Maybe not for speed but should have enough power to get out of its own way, merging into traffic or passing on Hwy. I like the car & most features (should have HUD) & like you thinks is good looking; it also has an easier "trunk" to load . I'm looking to replace 05 TSX, with which I have no problem merging or passing on highway. I guess I have to see the reviews, especially C&D.

 

Not sure what the reviewers are seeing in this car. Maybe Acura wined and dined them really nice and gave them cool SWAG.

If you took this $, there are tons of near luxury cars that going to be a much better value (think high end trims of all the non-luxury brands that compete with the RDX). The only place the ADX outshines those would be in bling.

 

They're likely comparing within the class and besides the underwhelming powertrain and oddly missing height adjustable passenger seat, it is a compelling attractive package at a good size.

With that being said, I feel like car reviews are always overwhelmingly positive initially and then the truth comes out over the next few months as they get more seat time/the little cash incentives for a good review is over.

 

TSP review is out


As expected, they didn't like the acceleration, which isn't surprising. From a start, the CVT makes it sound like it has a really tall first gear. An enthusiast car this is not, but I suspect that's by design. If you want something premium-ish and efficient, get an ADX. If you want something fun to drive and has more performance (and dare I say luxury-ish), get the RDX SH-AWD.

 

You beat me to it! I was coming on here to post this!

From the review that CVT is LOUD and obnoxious, also came off very underpowered which is disappointing. The 2.0T and 10AT would have transformed this car; otherwise it seems that it handles very well for what it is and is otherwise a pretty nice place to be in.

 

TBH this reviews was BS. It's an entry level car and they are saying B&O audio isn't good ahahah! Seriously? These guys never sat in an X1 to check the interior with 3rd class cheap plastics, audio and rattles.....that's all I can say! Sure, ADX is not wow, but in this segment it's much better than others.

 

One of the reviewers said the noise goes away in comfort mode.

 

When I test drove the ADX A-spec Advance, I thought the B&O system sounded a bit better than the ELS system in the RDX A-spec...

 

What did you think of the car overall -- road noise, handling, power, etc. Isn't the best audio system in the RDX only in the Advance & Aspec Advance? If so, then maybe it's not unexpected.

 

For what it was, I would have been happy with it. I had about 15 minute test drive and I didn't have any issues with the acceleration or the CVT but it definitely was not an RDX...I just traded in my lease on a 2022 RDX A-spec and was really considering the ADX Advance but when they offered the RDX A-spec at same price as the ADX Advance, I couldn't say no to that...

I should have also said that ELS in the RDX is no slouch by any stretch...

 

Wow. That sounds like an great deal. Was that a purchase or a lease?

 

Another lease.

 

A-spec/Advance/A-spec Advance all have the same 16 speaker 3D ELS audio system.

 

RIP Audi Q3? 2025 Acura ADX A Spec Is More Than Just a Re-badge! Review

Sam killed it in the intro...first 2 Minute summarizes the whole ADX!!

 

At 14:25, he says ADX A-Spec has an adaptive suspension and he can feel the difference when switching between comfort and sport. That does not appear to be correct at all. As far as I can tell the ADX suspension is fixed on all trims.

At 12:30, he says it has the same engine as HR-V which is also wrong.

 

LOLLL just when you thought Slow Sam didn't have much credibility, he manages to sink even lower.

 

IMO these guys are the most accurate reviewers on YouTube and I take their opinion on things to be the most credible or the most relatable to how I would experience things. I am not sure if they have a X1 review.

 

They did

 

Thank you for sharing this.

Jacob did mention the hard plastics in the X3...so again I stand by what I said earlier that these guys have the most credible reviews on YouTube IMO. Just because they weren't super blown away by the dressed up HR-V doesn't make them any less credible.

 

+1. This was probably mentioned before, but having B&O in a car doesn't necessarily make it audiophile quality. Many have also noted that the ELS system sounded better and was diteched mainly due to lack of brand recognition. With all the cost-cutting needed to get the ADX to its price point, it wouldn't surprise me if they had gone with lower quality components than those in the MDX / ZDX. How well the car's insulated also makes a difference, and with it being based on the HR-V and occassionally called out for road noise like the Integra / Civic makes their comments even more believable.

 

Exactly this! FWIW the Ford Ecosport has a 10 speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. That thing is a giant POS. Also a few people on here have said even in the MDX the Bang amd Olufsen sound system is a downgrade.

Car companies will pay higher end brands a royalty to use the name and then can pretty much use whatever the hell they want for speakers and components. It's the same idea with Hyundai vehicles using the Lexicon brand sound system which was initially exclusive to the Rolls Royce brand. I've never heard it in the Rolls but it sounded like absolute dog shit in the 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan.

The ADX is 55k Canadian + Taxes and fees. For reference the RDX topped out at 57k Canadian just 4 years ago. It's not cheap and fanboying gets nobody anywhere.

 

I have no doubt that they are one of the top reviewers out there. My point was that they are complaining about the Audio system. This is an entry level car and the fact that Acura gives B&O with 15+ speakers are worth praising. I am sure ADX has many flaws and it's not perfect. I have test drove X1, UX and A3. They are all "premium". They don't have wow factor and i just wanted to say that ADX falls very well in its category.
Finally, a base without a single option, X1 starts at CAD$51,500 vs, top trim ADX is at CAD$55K.

 

100% agreed!

 

$55K top level and X1 base model is $52K. So relatively not expensive but yes, car prices are crazy. Genesis G80 went from CAD$85K to CAD$90K in the last 12 months. Does it make sense?

 

55k is 55k irrespective of other vehicles and FWIW at 55k most people are likely cross shopping with upper models of mainstream brands.

They are reviewing the ADX in a vacuum, in and of itself the radio sounds terrible, they aren't saying it sounds terrible for 55k.

No it really does NOT make sense and slowly we are turning into Australia where paying over 100K for an economy car is normal. Just 6 years ago a Rav4 started at 27k, it starts at 39k now!

The new 4runner came out and my sister-in law drives a 2023 limited last gen model and she was interested in getting into a new one, I let her know it starts at fricken 64k and goes up to 90k now...AND they took out the V6 in lieu of a turbo 4......the automotive world genuinely needs a big reset or something. This is wild.

 

Some recent Reviews and comparisons...

https://motorweek.org/first-impressi...025-acura-adx/
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a64841...-drive-review/
https://www.caranddriver.com/acura/rdx-2026
https://driving.ca/reviews/acura-adx-rdx-model-trim

 

3rd one should say ADX, so fixed that.

4th one is interesting in that it says ADX's CVT is better than RDX's 10-speed. Well, we know that 10-speed is lousy.
They give an extra point to ADX because it's made in Mexico!

 

AHAHA I saw that. Beyond stupid....sorry my Canadian folks. That 's stupid and nonsense point.

 

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...st-test-review

 

I have seen 3-4 ADX on the road so far and honestly, it looks very cool. Acura has nailed the front...the rear is too similar to HRV. It got nice road presence. I will see if I can get an extended test drive from my dealer. We have production issue here. Dealer have 1-2 ADX and they are already sold.....they don't have ADX inventory

 

it has too much front overhang.

 

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...on-test-review

2025 Acura ADX A-Spec vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce: Who Do You Think You Are?

This pair of overtly sporty compact luxury crossovers asks you to be honest with yourself about what you actually want from such a car.
Scott EvansWriterWilliam WalkerPhotographerJun 13, 2025
When you’re deciding which new car to buy, you’re really asking yourself, “Why do I like these cars I’m considering?” It’s as much a question about your self-image as it is about practical considerations. Put another way, what are you going to do with your new car, and what is your new car going to do for you?

AI Quick Summary

The 2025 Acura ADX A-Spec is a balanced, practical choice with better fuel economy than the Alfa Romeo Tonale 2.0T, while the Alfa offers superior performance and driving excitement. We had to pick a winner, but which 1 is best is really up to each individual buyer and what's important to them.


It’s a very particular rabbit hole of introspection that leads someone to the admittedly small sporty compact premium crossover segment, but here you are. Maybe there are no hot hatches left that appeal to you. Maybe you like SUVs and are willing to spend more on a sportier, fancier model but still need something easy to park. However you got here, you’ll be deciding between the 2025 Acura ADX and the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale.

Field of 2

Few brands are really leaning into sportiness as a defining value anymore, and even fewer in the premium space (above mass market, below true luxury). Even fewer are going out of their way to inject enthusiasm into compact crossovers.

In 1 corner, we have Acura, which has somewhat recently refocused its identity on performance. The ADX is its smallest and least expensive SUV, derived from the well-established Honda HR-V and enhanced with considerably more power, amongst other alterations. It can be had with front-wheel drive if you need to save money, but we’re sampling the top-shelf A-Spec Advance trim with all-wheel drive. It rings in at $45,350 to start and $46,915 as tested owing to Acura’s strategy of bundling most options into its trim levels with few standalone extras for purchase. Incidentally, it’s the most expensive ADX you can buy.

For that money, you get a 1.5-liter turbo-four making 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. It’s hooked to a continuously variable automatic transmission with a performance mode that fakes gear changes.

In the other corner, there’s Alfa Romeo, which has staked its reputation on performance for well over a century. The Tonale is its least expensive model in the U.S. and has a near-identical twin in the Dodge Hornet (the Alfa was the original, for what it’s worth). It comes exclusively with all-wheel drive and can be had with an even more powerful and efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain if you add 10 grand to the starting price.

We’re keeping the MSRP down by zhuzhing up the gas-powered base model with the Veloce (Italian for “fast”) package, which includes electronically adjustable dampers and a bevy of comfort and convenience options that bring the $38,490 starting price up to $46,625 as tested. Apropos of nothing, a fully loaded Tonale is nearly $59,000.

Skipping the pricey PHEV, you still get a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder good for 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Its automatic transmission has real gears, nine of them in total.

Numbers Game

As each of these little buggers is hanging its hat on performance, let’s get that out of the way 1st, and we’ll keep it short. The Alfa absolutely mops the floor with the Acura, objectively speaking.

Pick your instrumented test, and the Tonale comes out ahead, usually well ahead. It’s 2.2 seconds quicker to 60 mph and 1.73812 seconds quicker through the quarter mile. That’s what an extra half liter of displacement and quicker shifting will do for you.

The ADX’s 240-pound weight advantage isn’t enough to close the gap in braking, either. The Tonale stops a full 10 feet shorter from 60 mph.

The Acura at least closes the gap in steady-state cornering, coming within 0.01 average lateral g of the Alfa. The delta opens right back up on our figure-8 course, though, where the Alfa completes a lap 0.9 second quicker while pulling 0.06 greater average g.

The only objective test in which the ADX bests the Tonale is EPA-rated fuel economy, and consequently, range. Here, it’s the Alfa that’s blown out of the fast lane with the Acura posting 25/30/27 mpg city/highway/combined and 378 miles of range to the Alfa’s 21/29/24 mpg and 324 miles driving range.

It’s worth pointing out you can get the Alfa up to 29 mpg combined, 360 total miles of range, including 33 miles of electric-only driving range by paying for the PHEV model, but it starts at $48,030.

Talk Sporty to Me

Given the performance gulf, you should be unsurprised to learn the Alfa feels sportier than the Acura, too. The difference on the road, though, isn’t as extreme until you’re really hammering on these SUVs.

Here’s the thing about the ADX: It feels pretty sporty in short bursts. Stomp on the throttle, and it scoots. Take a turn with some speed, and it handles sharply. It puts up a convincing performance, right up until you hit about 80 percent of its capability.

Driven beyond that, it falls on its face. Keep it floored for more than a few seconds, and you realize the initial acceleration drops off quickly, and manually “shifting” the CVT is only useful on twisty roads. Really throw it into a corner, and it flops over. If you’re buying this to replace your Integra, you’ll be disappointed. Someone upgrading from an HR-V, though, will be thrilled.

The Alfa, on the other hand, wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s sporty in every situation. The acceleration doesn’t slack off as the revs and speed climb, not until you’re well past the legal limit. It’s no muscle car, but it feels quicker than any compact SUV needs to be.

It’s no sports car, either, but you wouldn’t know it in the corners. Chuck it in, and the Tonale handles like an Alfa, not an SUV. You can drive it as hard as you’d drive a Giulia Quadrifoglio and not faze it. If the driving experience is what matters to you, the Alfa is the only choice in its class.

In all likelihood, though, limit handling is not the only thing on your shopping list. As a consequence of its handling capabilities, even with its two-mode dampers set to comfort, the Alfa rides firmer than the Acura. It’s an acceptable ride quality, to be sure, but certainly less plush during a commute or road trip. The ADX also tries harder at being a premium, luxury-adjacent product and as a result is a little quieter inside on the highway.

The Rest of the Car

Performance is the only characteristic in which these two cars are so clearly differentiated. In every other factor we investigated, we found two vehicles from opposite ends of the Earth somehow extremely similar and with strengths that always seemed to offset their weaknesses when compared against one another.

Take design. We think the Alfa is without question the prettier car on the outside, though Acura’s done a commendable job of beautifying the homely HR-V. On the inside, though, we found the Acura to be richer and more attractive, particularly as you move rearward from the dashboard. Then again, the Alfa’s seats were more comfortable.

Similarly, we find the Acura’s wider, more open cargo area preferrable to the Alfa’s narrower space with its adjustable floor height. Then again, we’d much rather put friends and family in the back seat of the Alfa because, despite both being tight on legroom, the Acura’s floor is much higher and puts your knees closer to your chest.

Then there’s the tech. While we like the infotainment software in the Alfa better than that in the Acura, the Italian instrument cluster is a user nightmare. Two different physical buttons in 2 different places control it, along with menus buried in the touchscreen. Trying to change anything on the digital cluster is a treasure hunt at best. The Tonale does at least offer both USB-A and USB-C ports, so you don’t have to buy new charging cables. Acura went all in on USB-C.
Here, too, the difference in trim levels makes itself known. The ADX comes standard with the AcuraWatch suite of active and passive driver aids—everything from adaptive cruise control to excellent lane centering and blind-spot monitoring. This loaded model gets a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and auto high-beams.

The Tonale, meanwhile, isn’t as well equipped. It gets adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring and a basic lane keeping system. If you want better, you need to pony up for the $1,250 Active Assist package, or if you really want the best, buy a more expensive trim level and pop for the $2,000 Active Assist Advanced package. Now, though, you’re in for thousands of dollars more than the Acura.

How to Choose

With each flawed in some ways and outperforming its competition in others, deciding between the two was far more difficult than we’d anticipated. Though ostensibly aimed at the same customer, each chases a different use case. It forces the buyer to decide whether they really want a hot hatch on stilts or a more practical grown-up car.

We’re not going to tell you to get the Tonale because it’s full of character and more fun in a corner. We’re also not going to tell you to get the Acura, despite its performance deficit, just because it gets better fuel economy and no one takes their compact premium crossover to the track. It’s up to you to decide what kind of buyer you are. If the driving experience matters most to you, get the Alfa. For all other, more rational considerations, the Acura is our winner.

2nd Place: 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce

Pros

• Sportiest of its kind
• Real looker
• Has personality

Cons

• Worse on gas
• Middling technology features
• Louder inside

Verdict: The better choice for the hot-hatch graduate looking for a compact premium crossover that’s rewarding to drive.
1st Place: 2025 Acura ADX A-Spec

Pros

• Richer and quieter interior
• Better on gas
• Better, more accessible tech

Cons

• Loses composure when driven hard
• Worse rear seat
• No personality

Verdict: The better all-around choice for the compact premium crossover shopper, even if it’s not as exciting.

 

Makes me wonder if the ADX will move enough units to make it worth Acura offering a Type-S version...

 

Even if Acura sells 100K ADXs, the only way they will offer a Type S version would be if Honda made a Type R version of the HRV. Without the mothership footing the bill, the chances of Acura having the resources to build a low volume niche performance subcompact crossover might as well be zero. Hell, we don't even have an RDX Type S (which would be more profitable) and there's already a viable segment in the market for that.

 

I really doubt they are trying to go after the performance crowd with this one.

They are really going after someone that wants the Acura badge, maybe a few superficial luxuries, and nothing else.

After sitting in one at the dealer, it's a real head-scratcher for me. There is no way I'd buy this car. If I wanted to pay less than an RDX, I would rather spend money on a Mazda or a Subaru.

If it does well, I obviously don't know how to read markets.

Then again, the YouTube reviewers seem to be super positive on this. The only explanation I have is that Acura must have spiked the snacks and drinks before sending them on a test drive.

 

If a Type-S did happen, they would most likely just give it the 2.0T with the RDX / TLX tune and call it a day. Thus far, other Type-S models have recouped their costs by sharing parts with a platform / stable mate, and Acura is also quite averse to having lower models step on the next higher up's toes, so SH-AWD would definitely be out of the question. So the question becomes, how many ~270hp sub-compacts are out there for it compete against for it to be worth their investment? And if they did partake, it would likely crush all the ~250hp entries out there. But my guess is they're perfectly happy with being the caboose in this segment, as with their other models.

 

I haven't been in one yet but have seen them on the lots, none on the road yet. I am with you and I still don't get the point of this car, as there are some better comparable options "a step down" and you can get the added bonus of a hybrid if you so desire e.g. Mazda CX-50. If they would have dropped a Honda hybrid powertrain in this ADX than I could see the point.

 

My aunt got one last month or so as a downsize from her Highlander now that my cousins don't need to be driven around any more. She ended up buying one in the exact same spec my mom was looking at (A-Spec Advance, Urban Gray/Red). Thought my mom was going to stick with getting one still, but she saw a commercial for the new VW Tiguan and is more intrigued with that now. My parents are consolidating to one car so it's been a struggle of finding something close to the size of my mom's current EX35 with also enough space that my dad won't feel cramped when he has to drive/ride in it.

 

Hasn't this sort of been the case for almost all Acuras? They play in the premium space that sits in between the mainstream offerings below and the luxury offerings above, only now we are seeing mainstream brands starting to encroach into the premium segment.

 

No, and as you said "only now" are we starting to see what was once considered to be a step down being damn near on par with it (still model-specific, though, as I wouldn't say that the flagship MDX doesn't punch up a bit...as well it should). But prior to now there was no denying that a TLX wasn't more premium than an Accord, etc. But with this ADX and Integra, can't say the same...even for entry level into the brand models they are still lacking in many ways.