Apparently, the Honda Pilot may not be big enough for Honda anymore. A new report claims the automaker is considering an even larger three-row SUV for North America, and its internal name gets straight to the point: Pilot XXL.
The proposed SUV would sit above the current Pilot as Honda’s new flagship utility vehicle. It would target larger three-row crossovers, including the Ford Explorer and Toyota Grand Highlander, giving Honda something for families who need more space than the Pilot can offer.
Nothing is official yet, and the rumored SUV is still years away from potentially reaching dealerships. Automotive News reports the project appeared in a Honda planning document and cites a person briefed on the company’s plans.
If it does happen, however, the XXL part apparently isn’t an exaggeration. The new SUV could stretch roughly eight inches beyond today’s Pilot, putting it surprisingly close to full-size SUV territory.
Honda Wants A Bigger Pilot
The current Pilot measures roughly 200 inches long, meaning another eight inches would put the proposed model at around 208 inches. For comparison, the Ford Explorer measures about 199 inches long, while the Toyota Grand Highlander stretches just over 201 inches.
That extra length would be put toward improving third-row passenger space and overall practicality. Honda is said to expect annual production exceeding 40,000 vehicles if the project ultimately gets approved.
Despite its size, the vehicle is expected to remain a unibody crossover rather than adopting the body-on-frame construction commonly associated with full-size SUVs. Production could begin at a North American factory during the first quarter of 2032.
A V6 Hybrid Could Provide The Power
The rumored Pilot XXL is also expected to share its underlying architecture with a larger Acura SUV currently referred to as the Acura XL. That model is reportedly scheduled to arrive earlier, with production potentially beginning in 2029.
Both vehicles could use Honda’s next-generation hybrid system developed specifically for larger vehicles. Reports suggest it will combine a V6 gasoline engine with multiple electric motors, potentially including a rear-mounted motor providing electronic all-wheel drive.
Honda has already outlined plans to expand its hybrid lineup substantially over the coming years. A large hybrid SUV would give the company another way to improve fuel economy without asking buyers of its biggest family vehicles to make the jump to a fully electric powertrain.
Don’t Start Saving For One Just Yet
A potential 2032 production date leaves Honda plenty of time to change, delay, or even cancel the project. The company hasn’t publicly confirmed the Pilot XXL, nor has it announced pricing or even said that the eventual production model would carry the Pilot name.
Still, the rumored SUV would fill an obvious gap above Honda’s existing three-row crossover. If eight extra inches really are on the drawing board, calling it the Pilot XXL might be unusually accurate by automotive naming standards.