Quick Facts:
- Topic: Acura TDX and three other names Honda filed as trademarks on October 16, 2026.
- Names filed: TDX, LDX, TYPE-TRAIL and TYPE T, all for “Automobiles and structural parts therefor.”
- Confirmed by Acura: none of the four names.
- Roadmap: an adventure-ready SUV in the first part of 2028, plus an 8-passenger SUV above the MDX.
- Reported base: the Passport TrailSport, which starts at $49,995 before destination. Acura has not confirmed the link.
- Sources: Acura Newsroom (October 13) and the filings as reported on October 20.
5 min read
In This Article
Overview
Honda filed four trademarks on October 16: TDX, LDX, TYPE-TRAIL and TYPE T. Reports tie them to future Acura models, and the Acura TDX name looks like a natural fit for the brand’s adventure SUV. However, neither Honda nor Acura has confirmed any of the four names.
All four filings list “Automobiles and structural parts therefor.” Acura’s roadmap, shared with U.S. dealers on October 13, adds context. According to the Acura Newsroom release, an adventure-ready SUV arrives in the first part of 2028, and an 8-passenger SUV is in development above the MDX. Our Acura adventure SUV roadmap coverage walks through the full plan.
Below, you will find what Acura has confirmed, what the names might mean, and what the Passport TrailSport offers if the reports about shared hardware prove right.
While Acura sorts out names, the AWD crossover in your driveway still needs trail gear. The Passport TrailSport has no low range, so traction boards help any AWD SUV on dirt, sand and snow. Rhino USA Off-Road Traction Boards, BUNKER INDUST Off-road Traction Boards and MAXTRAX MKII are three picks below.
Traction boards for AWD SUVs
Key Facts at a Glance
The table lists what the filings and the roadmap establish. Interpretation starts in the next section.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Filing date | October 16, 2026 |
| Filer | Honda Motor Co., Ltd., at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office |
| Names filed | TDX, LDX, TYPE-TRAIL, TYPE T |
| Goods listed | “Automobiles and structural parts therefor” |
| Names confirmed by Acura | None |
| Adventure-ready SUV | First part of 2028, per Acura’s roadmap |
| 8-passenger SUV | In development above the MDX, no date |
Honda’s filings do not say which model gets which badge.
How the Acura TDX and LDX Names Fit the Lineup
Acura sells three SUVs named with a letter plus DX: the ADX, RDX and MDX. TDX and LDX follow the same pattern. Jalopnik guesses TDX stands for trail and LDX stands for large, but Honda has not said so.
If the guess holds, the Acura TDX is the adventure-ready SUV due in 2028. The Acura LDX is then the 8-passenger flagship above the Acura MDX. Both remain guesses, because Acura has announced no names.
TYPE-TRAIL and TYPE T look like badges, not model names. Acura already uses Type S for its performance versions, including the Integra Type S and the 2026 MDX Type S. A rugged counterpart might follow the same logic. Honda also sells TrailSport versions of the CR-V, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, so TYPE-TRAIL might land on a Honda instead.
What a Trademark Filing Does Not Prove About the Acura TDX
Automakers file names years before a vehicle exists, and some filings never reach a showroom. A filing shows intent to protect a word, not a production plan. For example, we treated Ford’s Ranchero trademark filing as a signal worth watching, not a confirmation.
The same caution applies here. Acura has not named the adventure SUV or published a price, powertrain, ground clearance or tire size. Treat any spec you see attached to the TDX as speculation until Acura publishes a release. Search any filing yourself in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office search tool.
Why the Passport TrailSport Matters
One clue is worth weighing. Reports expect the adventure-ready Acura to share hardware with the Passport. Honda has not confirmed it. Still, the 2027 Passport TrailSport shows what a sibling might offer.
The 2027 Passport TrailSport starts at $49,995 before the $1,595 destination charge, according to our 2027 Passport TrailSport pricing breakdown. Ground clearance measures 9.65 inches, up 1.38 inches from 2026. Approach, breakover and departure angles are 25, 23 and 25 degrees, and the stock tires are 275/60R18 all-terrain.
However, the Passport has no low range. It relies on a Trail mode and torque-vectoring clutches, as our Passport first drive results explain. Honda lists the TrailSport at 20 mpg combined, and towing tops out at 5,000 pounds.
What This Means for You
Your next move depends on what you drive and when you need it. If you shop for an Acura MDX today, these filings change nothing. Acura says the MDX, ADX and Integra all receive meaningful enhancements for the 2027 model year. The 8-passenger SUV above the MDX has no date.
If you want a trail-ready Honda family SUV now, the Passport TrailSport is reaching dealers at $49,995. Waiting for the Acura means waiting more than a year, because Acura says the adventure SUV arrives in the first part of 2028. Acura has not published a price.
If you drive sand, snow or mud, plan around the Passport’s missing low range. Traction boards and a shovel get a stuck crossover moving again. Pack them before you need them.
A first aid kit belongs in the same bag, because remote forest roads often lack cell service. Help takes time to arrive out there. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit .5 packs light for a day bag. EVERLIT 250 Pcs Survival First Aid Kit carries more supplies for the vehicle. SurviveX Large First Aid Kit covers three or four people.
Trail first aid kits for remote roads
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit .5
EVERLIT 250 Pcs Survival First Aid Kit | IFAK Outdoor Survival Kit …
Final Thoughts
Four short names make a good guessing game, and the TDX and LDX guesses are reasonable. Still, the paperwork tells you less than Acura’s roadmap, and the roadmap tells you less than a spec sheet.
Here is where the wait leaves you. Acura says an adventure-ready SUV arrives in the first part of 2028, and Honda has filed names it might use. Everything else waits for an Acura announcement. If you need a capable family SUV sooner, the Passport TrailSport is reaching dealers now. Its limits are plain: no low range and 20 mpg combined.
Watch for three signals from Acura: an official name, a first price and a spec sheet with ground clearance and tire size. Those details will settle the TDX question. Until then, enjoy the guessing and keep your trail gear packed.
FAQ
What is the Acura TDX?
Honda filed TDX as a trademark on October 16, but Acura has not confirmed it for any model. Jalopnik guesses the name belongs to the adventure-ready SUV due in the first part of 2028.
What is the Acura LDX?
LDX is another name Honda filed. Jalopnik guesses it fits the 8-passenger SUV above the MDX. Acura has confirmed neither the name nor a launch date.
What do TYPE-TRAIL and TYPE T mean?
Neither has an official meaning yet. Both look like badge names, similar to Acura’s Type S performance badge. Honda has not said which models would wear them.
Is the new Acura adventure SUV based on the Honda Passport?
Reports expect it to be, but Acura has not confirmed a platform. Acura describes the model only as delivering capability for outdoor adventures, with premium styling, comfort and technology.
When does the Acura adventure SUV arrive?
It arrives in the first part of 2028, according to Acura. No date exists yet for the 8-passenger SUV.