2026 Acura RSX Launches on Honda’s In-House EV Platform, Acura ZDX Discontinued

Quick Highlights:

• Acura ZDX discontinued after just one year, despite beating Cadillac Lyriq in early 2025 sales.
• Decision influenced by the federal $7,500 EV tax credit ending and slower EV adoption.
• 2026 Acura RSX set to debut on Honda’s in-house EV platform, built at the Ohio EV Hub.
• Acura is refocusing its lineup around the RSX, new hybrids, and SUVs.

The Acura ZDX is officially gone, and it had one of the shortest runs in the brand’s history. It debuted in the 2024 model year as Acura’s first all-electric SUV, aimed at competing with the Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla Model Y, and Genesis Electrified GV70.

Sales were solid—the ZDX even outsold the Lyriq in the first half of 2025—but Honda confirmed there will be no 2025 or 2026 models. The company said changing market conditions, customer interest, and its long-term product plans were the main reasons for stopping production.

The end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in September 2025 also played a role. The ZDX had counted on that incentive, plus strong lease deals, to attract buyers. Without them, Acura decided the SUV could no longer be offered.

Built in Tennessee, But Not for Long

The ZDX was assembled alongside its platform-mate, the Honda Prologue, at General Motors’ Spring Hill plant in Tennessee. While production of the Prologue will continue at GM’s Mexico facility for the 2026 model year, the ZDX’s exit will not affect plant workers. GM confirmed that Spring Hill will shift focus to building more Chevy Blazers and engines starting in 2027, ensuring no job losses from Acura’s withdrawal.

2026 Acura RSX Takes the Torch

Stepping in for the ZDX is the 2026 Acura RSX, a model aimed at reshaping Acura’s presence in the premium EV market. Unlike the ZDX, which was built on GM’s platform, the RSX uses Honda’s all-new in-house EV architecture. Production is set to start in the second half of 2026 at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, a facility focused entirely on electrified vehicles.

The RSX will also be Acura’s first software-defined model. It introduces the new ASIMO OS, which handles infotainment, driver-assistance systems, and other connected features. Over-the-air updates mean the SUV can improve and gain new functions over time, giving owners a vehicle that evolves after it leaves the showroom.

Acura ZDX vs. 2026 Acura RSX: Key Differences

Acura’s Hybrid Comeback

Together with the RSX, Acura is introducing hybrids back into the equation. The firm has not yet verified which models will receive electrified powertrains but it is believed that the MDX and the RDX will be among the most probable to get electrified powertrains.

This is to reflect a larger industry trend. Other brands such as Porsche, Nissan, and Stellantis have not been as fast to fully embrace EV but are adopting a hybrid to fill the gap in customer demand until the transition to electrification.

A Reshaped Lineup

With the Acura ZDX discontinued and the TLX sedan also leaving the catalog, Acura is realigning its lineup around SUVs, hybrids, and software-driven EVs. The RSX will serve as the flagship of this next phase, while the Prologue continues to anchor Honda’s side of the electric portfolio.

For shoppers, the short-lived ZDX is still available on some dealer lots, often with discounts approaching $30,000 off MSRP—a last chance to grab Acura’s first EV before it fades into history. But for the long-term story, the focus is firmly on the RSX and the brand’s new direction.

Sources: Honda/Acura official statements / Car and Driver – “Acura ZDX Production Ends“

Read More:

• Acura Just Killed the TLX and With It, Another Piece of the Sport Sedan Soul
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• Acura RSX Prototype EV Just Drew a Battle Line Against Cadillac Lyriq and Blazer EV