Honda is reportedly preparing a much larger version of its three-row Pilot SUV, with the model expected to enter North American production in the first quarter of 2032. Internally known as the Pilot XXL, the new SUV is expected to be nearly eight inches longer than the current Pilot and target buyers looking for a larger, more luxurious Honda.
Honda Pilot XXL Could Rival Larger SUVs
According to Automotive News, citing anonymous insiders, the Pilot XXL is being developed to compete with vehicles including the Toyota Grand Highlander, Ford Explorer and Nissan Armada.
The new model is expected to use a new platform and powertrain while offering a more upscale experience than the current Pilot. Despite approaching the size of a full-size SUV, the Pilot XXL will reportedly retain a unibody construction.
New V6 Hybrid Powertrain Expected
The larger Honda SUV is reportedly set to use the automaker’s next-generation V6 hybrid powertrain. The system is expected to add an electric motor to the rear axle, allowing the Pilot XXL to feature electronic all-wheel drive.
The setup is also expected to help the larger SUV maintain the ride quality of the existing Pilot while improving efficiency.
More details about the Pilot XXL remain limited, but the model is expected to share its platform with an internally named Acura XL three-row SUV. That Acura model is reportedly scheduled to enter production in September 2029, potentially providing an earlier preview of the platform that will underpin the Honda.
Honda Pilot XXL Expected to Cost More
The Pilot XXL is expected to carry a higher price than the regular Pilot, which currently starts at just over $42,000. Honda dealers reportedly expect buyers to accept the higher sticker price even as the average new car price hovers around $50,000.
The Honda model is also expected to feature a more upscale design. The Acura SUV will likely adopt styling principles from the Acura Hybid SUV concept unveiled in May, and the Honda version is expected to receive a slightly more upmarket aesthetic as well.
Honda Enters a Competitive Large-SUV Market
A larger and more upscale SUV would give Honda a flagship model for families seeking something bigger than the Pilot. The reported combination of a V6 engine and electric motor is also expected to deliver both power and improved efficiency.
However, the Pilot XXL would enter a highly competitive segment that includes the Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep Wagoneer and Toyota Sequoia.
The segment is growing, while Honda is also developing 15 other new hybrids and SUVs, some of which are expected to reach America by 2029. For now, the Pilot XXL remains a reported future model with production targeted for the first quarter of 2032.
