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Back in May, Honda and Acura announced that the two brands would be launching 15 new models by the end of the decade. One of those will be a production version of the Hybrid SUV Prototype shown alongside the announcement, probably filling the gap left by the now departing RDX. We also have an idea of another product thanks to a report from Automotive News, and it will be a completely new model, rather than a replacement. It should be big, too.
It's Could Be A Few Years Away
The news outlet says that Acura will be getting a new three-row flagship SUV that will sit above the MDX. The MDX does already have three rows of seating, however, it's a tad smaller overall compared to its corporate cousin, the Honda Pilot, and nearly 4 inches shorter compared to the three-row Lexus TX. As such, there's a decent case to be made for a more family-friendly luxury SUV option from Acura.
Automotive News also reports that this new SUV will start production in September 2029 at Honda's plant in Alabama, where it currently builds the Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and the V6 engines that go into them. The outlet says that production should be about 40,000 units annually. That would make this new SUV one of the brand's bestsellers, as last year the RDX sold around 32,000 units and the MDX sold around 42,000. Both of those also were down by close to 10,000 units compared to 2024. For further context, the Lexus TX sold about 57,000 units last year. Assuming that this Acura could hit the expected numbers, it could represent a huge boost in sales for the brand.
We did reach out to an Acura representative for any sort of comment or confirmation. The representative gave us the usual statement that Acura doesn't comment on future products, and that the reporting in the Automotive News story was not based on anything that Honda or Acura has announced.
Assuming that this Acura SUV is indeed happening, it would make sense. Multiple luxury car companies are looking to go bigger and more expensive with their SUV offerings. Audi is currently in the testing phase for its Q9 SUV that will be a particularly large and luxurious three-row above the Q7. Reports have been swirling around the possibility of a bigger BMW three-row model above the X7, which could potentially receive the Alpina name. Plus, on the lower end, Cadillac is apparently going to revive the XT6 as a three-row combustion model companion to the all-electric Vistiq. So there's clearly a market.
What The SUV Could Be Like
Obviously, this new Acura SUV would be bigger than the MDX, probably around the 203.1-inch length of the Lexus TX, just to ensure that it has enough space to be competitive in the segment and to provide more of a reason to buy it over the MDX. It will almost certainly cost more than the MDX, too. We wouldn't be surprised to see a price similar, again, to the Lexus TX, which has a base MSRP of $58,990. Of course, these prices could be higher in three to four years.
Assuming the late 2029 start of production, we would expect this big Acura to be based on a new large SUV platform, potentially underpinning a new MDX, Pilot, and other derivative Hondas. A strong candidate for propelling the Acura is the V6 hybrid powertrain that Honda previewed back in November. The company specifically said at the reveal that the powertrain has been designed for large vehicles and for towing. It features dual electric motors and a completely new naturally aspirated V6. No specifications were shared, but somewhere in the range of 350 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque would put it on par with the TX hybrid.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Acura's lineup is one of the smaller ones in the luxury space with just four models, and it will temporarily dip to three until the RDX's replacement appears. If the brand wants to grow, it definitely needs to have more options on its lots. Based on interest from other brands and a fairly optimistic sales estimate, this larger three-row model sounds like a strong option. At the same time, if multiple automakers are planning to explore this space, Acura could end up facing some strong competition. The hybrid powertrain seems like a solid choice for keeping it relevant and distinct in the segment, regardless of what emissions and fuel economy standards look like in the next few years.
Source: Automotive News, Acura, Lexus
