The Acura ZDX Type S is the brand’s most powerful SUV, offering a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain with an estimated 500 horsepower. But how will it contend with late fall in the great state of Maine? Co-host Chris Teague found out this week, and he’ll share his findings in this episode.
Priced from around $70,000, the ZDX Type S features height-adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. Its muscular stance is enhanced by 22-inch wheels and available high-performance summer tires. But summer tires weren’t especially appropriate as Maine threw a wintery mix of snow and sleet at Teague as he drove Acura’s new battery-electric SUV built by General Motors. In fact, it includes Acura’s Hands Free Cruise (GM SuperCruise) and Automatic Parking Assist technologies alongside the AcuraWatch 360+ safety suite. How did the ZDX fare in Maine’s difficult conditions? Teague will have a full report.
In our other road test this week, host Jack Nerad reveled in his time behind the wheel of the Genesis G70 sports sedan. The test model was the top-end G70 AWD 3.3T Sport Prestige trim that delivers a blend of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology at a surprisingly reasonable price of $53,350, including a $1,250 destination charge. Powered by a robust 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the sedan boasts Brembo brakes and an electronically controlled suspension, making it feel delightfully agile.
The Sport Prestige package enhances the sleek sedan's appeal with Nappa leather seating, heated rear seats and steering wheel, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor, and a power trunk lid. Standard features include forward collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring, a 10.25-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium 15-speaker Lexicon audio system, and conveniences like heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and wireless charging. How much did Nerad love it? He’ll tell you in this report.
This week, Volkswagen and Rivian entered into a strategic partnership, and we’ll tell you what that could mean for each brand. For one of them, it could mean survival in the increasingly hostile EV landscape.
Honda has pulled the wraps off the new 2026 Passport SUV, and it is the most rugged Honda we’ve seen yet. The TrailSport version boasts an off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and steel skid plates. And for those who are rock crawling or dodging tree stumps, the TrailSport Elite offers the TrailWatch camera system, assiting drivers in seeing what they should be missing. We’ll give you more details and our reactions.
Waymo is expanding its robotaxi effort in Los Angeles while Tesla is facing regulatory hurdles in its own robotaxi initiative. We’ll have more on that as self-driving technology heats up. While we’re speaking of technology, one prominent player suggests automakers say goodbye to the cloud and embrace onboard computing and tech. We’ll have more on that fascinating development.
Our guest this week is equally fascinating. Srini Rajagopalan is head of OEM Customer Success at J.D.Power and an expert in the electric vehicle space. He will talk about the things carmakers must do to promote more sales of electric vehicles, and we’re certain you’ll enjoy hearing what he has to say.
So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com