Alright folks, let’s talk about the modern automotive Hunger Games: the SUV and crossover marketplace. If you’re a new-car buyer today, you’re basically standing in a showroom (or on your couch, doom-scrolling) staring at 40 vehicles that all promise adventure, practicality, technology, and a personality—yet somehow look like variations of the same jellybean. It’s enough to make anyone long for the simpler days when your choices were “sedan,” “wagon,” or “something with fake wood on the side.”
This is where leasing earns its cape. As a lease customer, I know I’m only committing for about four years. If I love the vehicle, great—I’ll enjoy every kilometre until it’s time to move on. If I don’t? No panic. I can tap LeaseBusters, find someone happy to take over the lease, and move on with my life (and dignity) intact. That flexibility makes taking a chance on something new—like the all-new 2025 Acura ADX—a lot easier to swallow.
And yes, let’s address the elephant in the showroom right away. On the surface, the 2025 Acura ADX looks suspiciously like Acura’s take on the Honda HR-V. Please don’t say that out loud at an Acura dealership. You’ll be politely corrected, possibly escorted to the exit, and maybe offered an espresso while someone explains platform sharing in hushed, premium tones.
Here’s the reality: yes, the ADX and HR-V share some underlying architecture. That happens when you’ve got smart sister brands under one corporate roof. Toyota and Lexus do it. VW and Audi do it. Ford and Lincoln do it. Chevy and Cadillac do it. Sharing bones does not mean sharing souls. The HR-V is a practical, value-driven, mainstream crossover. The ADX is tuned, finished, and equipped to feel unmistakably premium. The ride is quieter, the suspension more composed, the cabin materials richer, and the technology far more generous. In short, one wears running shoes to work; the other wears Italian leather shoes and expects valet parking.
The ADX also drives like an Acura should. It feels sporty without being harsh, stable without being boring, and refined without turning into a rolling pillow. Acura’s engineers clearly spent time dialing in steering feel and road manners, and it shows. This thing feels confident on the highway and composed on rougher city pavement—something premium buyers absolutely notice, even if they can’t quite explain why.
And let’s talk about buyers for a moment. An Acura customer isn’t cross-shopping Hondas. They’re looking at BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Volvo. That puts the ADX squarely in the ring with vehicles like the BMW X1, Lexus UX, and Volvo XC40. In that company, the ADX fits right in—both in size and in overall attitude.
Where the ADX stumbles slightly in its rookie season is under the hood. There’s no hybrid option—for now. That gives the Lexus UX and Volvo XC40 a bit of an edge, especially for buyers who want efficiency without the full-EV commitment. Hybrids are the Goldilocks powertrain right now: no range anxiety, excellent fuel economy, and no lifestyle changes required. Those competitors deliver fuel consumption in the 33–40 mpg range, which translates to roughly 7.1 to 5.9 L/100 km. That’s real-world savings and fewer awkward gas station visits—because nobody wakes up excited to buy premium fuel.
Fearless prediction time: Acura will add a hybrid ADX by 2026, or 2027 at the very latest. It’s just too important not to.
For now, the ADX comes with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 190 horsepower. It’s torquey, responsive, and perfectly suited to daily driving. Fuel economy is decent rather than spectacular, but let’s be honest—premium buyers can afford the fuel. They just prefer not to waste it.
Acura keeps things refreshingly simple with three trims, all AWD:
- ADX AWD – $44,980
This is the “no apologies” base model. You get Acura’s full safety suite, a large infotainment screen, digital gauge cluster, premium interior materials, and all-wheel drive as standard. No penalty box vibes here. - A-Spec AWD – $46,980
This is where the personality kicks in. Sportier exterior styling, larger wheels, upgraded interior finishes, and a more aggressive look overall. It’s the trim you choose when you want your neighbours to know you didn’t just buy “the cheap one.” - Platinum Elite A-Spec AWD – $51,480
The full Acura experience. Ventilated seats, upgraded audio, head-up display, advanced driver assistance features, and every luxury bell and whistle Acura could reasonably bolt on. If you like checking every box, this is your trim. Thanks, as always, to CarCostCanada for making trim comparisons and pricing research painless.
Beyond the spreadsheets and specs, the ADX has some genuinely cool touches. The cockpit design feels modern and driver-focused, with loads of interactive tech that’s intuitive rather than overwhelming. There’s a standout interior colour option featuring orchid tones with blue suede accents that feels daring, upscale, and very un-mainstream. On the outside, the ADX wears sharp lines and athletic proportions that help it stand out in a segment full of “safe” designs.
Bottom line? The 2025 Acura ADX is a strong first-year effort that nails the premium feel, driving dynamics, and technology Acura buyers expect. A future hybrid option would make it even more compelling, but even as it stands, the ADX earns its place on any premium crossover shortlist—especially for lease customers who appreciate flexibility, value, and the freedom to try something new without long-term commitment.
James Matthews is the President, General Manager and Co-Founder of LeaseBusters. James launched LeaseBusters in 1990 and is considered one of Canada’s leading experts on new vehicle leases, lease-take-overs and vehicle lease (re)marketing. James can be reached directly at jmatthews at leasebusters.com
