Honda is exploring an expansion at the top of its SUV lineup to capitalize on growing demand, especially in North America, for large family haulers. The Japanese automaker is reportedly planning a new three-row flagship positioned above the Pilot, giving the brand a direct competitor to oversized unibody entries like the Toyota Grand Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. This comes in a report by Automotive News.
This isn’t for tomorrow, mind you. If the reports are accurate, production won’t begin in North America until the first quarter of 2032; Honda is reportedly estimating annual production of over 40,000 units.
A unibody construction
Internally referred to as the Pilot XXL, the proposed model would stretch nearly 20 cm (eight inches) longer than the current Pilot. Rather than shifting to a traditional heavy body-on-frame platform, the vehicle will retain a unibody construction to preserve ride quality and daily drivability while maximizing third-row passenger space and cargo room.
It’s also expected that the new Pilot XXL flagship will share its underlying architecture with a future three-row Acura model, internally designated as the Acura XL. Why that model only gets one X, we don’t know.
The Acura SUV is said to be meant to enter production earlier, in September 2029, as a rival to models like the Lexus TX and Audi Q9.
Honda is currently evaluating assembly locations, which could include adding an eighth North American production facility, likely in Ohio.
A V6 hybrid architecture
Central to the project is Honda’s next-generation V6 hybrid architecture, a key component of its broader strategy to introduce 15 new hybrid models globally by 2030. Designed for larger vehicles, the upcoming powertrain pairs a newly developed V6 gasoline engine with electric motors, including an independent rear-axle motor that enables electronic all-wheel drive.
The plan is for the advanced hybrid system to deliver significant performance gains over Honda’s current gasoline V6, which develops 280 to 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. But alongside those improvements, as well as a 10 percent boost in acceleration and the maintaining of current heavy towing capabilities, engineers are also aiming for fuel economy improvements exceeding 30 percent.
The move comes as U.S. sales of larger SUVs reach record levels, exceeding 1.3 million units in 2025. For Honda dealers, a larger, more upscale model gives them a way to retain customers who want more space than the Pilot offers but aren’t keen on going to a minivan.
With 2032 still some way off, and this project not even confirmed by Honda yet, it’s too early to speculate about pricing. It’s safe to assume the enlarged SUV will command a premium over the current Pilot, and we can probably figure on a price point well above $60,000 in Canada.