2025 Acura ADX Review: Luxury Bargain or Just Another Compact SUV?”

Compact luxury SUVs are now as common as crossed forearms at a debate about breakfast tacos, and the 2025 Acura ADX is stepping into the arena needing to prove itself. Acura has a track record of mixing luxury accents with Honda’s famously bulletproof dependability, but in a crowded field of stiff competitors, it takes more than a snazzy emblem and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to make an impression.

Is the ADX the compact luxury SUV you’ve been waiting for, or is it one that gets lost in the pack? Now let’s get into the good, the bad, and the mildly frustrating.

Trim Levels: What Are You Getting?

Acura keeps it simple with the ADX lineup, offering three trims:

• ADX Base – Has some strong tech and luxury options, but might cause you to circle back
• ADX A-Spec – Some sportier styling and a tad more interior razzle-dazzle but no meaningful performance upgrades
• ADX Advance – The range-topping variant with every extra, but can it justify the investment?

Every trim comes with a standard suite of Acura safety tech and a modern infotainment system, but pricing escalates fast as you move up the ladder.

Performance: A Punchy SUV or Merely Okay?

Acura isn’t trying to break speed records with the ADX, but it does promise a balanced blend of power and efficiency. The engine choices are familiar—maybe too familiar.

• Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
• Horsepower: Around 270 hp (estimated)
• Torque: 280 lb-ft (estimated)
• Transmission: 10-speed auto
• Drive Options: Front-wheel drive, available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)

It provides a comfortable ride. I can’t say it feels particularly engaging, however. The Acura’s SH-AWD system does gain improved handling, especially in bad weather, but the steering is devoid of road feel, so active driving is a little dull. If you’re after an upscale SUV with a bit of pep, this might not be your top choice.

Interior & Tech: Premium Feel or Just a Fancy Honda?

Acura tries hard to make the ADX feel upscale, but there are moments when the cost-cutting is obvious.

• Infotainment: 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (and, halle-freakin’-lujah, not a trace of Acura touchpad garbage to be found)
• Digital Gauge Cluster: 10.2 inches and can be customized, but not as fancy as some of the others
• Materials: Blend of soft-touch surfaces and a few hard plastics that feel too Honda-like
• Seating: It’s comfortable for longer trips, but rear legroom is only “okay” for taller riders
• Cargo Space: Good for the class, but nothing to write home about

The A-Spec trim adds sporty red stitching and aluminum trim, while the Advance trim comes with open-pore wood and ventilated seats. It’s a tad nicer than a mainstream SUV, even if some competitors (hi, Genesis GV70) feel more upscale.

Fuel Economy: Respectable, Not Revolutionary

• FWD Estimated MPG: 24 city / 30 highway
• AWD Estimated MPG: 23 city / 28 highway

Those figures are solid for a turbocharged 4-cylinder, if not class-leading. Hybrid and electric competitors — among them, if fuel economy is a major consideration, more tempting alternatives — are waiting in the wings.

Competitors: Who’s Trying to Steal Acura’s Thunder?

The compact luxury SUV segment is a battlefield. The ADX is stepping into the ring against some serious heavyweights:

BMW X1

• Pros: More fun to drive, sharp good looks, high-quality interior
• Cons: More expensive, ride can be on the stiff side

Mercedes-Benz GLA

• Pros: Big-time brand appeal, high-end tech, plush cabin
• Cons: Cramped back seats, underwhelming base engine

Audi Q3

• Pros: Stellar infotainment; an upmarket interior; and a smooth ride
• Cons: Driving experience can be a bit on the bland side, and it’s not the most accommodating space

Genesis GV70

• Pros: Gorgeous styling, luxurious material quality, potent engine choices
• Cons: Not as well-known, the infotainment system takes getting used to

Lexus NX

• Pros: Reliable, efficient split-engine setup, excellent infotainment tech
• Cons: Not the most thrilling thing to drive, the touchpad interface is annoying

Three: The Acura ADX offers strong value, but its German and South Korean rivals are stretching the envelope on luxury and performance in circumstances that make the ADX seem a little too easy.

Our Verdict: Should You Buy the 2025 Acura ADX?

In our 2025 Acura ADX review you can see this is a good luxury SUV that gives you a strong combination of tech, comfort and reliability that Acura is known for. It’s great for someone who’s looking for a premium experience but doesn’t want to jump into the price tags of BMW or Mercedes.

And yet, it plays it a bit too safe. The interior, although nice, doesn’t wow. The driving dynamics is smooth and sure, but not inspiring. The execution is entirely competent but isn’t thrilling. If you’re searching for a comfortable and well-equipped SUV that won’t cost the earth, the ADX is certainly one to consider. If you desire something that feels truly special, you just may find it short on oomph.

Does the 2025 Acura ADX have your heart, or is another compact luxury SUV pulling you in? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!