Acura is gearing up for to transition to all-electric powertrains, with a variety of EV models currently in the works – including several Cadillac rivals. Two of these of these models are expected in the 2026 calendar year, rivaling the Cadillac Optiq and Cadillac Vistiq. Acura’s first EV model, the ZDX, is currently based on GM Ultium technology, but is expected to retire after a single life cycle.
Acura’s EV transition began with the debut of the ZDX crossover in August of 2023. The ZDX is built on GM’s Ultium platform, which it shares with various Cadillac models, and offers customers a high-performance Type S variant that churns out 500 horsepower, earning it the title of most-powerful Acura SUV to date.
According to a recent report from Automotive News, the automaker plans to introduce its second all-electric model in 2026, marking the debut of Acura’s own in-house Honda e:Architecture platform. This second EV is expected to be a two-row, compact crossover, likely serving as a successor to the current RDX, and, as a result, its main competition will likely be the Cadillac Optiq.
Another all-electric crossover, reportedly previewed at Acura’s national dealer meeting earlier this year, is slated to launch later in 2026. This third model is anticipated to be similar in size to the Acura MDX, offering three rows of seating. Whether it will carry the MDX nameplate or introduce an entirely new nameplate remains to be seen, but either way, it looks to rival the Cadillac Vistiq.
In addition to these two new crossovers, Acura has also confirmed the development of a new electric sports car, expected to arrive in 2027 or 2028. Offered as a low-volume halo car set to replace the now-discontinued NSX hybrid, the upcoming all-electric Acura performance machine has no clear rival from GM.
Looking even further ahead, Acura has plans to electrify most of its lineup by 2030. That said, it remains to be seen whether Acura will venture into the all-electric sedan segment.
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Pulled down by the Lyriq's very poor performance.
Some 51 million airbags inflators are dodging a recall for now.
Because of a mounting bolt that's too long.
No other incentives offered on all-new, next-gen three-row crossover.
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The Japanese are doing their famous practice: copy your rival's product, then make it cheaper and sell it. So the Ultium deal with the Honda Prologue has concluded with Honda now making their own copies. But those copies can never outsell the Cadillac originals!
They rarely if ever innovate, just copy, sell for less, no unions, no DEI, and market to women in a matriarchal society.
dumbest thing anyone will write on internet today
What potent stuff are you smoking? The Japanese are major innovators especially in the automotive space. There was a time when Toyota and Honda were leading a war on hybrid tech with each other (Toyota Prius Parallel Hybrid System vs Honda Insights Integrated Motor Assist System). Ultimately, Toyotas tech won and even Honda uses a Series/Parallel setup very similar to Toyotas system. The reason we have hybrids now is because of Toyota and GM is only now talking about reintroducing them here (even though they have the tech in China). They also innovate in other smaller tech like around view cameras which Nissan pioneered. This is why I was really taken aback by the Japanese brands reluctance to move forward with EVs. I'm sorry to break it to you. But if I was to buy a complex hybrid vehicle, it would be a Toyota hands down as they are the best in the business and have been doing it for more than two decades already. I would also consider a GM hybrid but not on the first year it comes out.
Just another standard fictional buzz word statement.
I guess ultimatum is too expensive for them.
The key will be is the software any better than GM’s?
Two years is also currently a long time in terms of battery chemistry development. I love my Lyriq, but in three years if GM remains glued to their proprietary LiCoMnAl Ultium™️ chemistry that has a not that great charging curve due to internal heating, there will be other brands with better charging chemistries as competitors.
I like the Acura version , but the problem I have with this tired old badge engineering tactic is that sitting in one I can't unsee the GM from it. Being a current GM product owner I can recognize it all over the interior here in the switches, the exterior mirrors (which look identical to the ones in my XT5), the general operation of the vehicles features, and even the sound of the door chime. And for that, I would prefer the Lyriq. I also like the look of the Lyriq more.
That being said, I would prefer to see Honda make Honda EVs and not badges to go on GM EVs.
The federal government has been screwing up the auto industry since 1970. The EV the latest example.