Acura ADX vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Acura ADX, despite sharing its platform with the Honda HR-V, distinguished itself with unique Acura styling. Its striking pentagonal grille with diamond-patterned mesh, LED lighting, and sporty rear design elements like vent-like creases and dual exhaust outlets gave it a distinct presence. The ADX offered 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch options for A-Spec trims, and a range of six exterior colors, including exclusive options for A-Spec models. Inside, the ADX maintained Acura's premium feel with genuine leather in the A-Spec Advance trim, featuring a Red & Ebony color scheme that extended throughout the cabin. While some shiny black trim was present, it was textured to reduce fingerprints and glare. The ADX's pricing was competitive, and its premium look and feel exceeded expectations.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD and two battery sizes. The larger battery offered more power and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. Our XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, resulting in a total MSRP of $40,468. The bZ's design improved with body-color trim, and its interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console. The 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control, and the fabric seats had an upscale pattern. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. Overall, the bZ's design and interior improvements enhanced its appeal.

The 2025 Acura ADX came standard with FWD, with AWD available for an additional $2,000. It was powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While not the most powerful in its class, the ADX's power was sufficient for everyday tasks and offered a fun driving experience on twisty roads. It featured four drive modes—Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow—allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's characteristics. Visibility was excellent, and noise cancellation measures were effective. However, for those prioritizing fuel economy, competitors with hybrid powertrains offered better efficiency.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice of battery sizes and drivetrain configurations. The XLE FWD with a 57.7-kWh battery provided 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp and offered varying ranges. The bZ's regenerative braking system allowed for adjustable brake regeneration but lacked one-pedal driving capability. It excelled in urban environments with its instant torque but struggled with mid-range passing power on highways. The bZ's ride could be choppy on uneven surfaces, and its handling was not suited for spirited driving.

The 2025 Acura ADX featured premium materials throughout its interior, with leatherette seating surfaces on the base trim and genuine leather on the Advance Package. The A-Spec models added microsuede accents. The ADX offered heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with additional features like front-seat ventilation and power adjustments for the front passenger on A-Spec trims. The ADX provided ample headroom and legroom in the front row, surpassing competitors like the Lexus NX and BMW X1. Cargo space was competitive, with 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, and the Limited trim added ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and dual wireless smartphone chargers. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was limited. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a maximum of 56.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2025 Acura ADX featured a nine-inch center infotainment screen and a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charging pad, and a wi-fi hotspot as standard. The A-Spec models added rear USB-C ports, while the Advance Package included Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, HD Radio, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a unique "beosonic" app for sound customization.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display's placement and readability were criticized, but the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect system powered the native navigation and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2025 Acura ADX came equipped with the AcuraWatch suite, offering features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot information, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. The bZ's adaptive cruise control response was inconsistent, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but its headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.