America loves a full-size three-row SUV, and according to a new report, Honda wants to get in on the action. Automotive News, citing anonymous insiders, reports that a new version of the Pilot SUV, internally known as Pilot XXL, is being prepped to enter production in North America in the first quarter of 2032. The rumored model would compete against the likes of the Toyota Grand Highlander, the Ford Explorer, and the Nissan Armada and is expected to stretch the existing Pilot’s length by almost eight inches. It’s also said to be more luxurious than the current offering and will be built on a new platform with a new powertrain.
New V6 Hybrid Powertrain for Honda’s Pilot XXL
Honda
The enlarged Pilot will reportedly sit atop a unibody platform, despite being nearly as big as a full-size body-on-frame SUV, and it is expected to feature Honda’s next-generation V6 hybrid powertrain. This will allow the bigger SUV to maintain the ride quality of the existing Pilot while providing improved efficiency, and with the system expected to add an electric motor to the rear axle, electronic all-wheel drive will be included. Not much more about the new SUV is known, but we’ll get a preview before the end of the decade, as the Pilot XXL will utilize the same platform as the internally named Acura XL three-row, reportedly entering production in September 2029.
Related: Honda’s Next Hybrid SUV May Already Be Testing in America
Naturally, the Pilot XXL, which will surely get a better name, will be pricier than the regular Pilot, which currently starts at just over $42,000. However, with the average new car price hovering around the $50,000 mark, Honda dealers expect the higher sticker not to put buyers off. Moreover, since the Acura SUV will likely adopt the styling principles of the Acura Hybid SUV concept unveiled in May, the Honda version will also take on a slightly more upmarket aesthetic.
Autoblog’s Take
A larger, more upscale SUV serving as a flagship could be a big earner for Honda, which currently has nothing to offer families who want something bigger than a Pilot, and with both a V6 and an electric motor, it should be both powerful and efficient. However, Honda will have its work cut out for it, entering a highly competitive segment that includes the Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep Wagoneer, Toyota Sequoia, and more. On the other hand, the segment is growing, and many buyers will doubtless be won over by the Honda badge, which stands for value and reliability. While we await the new Pilot XXL’s arrival, 15 other new hybrids and SUVs are in development, some of which will reach America by 2029.
