Honda’s luxury-oriented marque has stopped asking the MDX to be three different SUVs. Building on a press release from a week ago, Automotive News understands that Acura wants two launch three new sport utility vehicles in the coming years with the sole purpose of hitting 200,000 annual US sales by 2030.
The product plan includes a sub-MDX crossover, namely the long-awaited RDX with hybrid assistance, as well as two larger models that will complement the MDX. An eight-seater would serve as the flagship, whereas a Honda Passport-derived sport utility vehicle would give customers a more rugged alternative to the MDX.
Based on details shared during an October 13 dealer meeting in Las Vegas, the upcoming models were presented to retailers behind closed doors. Considering that prospective MDX customers are already looking at the Lexus GX as an alternative, those new models are dearly needed as soon as possible.
Worse still for Acura, the Toyota-controlled marque also has the RX for two-row customers who prioritize comfort and the TX for three-row customers. Because of its 250-series Land Cruiser underpinnings, the GX is the kind of SUV that combines ride comfort, luxury, and off-road capability into a very cohesive overall package.
The eight-seat flagship would address the Lexus TX, and the newcomer allegedly carries the Acura XL moniker internally. Six inches (a little over 150 millimeters) longer than the MDX, the XL targets in the ballpark of 30,000 deliveries annually. Said estimate comes from supply chain sources, with production targeted for the third quarter of 2029. Otherwise put, look forward to a 2030 model.
Photo: Acura
Dealers report a boxy, tall vehicle with broad shoulders, a passenger-first cabin, and a front light bar. They also drew comparisons with Range Rover products, which is great news if Acura can actually pull such a stylistic effort off without integrating some oddities in the design. Under the skin, its platform is referred to as Pilot XXL internally.
The vehicle architecture should also underpin the next MDX and a larger Honda sport utility vehicle, also with three rows and eight seats at most. As for the midsizer derived from the Passport, retailers described unique sheetmetal that includes an upright nose, all-terrain rubber, and unique hood treatment. Due in the first half of 2028, the gas-powered model is projected to sell 25,000 units annually.
Whether buyers will accept the Passport with different badging, nicer body panels, and a snazzier cabin at a higher price than the actual Passport, only time will tell. The RDX, thankfully, has a different assignment. Its role is to keep Acura competitive in existing territory, and due to the RAV4 and CR-V, the next RDX needs a hybrid option.
Confirmed to come to market in 2028, which probably means a 2029 model by US automotive standards, the fourth-gen RDX is coming with two-motor hybrid tech. Instead of a V6 hybrid setup, which is reserved for larger models, this one is certain to use an I4.
The Acura Nexera Vision concept previews the stylistic direction of all three models, blade-like lighting inspired by the A emblem included. Although a coupe design study is good enough to supply the stylistic inspiration, a crossover will do the selling in this SUV- and truck-driven market.
