If you want a ZDX, now is the time! (Also, my thoughts on the ZDX coming from Tesla)

[sourddom]

I just got a ZDX A-Spec, and since I came from Tesla, I got over $20k in offers if I leased; adding together the lease payments and the final buyout cost, it will cost about $45,000 for the ZDX (and that includes a $2,500 protection package from my dealer). I managed to get a full size, AWD, electric SUV with a 300+ mile range for less than I purchased my Model 3 for... absolutely bonkers.

This car handles much better than any SUV or crossover I have ever had thanks to the battery, and the technology is modern (compared to some competitors). I am a gadget kinda guy, and I love this thing.

Honda recently announced that the ZDX is among the vehicles that will receive Supercharger access this Spring, which likely means the NACS adapter is coming soon! The Tesla mobile charger is much better than the Honda portable charger, but I can't justify $300 for an adapter. I am hoping Honda distributes adapters for free as other have.

I have had only one issue - getting it to charge the first time I plug it in. If you use the portable charger, just make sure it starts pulsing before you walk away. Plugging it in with force seems to do the trick. It is slower to charge than my Tesla was, so I am having an electrician install a 50-amp outlet if my panel can handle it. I am a little frustrated that Honda does not sell other adapters, because I already have a 30-amp outlet that I was going to relocate for my Tesla; now I can't make any use of it.

I chose the A-Spec, which does not drive itself, but Tesla's full self driving really tanked last year so I wasn't really using it much off the highway anyway. However, the ZDX helps you steer; not only does it have lane keep assist and lane change assist (helps you avoid hitting someone in your blind spot), but the ZDX actively helps you stay centered in the lane. An absolutely wild feature, in my opinion, as it also detects and helps you avoid cars or trash cans on the side of the street while keeping you in your lane. It is not a hands-free vehicle, unless you get the S-Spec with blue cruise, but I am not missing Full Self Driving... I will report back the next time I take the turnpike, I might eat those words.

Having radar in this car is such a breath of fresh air coming from Tesla. Radar is the way to go, and it's a big reason why full self driving just doesn't work anymore - Tesla deactivated (and subsequently omitted) radar in their vehicles.

Not surprisingly, the build quality is leaps and bounds beyond Tesla. I finally feel like I am behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle, for nearly 2/3 the price of my Tesla.

 

[Billj]

Honda recently announced that the ZDX is among the vehicles that will receive Supercharger access this Spring

I really, really hope that happens. I bought mine last July and it was promised "by end of 2024". The GM Ultium-based cars got it mid-September, but for some reason the Honda/Acura was not included in that list. I found that very strange. (Equally strange the GM Ultium cars can plug-and-charge at EVgo and EVConnect, but we can only do that at EVgo).

For now you can "cheat". Get an adapter. I have the A2ZEV Typhoon Pro. Get the Tesla app and setup an account. Attach a credit card for billing. Lie in the app, tell it you are a Lyric with an adapter. The app will now tell you all the compatible (i.e. V3 and V4 superchargers) you can go to. (NOTE: the V2 super chargers are Tesla-only and will always be Tesla-only).

When you want charge pull up and open the app. Identify which particular charging stall you are at and hit "start charging". The app will tell you when to plug into the car. Plug into the car AFTER the app tells you to. Voila! I've done it multiple times.

The only real downside to this is the built-in route planning navigation software will not route you to SuperChargers, so I use ABetterRoutePlanner for that instead.

A note about cord lengths if you are at a V3 charger. They are SHORT. And our charging port is in the "wrong" location. You have to park to the right of the charging station you actually want to use, and park very very close to the charger, in order for the cord to reach. You end up taking two stalls, inconvenient unless there are a lot of empty stalls at the time.

A2ZEV is working on a NACS DC Extension Cable to fix this problem that we (and many other models, like Rivian) have with port location. Prototypes have been built and working and they are working on a production model now. The V4 super chargers have longer cords and do not have this problem.

As per charging networks I strongly advise EVgo (especially since we can plug-and-charge), Electrify America (bigger network) and ChargePoint (common at work places and hotels). And a Tesla account and an adaptor.

Welcome!