Acura Confirms 3 New SUVs Including Off-Road and 8-Passenger Models
Things are pretty bleak at Acura right now, but that's all set to change. Just not as soon as customers or dealers would probably like. Acura has presented a revised business roadmap to its U.S. dealer network, detailing plans to expand its product lineup with three new SUVs and introduce new powertrain technology beginning in 2028. The strategy aims to capture market share in previously unaddressed segments while transitioning key models toward hybrid electrification.
Key points
- Portfolio Expansion: Three New SUVs
- Powertrain Development
- Business Context and Current Performance
Portfolio Expansion: Three New SUVs
The centerpiece of Acura’s multi-year strategy is the introduction of three distinct SUV models. First will be a "Adventure Focused" SUV that will arrive in early 2028. Acura will push into the growing off-road/adventure-oriented utility segment with a model that's intended to combine increased capability for off-highway use with the premium amenities, design, and technology standard across the brand's lineup. Could this be an Acura-ified version of the Honda Passport? That wouldn't surprise us.
Next will come the next-gen Acura RDX, as a hybrid. This will also arrive in 2028 as the first Acura model to incorporate parent company Honda's two-motor hybrid-electric system, marking a shift toward broader hybrid adoption within the core lineup.
And third will be a full-size SUV that's in development. To address demand for larger family-oriented luxury transport, Acura is developing an eight-passenger SUV. Positioned above the current three-row MDX, it will represent the largest vehicle in the brand's history. It's rumored to be called the XL.
Powertrain Development
Alongside the integration of the two-motor hybrid system in the RDX, Acura confirmed the development of a new V6 hybrid powertrain engineered for D-segment vehicles. According to the automaker, this powertrain is intended to provide enhanced towing capacity and performance metrics while improving overall fuel efficiency.
Business Context and Current Performance
The product announcements come as Acura reports a 4.4% year-over-year sales increase through the first three quarters of 2026. According to internal figures, performance has been bolstered by the MDX—which experienced a sales increase of over 25% during the period—alongside steady demand for entry-level offerings, including the Integra and ADX. Acura confirmed that the MDX, ADX, and Integra are scheduled to receive updates for the 2027 model year ahead of the broader portfolio expansion in 2028.
Executives emphasized that the strategy focuses on customer retention through sequential product offerings—from entry-level models to larger utility vehicles—and prioritizing value positioning within the premium sector.
