On September 30, 2025, Honda confirmed they’ve pulled the plug on Acura ZDX EV production – effective immediately, with no 2026 models in sight. It’s a gut punch for fans of this GM-co-developed crossover, which clocked in with solid sales (over 10,000 units in the first half of 2025 alone) thanks to that juicy $7,500 incentive. But here’s the silver lining: this isn’t the end of Acura’s EV story. It’s a pivot toward something way more authentic – the in-house Honda-built Acura RSX EV, slated for a 2026 debut that could redefine the brand’s luxury electric lineup. Let’s break down what went wrong with the ZDX, why it’s happening now, and how the RSX is gearing up to steal the show.

The Acura ZDX EV’s Short Ride: A Solid Starter, But Not the Finish Line

Launched last year as Acura’s first full EV, the ZDX was a respectable entry – quick off the line with up to 500 hp in Type S trim, roomy enough for family hauls, and loaded with GM’s Ultium platform perks like a 102 kWh battery good for around 300 miles of range. I remember test-driving one; the acceleration pinned you back, and the cabin felt premium, but yeah, you could sense the Chevy Blazer EV DNA under the skin. It wasn’t “pure Acura” – more like a badge-engineered bridge to get Honda/Acura into the EV game while they built their own tech.

Sales weren’t the villain here – the ZDX outsold pricier rivals like the Cadillac Lyriq early on, fueled by aggressive discounts stacking up to nearly $30,000 off MSRP in some deals. So why call it quits after one model year? Acura’s pointing to “market conditions,” code for the broader EV slowdown, policy whiplash, and that impending tax credit cliff. With the $7,500 federal perk expiring next week as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” keeping the ZDX afloat without it would’ve meant hiking prices or bleeding profits on incentives. Plus, it’s built in the U.S. at GM’s Spring Hill plant, dodging those new Japanese import tariffs that stung other models. Smart move? Maybe – but it leaves inventory thin (just a few hundred left nationwide) and existing owners with full warranty support, at least.

Rumors swirled about the Honda Prologue – its budget-friendly twin on the same Ultium bones – facing the same fate, but nope: Honda’s keeping Prologue production rolling in Mexico for 2026 and beyond. That’s a relief for mainstream EV shoppers eyeing a three-row family hauler with up to 296 miles of range in 2025 updates.

Market Mayhem: Why the EV Tax Credit’s Demise is a Game-Changer

Timing is everything, and this ZDX announcement feels laser-focused on the calendar. The federal EV tax credit – up to $7,500 for qualifying new rides like the ZDX – sunsets on September 30, 2025, sparking a mad dash at dealerships this month. August sales spiked as buyers raced to lock in the deal, but post-credit? Expect a chill. It’s part of a bigger rollback under the Trump admin’s energy bill, hitting clean vehicle perks hard and joining a wave of automakers (Stellantis, Nissan, Toyota) rethinking aggressive EV ramps.

For Acura, ditching the ZDX clears the deck without stranding buyers – they’re even throwing end-of-line discounts up to $20,000 on remaining stock. It’s pragmatic: focus resources on hybrids and the true-blue EVs Acura can own end-to-end, rather than propping up a GM hand-me-down in a subsidy-starved market.

Enter the Acura RSX EV: Honda’s Homegrown Hero for 2026

Buckle up – Acura’s not waving the white flag; they’re revving toward the RSX EV, a compact premium crossover that’s 100% Honda from the ground up. Unveiled in prototype form at Monterey Car Week back in August, this bad boy resurrects the RSX name (remember that feisty 2000s Integra successor?) for a sleek, coupe-like SUV that’s smaller than the ZDX but punches with performance cred.

Built on Honda’s new global EV platform at the Ohio EV Hub – a flexible factory churning out ICE, hybrids, and batteries – the RSX rolls off the line with the Integra in late 2025, hitting dealers in the second half of 2026. Expect a dual-motor AWD setup with a low-slung battery for sharp handling, Brembo brakes, and sport-tuned suspension that nods to Acura’s “Precision Crafted Performance” ethos. Range? Honda’s tight-lipped, but the 0 Series architecture suggests 300+ miles, plus ultra-fast charging.

The real magic? ASIMO OS, Acura’s brainy new infotainment that learns your habits for personalized vibes – think adaptive climate, route prefs, and even drive modes that evolve with you. Layer on a full ADAS suite with Honda Sensing upgrades, and you’ve got a tech-forward ride that feels like the future, not a borrowed one. Styling-wise, it’s got that rakish fastback roof, flared arches, and a full-width taillight bar echoing the NSX – all in eye-popping hues like Propulsion Yellow Pearl.

Priced around $50,000 to start, the RSX isn’t chasing volume; it’s aiming for enthusiasts who want Acura soul in EV form. With a production reveal possibly at the LA Auto Show this November, it’s the perfect rebound from the ZDX blues.

ZDX vs. RSX: How Acura’s EV Shift Measures Up

The RSX isn’t just a replacement; it’s an upgrade – ditching the “feels like a Chevy” critique for genuine Acura flair.

Acura’s Road Ahead: Hybrids, EVs, and a Balanced Bet

Zapping the ZDX frees Acura to double down on what works: hybrids like the upcoming electrified RDX and MDX refreshes, plus the RSX as their EV flagship. It’s a savvy play in a market where full EVs are cooling (global slowdown, policy flux), but electrified options are surging. Honda’s all-in on the 0 Series for long-haul EV dominance, and Acura’s tagging along with premium twists.

Source-motortrend

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