Acura’s Upcoming Big SUV Could Embrace Hybrid Tech
Acura is running lean these days when it comes to models. The recent discontinuations of the TLX and the RDX currently leave it with only three models: the Integra, ADX, and the MDX. This trio has done a good job holding down the fort but the luxury brand knows that sooner or later, it is gonna need some backup.
A new report suggests Acura’s upcoming SUV will not only be the biggest one yet offered by the company, but it will also bring Honda’s newest hybrid technology to the lineup when it eventually goes on sale.
Acura XL Goes Big On Hybrid Power
This is according to a new report from Automotive News which says Acura’s upcoming SUV will feature Honda’s newest hybrid system. With Honda bailing out of the EV market and canceling models like the Honda Prologue, this hybrid powertrain will be the new core pillar of the company’s future moving forward, and is poised to help Acura bring in a wider dragnet of customers.
The report says the new SUV will be tenatively called the Acura XL but while it’s a possible sign that Acura is running out of letter combinations for its model names, we suspect that this will change by the time it reaches production since the XL lettering is very commonplace, and Acura would not want the production version to have a letter combination that’s also a very commonly used label for size and other things.
Look past its odd name, and the hybrid powertrain would allow this large SUV to thrive in its role as Acura’s flagship with the report saying it would be slotted above the MDX in Acura’s model lineup. This report also follows up on Honda’s announcement in November which stated it would be developing a new hybrid V6 for its new wave of hybrid models. It’s safe to assume Acura offerings will be included in these plans with Honda saying the new engine will deliver “powerful driving performance and high towing capacity.”
Acura XL would help boost sales
The Acura XL’s appearance would help add depth to Acura’s sales numbers. As of this writing, the luxury brand has posted commendable sales numbers despite its dwindling lineup, with sales going up by 1.9% during the first half of 2026. In addition to this gain in sales, Acura has also managed to sell 69,715 vehicles in 2026, with the MDX (the current flagship SUV) being responsible for 24,102 of those sales.
Once the XL comes into the fold, it would help take some pressure off of the MDX, and allow Acura to have an entry that can compete better with rivals like the Lexus TX, and the Lincoln Aviator. A three-row SUV would also be a welcome addition to Acura dealers who would want a model that can appeal to near-luxury family buyers looking for a three-row offering that can not only haul the family, but also the gear needed for long roadtrips or other adventures. The MDX is the only three-row SUV the brand has at the moment, but its third row accomodations can feel cramped which can be a deal breaker for some buyers.
Acura’s big pivot
The appearance of this SUV will also represent a big pivot away from EVs. It wasn’t too long ago that Honda had big plans for Acura in the EV space, with the brand slated to receive the RSX EV crossover, which was supposed to revive an iconic nameplate and give the brand an electrified entry in the EV market.
But Honda’s shift into hybrids caused the RSX and other Acura EV models to be shelved, with the brand now slated to benefit the most from Honda’s move into hybrids. Demand for hybrid vehicles has been increasing as EV demand slows down and these hybrid vehicles will help Acura take full advantage of this while also allowing dealerships to have a more flexible pool of inventory.
Be Prepared For A Long Wait
The Acura XL is slated to go into production at its Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant with the company expected to build 40,000 units of the new SUV annually. This plant already builds the MDX so in theory, adding the XL into the production rotation would not be that difficult, and would require minimal investment.
However, consumers looking to perhaps buy one of these SUVs for their driveway will need to be patient. Acura is not in a rush, and is taking its time when it comes to developing the new SUV and its hybrid powertrain. As a result, look for production to not formally kick off until September of 2029.