Acura reportedly planning to build a three-row SUV by 2029

Acura is preparing to go head-to-head with Lexus by building a three-row SUV, according to a new report from Automotive News.

The luxury wing of Honda is no stranger to plush SUVs, but the brand has never ventured into the world of full-size three-row SUVs. That is reportedly about to change, as a three-row flagship model may be joining the Acura lineup in 2029, according to sources familiar with Honda's plans. The model is currently referred to as the Acura XL in company documents, according to Automotive News.

A new large-vehicle hybrid powertrain will reportedly underpin the three-row SUV. Production is allegedly set to start in September 2029 at Honda's Lincoln, Alabama, plant. Projected annual production volume is set at 40,000 units. That will put the XL model in contention with Acura's current sales frontrunner, the MDX, which accounted for over 41,000 unit sales in 2025. It's worth noting that the MDX does offer third-row seating, but without the sizable dimensions found in models like the Lexus TX and Volvo XC90.

Honda's move away from electric vehicles has left Acura with only three nameplates—Integra, ADX, and MDX. As the compact RDX and battery-electric ZDX crossovers sunset, Acura likely needs a new model to continue its current trajectory. Acura outsold Cadillac and Audi in the first half of the year to take its place as the fourth-largest luxury brand in the U.S.

It isn't just internal sales aspirations that are driving Honda's decision to launch a luxury three-row, either. The large premium crossover segment has grown significantly in the last three years, and the Lexus TX is currently dominating the market. Other competitors for the Acura XL will include the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Audi Q9. Acura previously teased a V-8-powered, full-size model in the mid-2000s, before scrapping the plans entirely during the Great Recession.