Acura’s biggest SUV yet could arrive in 2029

Acura could finally be getting a full-size flagship SUV, something that’s eluded the brand for nearly two decades.

Acura reportedly has plans to add a three-row crossover positioned above the MDX beginning in 2029, according to Automotive News, giving the premium brand a direct competitor to the likes of the Lexus TX, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Sources told the outlet the vehicle is slated to enter production in late 2029 at the automaker’s Lincoln, Alabama, assembly plant, with annual output projected at up to 40,000 units. Internal Honda documents reportedly refer to the model as the “Acura XL.”

Honda declined to comment on the report.

The flagship is expected to feature a new hybrid powertrain designed specifically for large vehicles, continuing Honda’s retreat from battery-electrics. Because the move away from EVs is leaving Acura with a smaller lineup than planned, adding another vehicle to its portfolio is increasingly important.

But the move would also address one of the MDX’s biggest shortcomings.

While the MDX remains Acura’s best-selling model, its competitors have steadily grown, offering buyers ever-more-useful third-row space. The Lexus TX, for instance, was introduced for the 2024 model year and quickly became one of the segment’s leaders, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and plenty of cargo capacity.