The Acura ZDX LA Auto Show Preview: A New Revolution in Style or is it an Assault on Your Ocular Nerves

A Question for the ages! Have you seen the revolutionary design direction of Acura via the uber-controversial ZDX five seat pseudo SUV/cum crouching, growling and ferocious tiger? While most people just saw the X6 that has always looked a bit too squished, it is easy to see that the ZDX looks hunkered down and ready for action. This is the closest any SUV has come to being a true sports car.

What one person calls cool (perhaps a highly stylized SUV with all the comforts of a regular SUV mixed with the utmost in automotive style both inside and out) is not necessarily what someone else thinks is cool. Let me tell you, this Acura ZDX had better make peace with all of the people who really don't like the looks as they really need to catch up to its new 21^st century design aesthetic. In truth it is nothing less of a design revelation because it does the impossible. It turns the "mommy-fest" Acura MDX into something sexy and sensual. A sensual SUV? Yes, I said that.

While few people have of yet seen the Acura ZDX live in person or sat in it, any presupposition of unreliability or shoddy workmanship can be easily washed away with the knowledge that Honda Engineers allowed some of the work be done by Toyota Engineers as a courtesy and thanks for helping them out with a job for the International Space Station. Ask anyone in the auto industry and it is clear that Toyota and Honda still continue to overbuild their products. So much so that it appears even NASA trusts them.

Rarely has the launch of an SUV based model like the Acura ZDX managed to excite such a wide array of people. It is definitely going to be one of the hottest models to be launched at the L.A. Auto Show. As I already saw the ZDX at the Orange County Auto Show I can tell you that in person that SUV manages to look cooler than this any Acura ever did. Another issue with the ZDX as it only works well in darker colors. There is a shade of burgundy paint that shames even the most expensive Napa Valley Vineyard for design and flair.

Powered by a 300 horsepower 6 cylinder, the X6 is definitely an over-the-top power statement from the driver's of these vehicles. I find it so odd that aggressive, Type A personalities are drawn like moths to a flame towards the dealerships of BMW, Porsche and Audi.

Will the ZDX bring the same sorts of buyers to the rather more relaxed Acura brand? I say definitely. What could have been an utterly pointless left-field stylistic disaster has proven to be a car with a wonderful amount of purpose. This is the SUV for the woman who just sent her last child off to school or war in Iraq yet wants something nice and luxurious for long weeks and weekends away. I mean, why not? The kids are all gone...