Acura to add Passport-based off-roader and full-size eight-seat SUV to its range

Acura has announced plans to expand its sport utility lineup with two distinct new offerings: a dedicated adventure-oriented off-roader and a full-size, eight-passenger three-row SUV. The strategy aims to position the luxury marque against tough competition from rivals such as Lexus, Land Rover, and potentially Lincoln.

The upcoming off-roader is described in brand terms as adventure ready. A close look at teaser material indicates that the vehicle will share its architectural foundation with the Honda Passport, a midsize SUV that received significant revisions for the 2027 model year. The platform brings proven all-terrain capability and on-road manners, which should provide a solid base for a premium off-roader. Slated to arrive around 2028, the vehicle will enter a booming luxury segment led by the Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender, with Genesis and Lincoln also preparing competing entries. Acura plans to differentiate the model with brand-specific styling and a new V-6 hybrid powertrain.

The second vehicle confirmed for production addresses a longstanding limitation of Acura's current family flagship, the MDX. While the MDX continues to be marketed as a best-selling luxury three-row crossover and receives its own updates for 2027, its rearmost seating row remains tight for adults and best suited for occasional use. The new large model, informally dubbed MDX+, will deliver a much more accommodating third row and expanded cargo capacity. It will be configured as an eight-seater, with an optional seven-passenger layout featuring second-row captain's chairs, aimed at fending off competitors like the Lexus TX and the forthcoming Audi Q9.

Powertrain choices for the large crossover are expected to include a standard gasoline V-6 to preserve value, as well as the new V-6 hybrid system. Acura views platform sharing and accessible luxury pricing as core brand pillars that keep ownership costs below those of European luxury automakers. In addition to the two new utility models, Acura is preparing a hybrid version of the RDX, even as next-generation versions of the Integra and ADX face delays.