India-made Honda Elevate Goes to Japan as WR-V

Yesterday was a big day for Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) as the Made-in-India Elevate was launched in the Japanese market as the WR-V. This marks a historic moment for HCIL, as it’s the first time a model is being exported from India to Japan.

This move signifies a major leap for India’s automotive industry. It showcases the country’s growing manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness. Honda’s decision to export the Elevate from India to Japan reflects the company’s confidence in delivering high-quality products from its Indian operations to customers worldwide.

Mr. Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd., expressed his pride on this occasion, stating, “The launch of the ‘Made-in-India’ Elevate as WR-V in Japan is a proud moment for all of us. This reaffirms our manufacturing potential and the growing importance of Honda Cars India in Honda’s global business strategies.”

The Elevate made its global debut in India in September last year, selling over 30,000 units in just six months. Japanese customers are expected to appreciate the WR-V’s (Elevate in India) striking looks, smooth engine and gearbox, spacious interiors and excellent ride quality.

HCIL has a track record of exporting models from its lineup to various international markets, including left-hand drive markets like Turkey, Mexico, and the Middle East, and right-hand drive markets like Nepal, Bhutan, South Africa, and SADC countries.

Mr Tsumura added, “The all-new Honda Elevate has been very well appreciated in the Indian market, becoming our key pillar of business. We are confident that we will be able to replicate this success and satisfy our global customers with the best quality and craftsmanship.”

Honda Elevate

The Elevate gets a bold and stylish SUV design, and has an imposing front end that gives it a distinct stance. The tall and wide bonnet with ridges make it look muscular, and very SUV like, and this is what the Indian SUV buyer absolutely loves. Sleek headlamps and chrome detailing give the Elevate a classy look.

The spacious cabin features a comfortable and modern design. The cabin also feels premium enough to justify the price, and gets features such as an infotainment system with a touchscreen display, automatic climate control, and a sunroof (on higher variants).

The Elevate has a single engine option: the tried and tested 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 121 Bhp of peak power and 145 Nm of peak torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic transmission. The CVT automatic is best for relaxed cruising, both inside the city and out on the highway.

While the Elevate might not be the performance of its segment, it offers a smooth and comfortable driving experience. It’s meant for those who want a high riding, high quality car with a relaxed edge, which even reflects in its excellent ride quality. Claimed mileage figures are impressive, with the CVT variant delivering up to 16.92 kmpl (ARAI certified) and the manual transmission offering 15.31 kmpl (again, ARAI certified).

Honda prioritizes safety, and the Elevate is equipped with a range of safety features. All variants get dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. Higher variants include side airbags and ADAS features such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and much more.

The Honda Elevate’s starting price is ₹ 11.57 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base SV variant and goes up to ₹ 16.42 lakh for the top-of-the-line ZX CVT variant. This places it competitively in the mid-size SUV segment, rivalling popular choices like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder.