Acura Plans Adventure SUV and Eight-Seat Flagship

Acura will launch an adventure-ready SUV in the first part of 2028 and is developing a new eight-passenger flagship, marking a significant expansion of its SUV lineup. The company confirmed the plans to U.S. dealers and released a teaser image showing a multispoke wheel with an all-terrain tire spinning in dirt, bearing the Acura logo. This new off-road-oriented SUV will be Acura’s first in the segment since the SLX, and the company describes it as designed to “deliver the capability customers need for their outdoor adventures along with modern and premium styling.”

The adventure-focused model is expected to draw on the hardware of Honda’s TrailSport range, with speculation that it could share a platform with the Honda Passport TrailSport. The teaser image hints at black plastic fender flares and rugged intent, but Acura hasn’t provided further details on the vehicle’s design or specifications. The brand states that the SUV will offer “the comfort and technology customers expect from an Acura,” though no further information was released.

Alongside the adventure SUV, Acura is preparing its largest model yet: a three-row, eight-seat SUV that will sit above the current MDX in the lineup. The model, rumored as the ‘Acura XL,’ is confirmed to be in development. While Acura has not set a public launch date, reports suggest a timeline around 2029 or 2030, corresponding with Honda’s new hybrid-only factory. The new flagship will target families seeking larger, more premium vehicles, and is expected to share underpinnings with Honda’s own large SUV project, currently referred to as the ‘Pilot XXL.’

2007-2009 Acura MDX photographed in Fort Washington, Maryland — Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons, public domain (cropped)

Both new models are likely to use a new hybrid V-6 powertrain that Honda is developing for its D-segment vehicles. Acura has indicated that this system will include up to three electric motors and claims it will improve acceleration by 10 percent. The company also highlights “powerful driving performance and high towing capacity” as attributes of the upcoming hybrid setup. This move aligns with Acura’s broader shift toward electrified powertrains, with the next-generation RDX also set to use the two-motor hybrid system when it returns in 2028 after a one-year hiatus.

The roadmap Acura shared with dealers includes three new SUVs for the U.S. market. In addition to the adventure-ready model and the eight-seater, the fourth-generation RDX is planned for 2028. Acura has confirmed that the new RDX will be the first from the brand to use its two-motor hybrid technology, which Honda has already introduced in the Accord and CR-V. The company is making further updates to this powertrain for the 2027 model year, aiming to improve efficiency and performance. For the 2027 model year, the RDX will take a break, leaving the Integra, ADX, and MDX as the core models, each set to receive updates in styling and technology, though not major changes.

Acura hasn’t yet revealed whether the adventure-ready SUV will be based on an existing model or be a completely new design. The only official preview is the image of the wheel and fender, leaving the rest of the vehicle’s appearance and interior features undisclosed. The adventure SUV is described as intended for outdoor use, but the company has not detailed its off-road systems or specific equipment. The eight-seater, meanwhile, is expected to be larger than competitors such as the Toyota Grand Highlander and Hyundai Palisade, according to reports, but Acura has not confirmed dimensions or features.

Eiji Fujimura, president and CEO of American Honda, commented, “We are making a big commitment to Acura by delivering products and services that meet the needs of our customers at all life stages, which will create a sustainable long-term direction for the brand.” Acura hasn’t revealed the names or full details of the new SUVs, nor has it confirmed pricing or exact launch dates beyond the initial timing for the adventure-ready model.

The magazine has also looked at Lexus’s off-road LX SUV and the Ascender adventure camper.