If you’re looking at an Acura ZDX, odds are you’re wondering about one thing first: **how safe is Acura’s electric SUV in a crash**? Between IIHS ratings, NHTSA stars and a wall of acronyms like AcuraWatch 360+, it can be hard to decode what those scores actually mean for you and your family.
Quick takeaway
Overview: How safe is the Acura ZDX?
Acura ZDX safety snapshot
From a high level, the **Acura ZDX delivers the kind of crash protection you’d expect from a modern luxury EV SUV**. Federal regulators give it top marks, and IIHS data shows very strong occupant protection in most scenarios. The caveats are narrow but important: an **Acceptable (not Good) rating in the passenger‑side small overlap frontal test**, and earlier model‑year issues with headlight glare that owners should know about.
Model years matter
NHTSA crash-test results: 5-star Acura ZDX
Let’s start with the easy part: the **National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)** runs a straightforward 5‑star rating program. For the 2024 Acura ZDX, the story is simple – it’s a **clean sweep of 5‑star scores**.
2024 Acura ZDX NHTSA crash-test ratings
Summary of federal crash-test scores for the Acura ZDX.
| Test category | Overall rating | Key takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5 / 5 | Top rating; strong performance across frontal, side and rollover scenarios. |
| Frontal crash – overall | 5 / 5 | Both driver and front passenger earn 5‑star frontal protection. |
| Side crash – overall | 5 / 5 | Maximum score in barrier and pole impacts for front and rear seats. |
| Rollover resistance | 5 / 5 | Low rollover risk for a tall, heavy EV SUV. |
Higher is better. Five stars is the maximum rating in each category.
How to read NHTSA stars
Because the ZDX rides on a shared GM battery platform with a low center of gravity, it benefits from a **planted stance and wide footprint**, both of which help its rollover score. For family buyers comparing it to midsize gas SUVs, that alone is a meaningful upgrade.
IIHS crash tests: Where the ZDX shines and where it falls short
The **Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)** digs deeper than NHTSA, running updated moderate-overlap, small-overlap and side tests that tend to separate the truly outstanding vehicles from the merely good. The ZDX lands in that second bucket: **very good overall, but not an award winner**.
Acura ZDX IIHS crash-test performance
Crashworthiness is strong overall, with one key exception.
Where the ZDX excels
- Moderate overlap front (updated): Good – Strong structure, low injury measures for both front and rear occupants.
- Side impact (updated): Good – Good protection for driver and rear passenger; only a small uptick in driver torso forces.
- Seat belts & child restraints: Good – Effective belt reminders and easy‑to‑use LATCH anchors help real‑world safety.
Where it holds back
- Small overlap front: Acceptable – Passenger‑side test allowed the dummy’s head to slip between front and side airbags, raising risk of contact with the A‑pillar.
- Headlights: Poor–Good depending on build – Some early 2024 builds had excessive low‑beam glare, dragging the headlight score down.
- No IIHS safety award – Because of the Acceptable small-overlap result and inconsistent headlights, the ZDX misses Top Safety Pick status.
In real terms, that **Acceptable small-overlap rating doesn’t mean the ZDX is unsafe**. It means IIHS saw a specific failure mode in one demanding scenario: a severe offset crash where only a small portion of the front clips a barrier. Other scores – especially the updated moderate overlap and side tests – show the structure doing an excellent job protecting occupants.
The small-overlap nuance
Headlights, visibility and why the IIHS dinged the ZDX
One unexpected weak spot for early Acura ZDX builds is **headlight performance**. IIHS found that some 2024 ZDX units produced **too much low‑beam glare**, earning a Poor headlight rating and helping keep the SUV off the Top Safety Pick list.
- Early 2024 ZDX A‑Spec and Type S models were criticized for **glare from the LED low beams**.
- Trim and build-date differences mean headlight scores can range from **Poor to Good**, depending on configuration.
- High seating position and thick rear pillars mean **rearward visibility is only average**, making the standard camera systems more important.
Used‑buyer tip: check the headlights at night
The good news: the ZDX backs up those imperfect sightlines with **standard surround‑view cameras, parking sensors and blind‑spot monitoring on many trims**. That doesn’t fix glare issues, but it does help in low‑speed, close‑quarters situations where big EV SUVs often get into trouble.
Advanced safety tech: AcuraWatch and AcuraWatch 360+
Crash tests tell you how a vehicle behaves **after** things go wrong. The ZDX’s **AcuraWatch** and **AcuraWatch 360+** suites are designed to keep you out of trouble in the first place. They’re standard or widely available across the lineup, and for used buyers they’re one of the strongest arguments in the ZDX’s favor.
Key Acura ZDX safety & driver-assistance features
Most of these systems are standard on 2024 ZDX models.
Forward collision & AEB
Forward collision warning scans the road ahead and can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or lessen a crash with vehicles, pedestrians and even bicyclists.
Lane keeping & cruise
Lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control help keep the ZDX centered and a safe distance from traffic, reducing fatigue on long highway drives.
Blind‑spot & cross‑traffic
Blind‑spot monitoring, rear cross‑traffic alert with auto braking, and rear automatic braking watch for vehicles or pedestrians when you’re backing or changing lanes.
AcuraWatch 360+
On Type S models, AcuraWatch 360+ adds hands‑free cruise on certain highways and enhanced lane centering, similar in concept to GM’s Super Cruise.
Surround‑view cameras
Multi‑angle and top‑down camera views make parking and tight maneuvers easier, which is especially useful given the ZDX’s thick rear pillars.
Child-seat friendly
IIHS rates the LATCH anchors as Good for ease of use, making it simpler to install child seats correctly – a big plus for families.
Crash avoidance scorecard
How the Acura ZDX compares to rival EV SUVs on safety
The ZDX doesn’t exist in a vacuum. If you’re shopping used luxury EV SUVs, you’re probably also looking at options like the **Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60/GV70 Electrified, Audi Q6 e‑tron or Kia EV9**. Safety can be a tiebreaker, so it’s worth seeing where the Acura stands.
Acura ZDX vs key EV SUV rivals: safety snapshot
High-level view of how the ZDX stacks up against common alternatives on crash tests and safety awards (based on 2024–2025 data where available).
| Model | NHTSA overall | IIHS crashworthiness | IIHS safety award? | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura ZDX (2024) | 5★ | Good overall, Acceptable small overlap | No | Strong structure and AEB, but small-overlap and headlight issues hold it back. |
| Cadillac Lyriq | 5★ (most trims) | Good in major tests | Often Yes | Shares similar platform but has earned IIHS recognition on many trims. |
| Genesis GV60 / GV70 Electrified | Data varies | Generally Good | Yes | Several Genesis EVs earn Top Safety Pick thanks to strong crash tests and lighting. |
| Kia EV9 | 5★ (selected) | Good in most tests | Yes on many trims | Family‑oriented EV SUV with strong scores and three rows of seating. |
| Honda Prologue | 5★ (projected/early) | Similar to ZDX | No | Platform sibling; also misses IIHS award due to small‑overlap and headlight performance. |
Always confirm the exact model year and trim – ratings can change with updates.
What this means for you
Shopping a used Acura ZDX? Safety checklist
Because Honda and Acura have already pulled the plug on new ZDX production, the model is quickly becoming a **used‑only proposition**. That makes it even more important to know exactly what you’re buying from a safety standpoint.
Used Acura ZDX safety checklist
1. Confirm build date and trim
Use the driver‑side door jamb label and VIN decode to verify you’re looking at a 2024 ZDX and to confirm A‑Spec vs Type S. This can affect headlights, wheel/tire package and included safety tech.
2. Inspect headlight performance
Test the headlights on dark roads at low and highway speeds. Watch for excessive glare and check that high beams provide adequate reach without washing out road markings.
3. Check for accident history
Pull a history report and look for any prior **frontal or side impacts**, especially those that might have compromised the airbag system or high‑voltage battery enclosure.
4. Verify driver-assistance features
On the test drive, confirm that adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind‑spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking all initialize cleanly and don’t throw warning lights.
5. Evaluate child-seat fitment
If you have kids, bring your actual car seats. Make sure the **LATCH anchors are accessible** and that rear doors open wide enough for daily buckling.
6. Inspect tires and brakes
EVs are heavy, and stopping distances depend heavily on **tire condition and brake maintenance**. Uneven wear or budget replacement tires can degrade real‑world safety even in a 5‑star vehicle.
Don’t ignore software and recalls
How Recharged looks at Acura ZDX safety for used buyers
When a ZDX shows up in our orbit at Recharged, we don’t just glance at the Monroney sticker and call it a day. Every vehicle goes through our **Recharged Score** process, which combines **battery diagnostics, accident and title history, and an on‑road evaluation of safety systems** to give you a clearer picture than a standard used‑car listing.
Beyond the crash-test labels
Two ZDXs can have identical IIHS and NHTSA ratings on paper, but very different real‑world safety prospects if one has overdue tire, brake or suspension work. Our expert inspectors look for:
- Evidence of prior collision repairs, especially in structural areas.
- Non‑OEM windshields or camera misalignment that can affect lane‑keeping and AEB.
- Suspension or alignment issues that might compromise emergency maneuvers.
Battery, range and safety
The ZDX’s high‑voltage battery pack is part of the safety story. A compromised pack can change weight distribution or introduce fire risk in a crash. Our Recharged Score battery health diagnostics help spot degradation and abnormalities before you sign anything, and our team can walk you through what the results mean for both range and safety.
How Recharged can help
Acura ZDX safety & crash-test FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Acura ZDX safety
Bottom line: Should you trust the Acura ZDX on safety?
If you strip away the acronyms and test‑lab jargon, the **Acura ZDX is a very safe electric SUV with one or two rough edges**. Federal testing says it’s top tier. IIHS data shows robust protection in the crashes most people are likely to experience, even if a demanding small‑overlap test and finicky headlights keep it off the podium.
For a used‑EV shopper, that means you can **shop the ZDX with confidence**, provided you do your homework: confirm build details, test the headlights, and make sure all the safety systems are working as designed. If you want a guide through that process – or you’d just rather not decode crash-test charts on your own – **Recharged can help you compare options, understand the safety data and land on the right EV SUV for how you drive.**
