Acura Plans a Bigger Three-Row SUV to Challenge the Lexus TX

Acura is quietly laying the groundwork for a new flagship SUV that would sit above the MDX, aiming directly at the popular Lexus TX. According to a report from Automotive News, the three-row model would be a completely new addition to the lineup, not a replacement for anything currently on sale.

It’s expected to start production in September 2029 at Honda’s Alabama plant, where the Pilot, Passport, and Ridgeline are built. The plant would turn out roughly 40,000 units annually, a number that would instantly make it one of Acura’s top sellers, especially given that the RDX moved about 32,000 units last year and the MDX about 42,000.

The timing makes sense. Luxury automakers are racing to offer bigger, pricier three-row SUVs. Audi is testing its Q9. BMW is rumored to be working on an even larger X7 variant, and Cadillac is bringing back the XT6 as a gas-powered companion to its electric Vistiq. For Acura, which currently sells just four models (and will dip to three once the RDX phases out), a larger family hauler could be a critical growth driver.

The Lexus TX sold roughly 57,000 units last year, so the market is clearly there.

As for what this Acura would look like, expect something around 203 inches long, about the same as the TX, to give it genuine third-row space. Pricing would likely start near the TX’s $58,990 base, though that could shift by the time it arrives. Under the hood, a strong candidate is the V6 hybrid powertrain Honda previewed last November, designed for large vehicles and towing.

It pairs dual electric motors with a new naturally aspirated V6, likely delivering around 350 horsepower. Acura declined to comment, saying it doesn’t discuss future products. But if the plan holds, this SUV could be the shot of energy the brand needs.