Honda Elevate: All you need to know

The much-awaited Honda Elevate is finally coming to India later this year. Honda has been missing from the much sought-after mid-size SUV segment that has seen a presence from almost all the mass-segment manufacturers present in the Indian market. The Elevate will be arriving in the market soon and here is everything that you need to know about the car.

You can now book Honda Elevate

The new Honda Elevate is now available for booking at authorized Honda dealerships throughout India. Interested customers can reserve their Elevate by paying a refundable booking amount of Rs 21,000. It’s worth noting that in the event of cancellation, this amount will be returned.

Launch and deliveries in the festive season

The pricing details for the Elevate will be disclosed in September 2023, and deliveries are scheduled to commence in the same month. Honda really wants to capitalise on the festive buying momentum and will start the deliveries when most Indians plan to take the deliveries of their vehicles as these are auspicious dates.

Designed for India

The Honda Elevate, a global model, has been specifically crafted with India in focus. It emphasizes that the car has undergone meticulous engineering to cater to the preferences of Indian buyers, both young and old. The exterior design of the Honda Elevate has been meticulously sculpted, taking into consideration the desires of the younger generation. You can see the Honda Elevate SUV in action here.

The SUV showcases a more robust and muscular presence, characterized by sharp body lines and distinctive features. Furthermore, it highlights the bold design of the front fascia, complemented by a high beltline that enhances both its visual appeal and passenger safety.

Based on the Honda City platform

The new Elevate will be based on the same platform as the Honda City. It is the same Global Small Car platform that underpins the sedan. The sharing of the platform ensures low development costs and will ensure a competitive price tag on the car as well. We have a photo gallery of the Honda Elevate SUV for you here.

Honda Sensing

Similar to the Honda City, the Elevate is equipped with the advanced Honda Sensing ADAS suite. This comprehensive suite of safety features comprises a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist. These cutting-edge safety technologies enhance the overall safety and driving experience of the Honda Elevate. It will also get camera-mounted left-hand ORVM that will work as Lane Watch system.

Only petrol engine option

Currently, the new Elevate will be equipped with a single-engine option. It will be powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine, which generates 121 PS of power and 150 Nm of torque. This particular engine is currently utilized in the Honda City mid-size sedan. It is possible that Honda may fine-tune the power characteristics to better align with the SUV’s unique form factor.

In terms of transmission choices, the Elevate will offer similar options to those found in the Honda City. Customers will have the flexibility to choose between a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT gearbox, depending on the specific variant. However, Honda does not plan to introduce a hybrid powertrain for the Elevate, despite it being available in the City sedan.

EV coming soon

Honda Car India has confirmed that they will bring the electrified version of the Elevate will come in the next three years. Honda is yet to step into the electric vehicle market. Even though the brand has not confirmed the exact details including the range and features of the Elevate EV, it is coming to the market for sure.

Honda Elevate SUV’s competition in India

The Honda Elevate is set to enter the competitive midsize SUV segment, where it will face off against formidable rivals including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross. With an expected starting price of around Rs 11 lakh, the base variant of the Honda Elevate aims to deliver excellent value for money. Among its challengers, the Hyundai Creta is anticipated to be the primary rival for the Honda Elevate.

What do we expect?

The Honda Elevate stands out visually – which is a big deal in the mid-size SUV market. Honda’s designs recently have been pretty much middle-of-the-road – the Honda City pales in comparison to the Volkswagen Virtus or Hyundai Verna, most would agree. However, the Elevate has a distinct design language that could click with the buyers. It can easily hold its own in a line-up of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder or the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun. Size-wise, the Elevate is adequate and matches or exceeds. A potential weakness is the lack of engine options. While the 1.5 litre petrol engine is a good performer, all competitors have a range of engines on offer. For example, the 1.5 litre engine and a CVT transmission and a manual could be underwhelming for a performance enthusiast. Especially considering that the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and VW Taigun all have 150 bhp plus turbo engines with explosive power. We will have to see if the Honda’s reputation for reliability and build quality is enough to wean buyers away from the established players.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered