Acura Is Working On An 'Adventure-Ready' SUV And A New Eight-Seater

Acura will launch three new SUVs in North America over the coming years. The most important will be a three-row, eight-seater that will be the biggest SUV in the brand's history. With Acura's current lineup feeling a little old and uninspired, this new model can't arrive soon enough. There's been plenty of speculation about an 'XL' flagship SUV from Acura recently. In August 2026, a report surfaced stating this model, currently codenamed the 'Acura XL,' will hit the market in late 2029. However, at the time of the report, the automaker hadn't confirmed work on such a model. 

That's what it's done now, confirming that the new SUV, set to sit above the seven-seat MDX, is in development. Acura did not reveal when it could hit the market. This new model will likely be based on the three-row SUV Honda is developing, currently referred to as the 'Pilot XXL.' The Honda is expected to be larger than the likes of the Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, and even the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, aiming instead to capture some of the growing demand for ever-bigger SUVs. If the Acura shares its underpinnings with this model, then it should be equally large.

The eight-seater isn't the only enticing new model that Acura is working on. In the same announcement, the brand confirmed to U.S. dealers that it's developing a new "adventure-ready" SUV that will hit the market in the first part of 2028. Precious few details were revealed about this model, other than stating it "will deliver the capability customers need for their outdoor adventures along with modern and premium styling, and the comfort and technology customers expect from an Acura." 

It's unclear whether this vehicle will be based on an existing Acura SUV, or if it will be an all-new model developed and built from the ground up. A single teaser image gives us a taste of what to expect, showing a silver and black wheel spinning in the dirt. It also reveals a black plastic fender flare, but other than that, there is no real insight as to what this new Acura will look like. The more capable 2027 Honda Passport could serve as a good starting point for this new SUV, in particular the TrailSport version. 

It uses Honda's familiar naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower, but more importantly, the TrailSport has unique springs, dampers, control arms, and stabilizer bars, giving it some proper off-roading credentials. The fourth-generation RDX, teased by the Monterey concept, will complete Acura's plan for three new SUVs. It's scheduled to launch in 2028 and will be the first Acura to use the automaker's latest hybrid powertrain. Acura believes that it, along with the adventure-focused SUV and new eight-seater, will perfectly complement the brand's existing models.