The concept of “badge engineering” – the same car with more than one brand or model name – got a deservedly bad rap in the 1980s and 1990s. The problem was that in those days “badge engineering” was too much badge and not enough engineering.
GM was among the worst offenders, making cars that were so cookie-cutter that it was hard to distinguish the Chevrolet from the Pontiac from the Oldsmobile from the Buick (and sometimes even the Cadillac) without looking at the badge.
Today, the concept survives, but it’s called “platform sharing” now, and automakers for the most part do a very good job at differentiating vehicles with designs in common.
Case in point – the 2026 Acura ADX. It shares a platform with the humble, slow and (when viewed from the front) homely Honda HR-V (“On the Move,” September 2022). And yet the ADX is upscale and stylish.
You’ll notice I didn’t say “quick.” The 32-horsepower boost in the ADX’s engine output lets it beat the HR-V’s snail-like 11-second 0-60 time by about 2.5 seconds. The payoff for your patience comes at the gas pump – an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway.
But the Acura more than makes up for its speed deficit with handling. Its steering is specifically tuned for quick response, all-wheel drive (AWD) is an extra-cost option that can send more than 50% of the torque to the rear wheels. There’s variable-ratio electronic power steering, a stiff torsion bar for rigidity and selectable drive modes that enhance performance both in terms of canyon-carving and driving in snow.
Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Acura ADX AWD A-Spec with the Advance Package. And it comes loaded. A comprehensive suite of active safety features, leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration, a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory and four-way power lumbar support, a four-way power front passenger’s seat, heated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless phone charger.
That’s just the ADX standard equipment (base price with AWD $37,000-$38,450 with destination). A-Spec ($40,200-$41,650 with destination) adds ventilated front seats, sport pedals, ambient LED lighting, rear USB jacks, a rear cargo cover, LED fog lights and exclusive exterior styling details.
And the Advance Package adds a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, a hands-free power liftgate, a surround view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, a heated sport steering wheel, power-folding side mirrors, remote engine start and rain-sensing wipers, for $44,000-$45,450 including destination.
Our tester had only one extra-cost option, the Double Apex Blue paint ($600), bringing the as-tested price to $46,450.
If you parked a Honda CR-V and the Acura ADX next to each other, you might see some resemblance around the edges. If you drive them back to back, you’ll never believe they’re related. That’s the sign of the right proportion of engineering to badge.
