- Honda could offer a three-row crossover larger than the Pilot.
- Model could be roughly eight inches longer, dwarfing competitors.
- Crossover could have hybrid power and go into production in 2032.
The auto industry has embraced a bigger is better attitude, especially when it comes to SUVs. An assortment of supersized models have rolled out recently and a new report suggests Honda could follow suit.
According to an insider who talked to Automotive News, the company is considering a three-row crossover that could slot above the Pilot. It could go into production as early as the first quarter of 2032.
More: Acura Is Building An ‘XL’ Flagship SUV Because The MDX Isn’t Big Enough Anymore
Dubbed the “Pilot XXL,” the model is rumored to be approximately 8 inches (203 mm) longer than the current crossover. This would make it around 208.1 inches (5,286 mm) long, which is far larger than the Toyota Grand Highlander (201.4 inches), Hyundai Palisade (199.2 inches), and Kia Telluride (199.2 inches). It would also dwarf the Jeep Grand Cherokee L (204.9 inches), Chevrolet Traverse (204.5 inches), GMC Acadia (203.9 inches), and Ford Explorer (198.7 inches)
Little else is known about the model at this point, but it’s expected to have a lot in common with Acura’s flagship SUV. That model is tentatively known as the Acura XL and will slot above the MDX. Given the similarities, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a hybrid powertrain under the hood of both models.
Only time will tell if the crossover reaches production, but the Pilot is a reasonably strong seller for Honda as US dealers moved 83,486 units through August. However, that’s down 2.3% from a year ago, and it only took Chevrolet six months to sell 81,417 Traverses.
To put those numbers into perspective, the CR-V found 302,056 buyers through August, while the HR-V landed at 96,164. That means the Pilot took third place on Honda’s crossover list.
The 2026 Pilot starts at $42,395 before a $1,595 destination fee. However, the range-topping Black Edition will set you back $55,195. The Grand Highlander starts in the same ballpark, but the Hybrid Max Platinum begins at $60,175.
