NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Which Design Is More Polarizing? Acura ZDX Or BMW X6?

Whether you like or hate the X6 (and I'm not getting into it, that topic has been beaten to death on here), it's better looking than the Prius-on-stilts ZDX. I don't think I've ever been so let down by a reveal.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 12:44:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

BMW doesn't give a damn what Acura does and the X6 is an excellent SAV.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 12:51:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Geez . . . it's like trying to pick your favorite child; they're both ugly. At least the X6M can run fast: I think I'd choose that one.

— chonnes (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 12:53:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10   

I'm going to have to go with the ZDX; it's just more appealing to me.

— Jordanski (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:02:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMW looks waaaaaaaay better....The Acura looks like a car

— NISSANINFINITI (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:11:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

I'm asking what vehicle has the more controversial DESIGN.

Not which design you prefer. We asked that question already.

Of course anyone in their right mind would love the performance of the X6M.

Do NOT take into account the DRIVE of the car, just the design.

And tell us which design effects the BRAND more negatively.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:16:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I saw this comment in the PC World forum (regarding the upcoming Zune HD):

If you can't innovate, imitate.

I guess this is what Acura has done here. ;)

— nite41 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:24:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

As far as looks are concerned, IMO, the X6 looks more grown-up and mature. As if it's been in this game for quite some time etc etc..
The ZDX looks like a new-kid-on-the-block.

— nite41 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:27:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I'm surprised neither of them broke the camera!

This is like voting on which kid with Down Syndrome looks the most normal.

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:28:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

The X6 will effect BMW less negatively than the Acura. The Acura brand is toast as far as design goes, like someone said above, all they can do is imitate the already questionable X6 design. Acura has been driven into the ground in many many ways, and not in a good way... I still think the X6 is more polarizing since it is a surprise BMW so directly attacked the Infiniti FX. Acura needs to focus on their current lineup before expanding.

— CarCrazedinCali (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:33:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Acura's 28 year old ZDX Designer



It was the culmination of a dizzying ride for Ms. Christensen. Four years ago, she was hired by the company right out of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif.

Ms. Christensen is a 28-year-old exterior designer for Acura. Her baby was the ZDX, a sleek, genre-defying four-door crossover. It was the first unique product from Acura’s new, dedicated design studio in Torrance, Calif.

Her husband, Jason Wilbur, 33, is a Honda designer. He styled the FC Sport concept, unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:57:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think the X6 is more polarizing. The Acura is a cleaner and safer design. The X6 is a bit more daring and more over the top. People will tend to either love it or hate it more than the Acura. With the Acura people will not really love it nor will they really hate it as much.

— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 2:02:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Neither. If you consider this polarizing then you have your head in the sand as to the things in reality that are truly polarizing. These designs are only a rough cut into the beginning of a new trend. The De Mc Mansioning of America. That includes the De Big Boying of vehicles America. Smaller gets bigger, and bigger gets smaller to meet one day in the future harmoniously at a point of engineering perfection. Hopefully with an electric powertrain that can fully meet everybodys dreams.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 2:12:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I think ZDX is more rational and beneficial for the Automaker. As ZDX would compete against Infiniti EX35, Audi Q5, MB GLK, Volvo XC60...etc and will also go against the upper category consist of FX35 and X6 xdrive35i, if it gets current top of the line Honda mechanicals. 300BHP V6, SH-AWD and all the technology.
So ZDX can possibly compete against two categories and also will not face competition from within the brand unlike X6 which only competes against FX, Cayenne and also RR sport(top sport SUV category) and faces competition from within as well. X5.

On design i think both are nearly equal to me but the X6M is slightly better and more rounded looking.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 6:12:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I'd have to go with the X6, that beak on the Acura reminds me of Bernie Madoff's nose.

On a different note, The world performance car of the year is...The Nissan GT-R. I'm certain Autospies will get around to posting that in about a week.

— dhkss2002 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 8:26:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

thanx but i will take the original BMW

— vazilio (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 9:04:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I must say that the X6 looks like it will age much better than the ZDX.

I think that the Acura looks a little too "sharp" if you will, for a car that is trying to look rounded. I do not think that Acura's design will age that well.

I also think that the color they choose to unveil it with (Silver) makes the car look bad. It shows off too many angles that Acura could have disguised with darker colors.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 9:30:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

to me the acura looks like a giant honda CRX from the side though

— chris357 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 10:09:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The X6 is much more normal looking

Acura should have kept their previous design language

— ChevyFan100 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 11:32:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Which vehicle is most polarizing, the X6, it was first. The ZDX is just a copy of a goofy design. Now which vehicle is more attractive, The AMC Eagle.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 12:43:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

no wonder Acura's design suck. They have a woman designing them. Men to make designs that one can lust over, like a woman. Women tend to design things in a pragmatic sense, it doesn't have to be pretty, but useful. It's how we as men and women think, we think differently because we have different wants desires and needs.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:01:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

The ZDX is more appealing to me. The design is more striking. The X6 looks frumpy. I've seen them on the road and they just look stupid. Granted, I wouldn't bother with either one, but since the question was posed.....

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 1:14:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I think I will step up and be the first person to answer the question this article poses. After reading many posts for both vehicles, the BMW X6 has by far the most polarizing design. There just doesn't seem to be a mid ground for people on it. People either just love it or hate it. The ZDX on the other hand is either hated or indifferent... with a couple people with hard ons for it.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 2:24:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

theopt, As i said men and women think differently. And yes, the Z4 is still the chick car...but less so. The SLK and Z4 (Z3) have never really had any balls. But you have to agree, whoever has been designing Acuras, have really demasculized the brand.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 5:31:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Definately the Acura!!!!!!! that is one of the ugliest cars EVER! honda definately needs to fire all of its damn designers!!!!!
ps i think the x6 is one of the greatest cars ever :)

— EducatedOpinion365 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 7:02:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

They're both pretty wrank! Acura looks like a G6.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 7:44:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I must say in terms of which one has the more controversial design, I'll have to go with the ZDX. No offense but the X6 essentially have a lot of the same lines that we've seen in BMW for a while like from the X5. The only difference is the coupe line roof and a couple of updated lines. The ZDX in terms of design is more different than anything we've seen from Acura b/c of the hidden rear door handles, a panoramic glass roof that leads into the rear lights, the monochromatic interface panel etc.

PS- I see that there are a lot of Acura haters on this forum and all they contribute is " ACURA SUCKS blah blah blah with no legitimate reason afterwards" so give the rest of us a break and at least if you're going to be a smart A** be a SMART one.

— RNeekChic (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 9:23:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I love the beak. It looks like something that some Evil Sadistic Corporatist Businessman, in a Pre-Apocalyptic America would drive in some Sci-Fi flick.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2009 10:02:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

theopt, read please, I didn't say the M coupe, i said the Z4 (Z3). And yes the SLK55 had some goods, but they always have had the hairdresser's car moniker to them. I mean when you see a dude in a SLK, don't you sncker and think, he is either driving his wife's car, or he SHOULD be driving an SL?

As far as Acura designs are concerned, their best design was the the last Legend Coupe (you know the one with 230 hp), that had all the right curves, but the wheels driving it, kinda like the Caddy STS in the FWD regard and excellent design.

Since the Legend Coupe almost all Acuras have been passe.

— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2009 3:27:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Acuras ZDX looks like a retarded humpback whale. BMW improved on the design. I'd pick MR.M

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2009 11:40:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Haters,it isn't Acura,it is the ride,the advanced technology,the reliabily

— wanga (View Profile)

Posted on 4/17/2009 9:37:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I just would like to know what Advanced technology Acura is coming up with.. Anything that is still not in the Auto industry....I havn;t seen anything Acura is doing 1st. they are the last in bringing the stuff.

— coolguy8157 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/17/2009 12:57:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1