- Honda is considering a new three-row flagship SUV to sit above the Pilot, with production targeted for early 2032.
- Internally, the new project is called Pilot XXL, and the new model would run eight inches longer than the standard Pilot.
- The Pilot XXL should share a platform with an upcoming Acura full-size flagship SUV.
Rumor has it that Honda wants to enter the full-size three-row SUV segment. According to a report in Automotive News, a new flagship SUV is under development and is known internally as Pilot XXL.
The three-row crossover should stretch the current Pilot's proportions by 8 inches. That puts the Pilot XXL into full-size territory, where it could battle for your bucks against the likes of the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, and Jeep Wagoneer.
Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe buyers, however, typically remain highly brand loyal, though a few could be swayed to consider a larger Pilot.
New Platform And New Engine
The development of the Pilot XXL aligns with Acura cooking up a fresh flagship of its own. Acura has a large, three-row crossover slated to begin production late in 2029. A Honda version riding on the same platform is expected to arrive sometime later in 2032.
The likely candidate to power the pumped-up Pilot is Honda's forthcoming V6 hybrid powertrain. Last fall, Honda announced that development of this system is underway and that it would power future large hybrid vehicles.
Motor1's Take: There's no denying the inherently American appeal of a large SUV. Honda wants in on the action, and this new powertrain seems like the perfect pairing for a fresh flagship.
Sure, 2032 sounds far off in the future... but it's just over five years away. The Acura version will be here before you know it.
