The Honda Elevate has been developed specifically for markets like India and is currently not sold anywhere else in the world
As they say, it's better to be late than never and that’s just what Honda has done, the Japanese carmaker is finally ready to enter what is already a crowded mid-size SUV segment and it's going to do that with the all-new SUV the Elevate. The Honda Elevate has been developed specifically for markets like India and is currently not sold anywhere else in the world. We were at its Global Unveil in Delhi and we get you all on the latest Japanese SUV in town that would be Made in India, made for the World.
Design & Exteriors
The Honda Elevate draws inspiration from the brand's global SUVs like the HR-V, but the resemblance is fleeting at best. This is an SUV designed and developed specifically for markets like India. Honda's gone in for a traditional SUV look in the sense that the front end gets an upright nose and flat bonnet giving it an imposing presence. This is the latest Honda design language used on the grille. But this approach to styling is perhaps the reason why the 17-inch wheels look a tad small on the Elevate. There's full LED lighting at the front including the fog lamps that come with white glow. At the back, there's partial LED lighting with only the stop lamps getting that treatment. There's a red strip that runs across the boot between the tail lamps but it doesn't light up. Dimensions? This is where Honda has a slight upper hand over its rivals. The Honda Elevate measures 4,312mm long, 1,790mm wide and 1,650mm tall making it slightly bigger than best-seller Hyundai Creta. At 2,650mm, the wheelbase of the Elevate is just 1mm less than that of the best-in-segment Skoda Kushaq/VW Taigun. It also comes with a class-leading ground clearance of 220mm.
Interiors
Generous dimensions should convert into massive cabin space and first impressions suggest that the Honda Elevate does well on that front. However, we will tell you this after our detailed road test on how it actually compares against its rivals. For the dashboard layout, Honda has kept things simple and, as is the case with styling, liking or disliking it is a matter of personal preference. The steering wheel and the instrument cluster along with a lot of the switchgear have been used from the Honda City. The dashboard gets faux wood inserts and tan leatherette application to match the seat upholstery that looks premium and also feels so. Honda showcased the top-end variant of the Elevate. In its fully-loaded form, the SUV gets automatic climate control, auto-dimming IRVM, electrically adjustable and folding ORVMs, wireless phone charger, rear AC vents to name a few. There's a semi-digital instrument cluster with a configurable 7-inch display. Honda has equipped the Elevate with a 10.25-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now the current trending feature is Sunroof and the Honda Elevate gets an electric sunroof, but not a panoramic one and there are no electrically adjustable seats or ventilated front seats present too. What we liked is the loads of space available in the cabin and the generous seats in the front and rear. The boot space stands at 458 litres and turning radius at 5.2m.
Safety
The Elevate comes loaded with the Honda Sensing ADAS suite and this is what gives it an upper as compared to its rivals. As part of this package, the SUV gets features like front collision warning and braking assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lead car departure notification and auto high beam control. Also included on the safety feature list are 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill start assist, front and rear parking cameras with rear parking sensors, Lane Watch camera mounted on the left ORVM.
Engine and Transmission
Honda is offering the Elevate in one engine option which is the tried and trusted motor that also powers the Honda City. There are no plans for a hybrid variant for now, but Honda has confirmed that an all-electric SUV based on the Elevate will be launched by 2026. Powering the Elevate is the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol engine that makes 121bhp@6,600rpm and has torque figures of 145Nm@4,300rpm, Transmission options include the 6-speed manual and a 7-step CVT automatic. There is no diesel engine option for now and that would dishearten the diesel-buying buyers for sure.
Prices
The prices of the Honda Elevate have not been revealed yet. We're expecting a starting price of around Rs 11.50 lakh (ex-showroom), while the top-end variants are likely to cost around Rs 17.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Competitive pricing, as always, will be crucial in determining the success of the Honda Elevate in India. Honda Elevate bookings will officially commence in July. An exact launch date hasn't been shared by Honda but the company has announced that it will take place sometime during the festive season this year.
Competition check
The Honda Elevate goes up against highly competitive mid-sized SUV segment players that include the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun.
