Acura discontinued the ZDX EV after one year
Acura took a gamble by entering the electric vehicle segment, but it backfired so severely that the company was compelled to discontinue its sole EV in the lineup. Based on General Motors’ Ultium vehicle architecture that underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and Honda Prologue, the Acura ZDX EV made its production debut in early 2024.
Fast-forward to September 2025, Honda announces it has ended the production of the ZDX. Why did the Japanese automobile manufacturer decide to discontinue production of its luxury EV? We find out.
Consumers Ditch ZDX for Honda Prologue
Acura ZDX
Kristen Brown
Honda, in many ways, sabotages its own product, the Acura ZDX, with the Prologue. This EV is also based on the GM platform. Due to the massive price difference, customers opted for the practical Honda EV over the luxury one. The Prologue has experienced a significant increase in demand, selling over 15,000 units in the US, compared to the ZDX’s 10,335. One of the Prologue’s key advantages is its affordability, with a starting price of $47,400, while the ZDX starts at $64,500. Although the performance-oriented Acura offers a higher power output of 358 horsepower compared to the Prologue’s 220 horsepower, the price difference of over $17,000 makes it difficult to justify.
Uncertainty Over Federal EV Tax Credits
The U.S. EV market faces uncertainty as federal tax credits of up to $7,500 are set to expire on September 30, 2025. These incentives, created under the Inflation Reduction Act, made EVs more affordable and boosted adoption, but their future depends on Congress and upcoming administrations. Similarly, Honda ended production of the Acura ZDX, showing how market and policy shifts directly affect EV survival.
Underwhelming Sales Performance
Tesla
After a year on the market, the Acura ZDX fell short of Honda’s expectations in the luxury EV segment. Year-to-date sales through June 2025 totaled just 10,335 units, a modest figure compared to rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Chevrolet Equinox EV. Struggling to gain market share in such a competitive segment, the ZDX was quickly withdrawn from production.
From GM Hand-Me-Downs to Acura’s Own EV Platform
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Another reason to halt production of the ZDX electric vehicle was that it lacked its original identity, as it closely resembled GM’s EV architecture. The ZDX lacks a distinctive Acura character, prompting the Japanese company to decide that its next electric vehicle, the 2026 RSX, will be built on a new in-house platform. The RSX is set for production in late 2025, with sales starting in 2026 and will reflect Acura’s luxury, performance, and design, along with advanced software (ASIMO OS). The automaker is expected to address the limitations of its previous strategy with the ZDX partnership through GM’s platform.
