The anticipation has finally come to an end as Honda’s highly awaited offering, the Honda Elevate, has stepped into the spotlight, captivating the Indian automotive arena with its remarkable blend of innovation and performance.
With a single glance at the Honda Elevate, the shift in the company’s SUV strategy becomes evident. This mid-size SUV breaks away from Honda’s tradition of low-slung designs, standing tall at 1,650mm with an impressive 220mm ground clearance.
While this move might seem unconventional for Honda’s engineering purists, who usually prioritize sleekness for better dynamics, history has shown that customers are drawn to SUVs that exude a robust presence. Past models like the BR-V and CR-V, both with lower stances, lacked the desired SUV image in the Indian market.
On the contrary, the Honda Elevate appears to effortlessly align with the preferences of the Indian SUV enthusiast community. Only time will unveil its true reception among the masses. Thus far, the initial response has been notably positive, albeit accompanied by minor concerns regarding the absence of advanced technological features.
Honda Elevate – Exterior Design
The Honda Elevate breaks its own rules to match what Indian customers crave: a strong road presence. Its bold, upright stance is proof that Honda is ready to adapt. While Honda’s entry into the SUV world is late, the Elevate aims to stand out. Its huge grille, big dimensions, and tough look help it make an impact. The front has a sturdy, upright look, and the high bonnet line connects smoothly to the tall window line and the special C-pillar.
Unlike some rivals with lots of lines on the sides, Honda keeps it simple yet powerful. The Honda Elevate has big wheel arches that look strong. The tires are bigger than what we saw on the Honda City, filling the wheel arches better. Tough scuff plates at the front and back, roof rails, a strong C-pillar, and side cladding all give the Elevate a true SUV style.
The Elevate also pays attention to small things, like the lights. The slim headlights look great with the big grille. They use LED lights for turning and high and low beams. The back has dual-LED tail-lights that make the Elevate look wider.
Honda Elevate’s design is bold and intentional. Its strong stance, impressive size, and smart details work together to make a statement on the road.
Honda Elevate – Interior Design
Within today’s car market, an enticing cabin packed with tech and ease is a must. Yet, Honda’s product planners underestimated the rapid escalation of expectations when they conceived the Elevate. Upon entering the cabin, it becomes apparent that it won’t dazzle with cutting-edge aesthetics or state-of-the-art gadgets.
Initial impressions point to an ordinary cabin and that’s about it. While the leather and faux wood dashboard inserts offer some ambiance, the materials lack the plushness found in rivals like the Kia Seltos. Yet, a closer assessment reveals a cabin built to withstand time, employing long-lasting materials. Air conditioning controls, thankfully retained as physical buttons, exhibit solidity and tactile satisfaction. Notably, the lever-style button for the blower and temperature control provides a satisfying feel. Air vents move smoothly, door levers feel substantial, and everything conveys durability.
Shared components from the Honda City include the steering wheel, control stalks, and window switches. However, the Honda Elevate features one-touch operation only for the driver’s window, unlike the City. While the City boasts rain-sensing wipers and LED cabin lights, the Elevate goes without. Unfortunately, there’s no panoramic sunroof either, just a single pane and cooled seats are absent too.
This approach contrasts with the KiaSeltos facelift, which was launched last month, and includes these features. It leaves one pondering why Honda didn’t equip the Elevate with what modern SUV buyers would anticipate. Yet, the Elevate does offer essentials like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and a substantial 10.25-inch touchscreen. Honda is lauded for including physical buttons for frequently used functions. The hybrid digital-analog instrument cluster may look dated, but the 7-inch TFT color multi-information display (MID) packs customization options for keyless access, lighting, door operation, and the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) known as Honda Sensing.
Honda Elevate’s ADAS functions include Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lead Car Departure Notification System. An Auto High Beam function intelligently toggles between low and high beams, enhancing night driving.
The Elevate’s cabin boasts smart storage solutions and seats that prioritize comfort. The seats offer under-thigh support and a well-calibrated foam density, striking the ideal balance between firmness and softness. Behind the wheel, a typically Honda driver-centric layout prevails. The infotainment system is optimally positioned, the pedals are well-spaced, and the controls are intuitive. Visibility is excellent, promoting a sense of control. Honda excels in seat comfort.
In the rear, ample headroom and legroom ensure comfort, boosted by an elevated ‘H-point’ that encourages an upright seating position. The cabin width accommodates two passengers comfortably, though a third can be accommodated. The middle passenger lacks a headrest and features a lap strap, owing to the 60:40 seat split, enhancing luggage space while featuring a 458-liter boot capacity.
Clever cabin features include slots flanking the handbrake for large smartphones and a spacious shelf in the center console with a wireless charging pad. A dedicated button prevents overheating while utilizing the shelf for storage.
In addition, the Honda Elevate provides substantial storage bins in all four doors. However, the glove box and central storage could have been more accommodating. The front offers a pair of convenient USB-A ports, while a rear 12V socket allows charging. However, the absence of USB-C ports, increasingly common, marks a notable gap in staying current.
In essence, the Honda Elevate’s interior design thoughtfully combines practicality with functionality. It emphasizes practical layout, well-designed storage, and seating comfort, while some amenities are missing, raising pertinent questions.
Honda Elevate – Engine & Performance
The heart of the Honda Elevate beats with Honda’s familiar 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, offering a choice between a CVT automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission. This engine, seen before in the City lineup, takes the spotlight in the Elevate. However, unlike its sedan sibling, the Elevate skips the hybrid variant. Sharing the 6-speed manual with the City, the Elevate makes slight tweaks for its added weight, ensuring a manageable driving experience.
It starts off briskly and maneuvers well in city traffic. But when you push it hard, you feel the engine’s limitations—145Nm of torque and a weaker low-end power. The engine does show flexibility, pulling smoothly from low revs up to its 7,000rpm limit. But at lower revs, it feels sluggish and needs a higher push to perform. This means shifting gears often to stay in the power zone above 4,000rpm. At higher revs, the Elevate gets loud on highways, needing frequent downshifts for overtaking. On hilly roads, you’ll notice a gap between second and third gear.
The Honda Elevate could benefit from a strong hybrid or turbocharged engine for more power. Having just one engine option places it with lower-segment SUVs. The CVT automatic is great for city traffic, and paddle shifters work like a regular gearbox. But on highways, there’s a bit of a delay in power delivery.
Official figures show the Elevate isn’t as fuel-efficient as its turbo rivals, with 15.31kpl and 16.92kpl for manual and CVT versions respectively. But in real-world driving, it’s likely to be the most fuel-efficient petrol mid-size SUV.
Honda Elevate’s Riding & Handling
In the realm of ride and handling, Honda has masterfully crafted the Elevate to set a new benchmark. Its performance in this domain is truly exceptional. The steering steals the spotlight, offering precise control, especially at lower speeds, and progressively firm up as you accelerate.
The Elevate showcases a harmonious balance between its front and rear, resulting in minimal body roll despite its taller stance. This translates to predictability around corners and ease in maneuvering. Braking is just as impressive, responding progressively. Even with rear drum brakes, braking performance remains strong.
The Elevate’s suspension is thoughtfully designed, offering a slightly firmer setting that works wonders. It maintains body stability even at high speeds on wet highways, handling standing water with confidence. However, the traditional wipers struggled in heavy rain, revealing their limitations. Remarkably, the Elevate conquered rain-damaged roads with ease, despite its tires having shorter sidewalls.
Honda Elevate – Final Thoughts
The Honda Elevate has attracted a lot of attention, but it’s entering a tough market segment. Many will be drawn to it simply because it’s a Honda, while others will love its bold look. Beyond appearances, the Elevate impresses with its comfortable cabin. The roomy rear seat with ample legroom and headspace will win over many.
But, it’s held back by offering only one engine choice – the 1.5-liter i-VTEC. It’s a bit disappointing that Honda didn’t offer stronger engine options. Still, the Elevate delivers an enjoyable driving experience and is easy to handle for daily use. If the pricing is competitive, it could be a practical and reliable choice.
While it might not have all the fancy features of some competitors, its spacious interior and smooth ride give it a strong position in the SUV market. For those who want a dependable and practical SUV, the Honda Elevate is definitely worth considering.
Kindly view this video showcasing insights from Honda Official. Munetsugu Kaneko, the Honda Elevate project leader, narrates the vehicle’s development journey. Notably, the car’s visual appeal significantly outshines standard YouTube reviews. Its commanding road presence, poised stance, and sheer elegance are truly captivating. Although I am not sure if the real car will look exactly like the one in the official video, just one look can make you forget about any small issues. This sheer beauty might compel you to buy your Honda Elevate, right away.
Currently, Honda is actively accepting pre-bookings for the anticipated Elevate model. While specifics regarding the launch date and pricing remain undisclosed, industry expectations align towards a competitive starting price of approximately INR 11 Lakhs. This strategic pricing aims to position the Honda Elevate strongly amidst its formidable array of competitors. Should you be inclined towards securing your own Honda Elevate or seeking further details about this SUV, you can conveniently access Honda’s official website through the following link >> Honda Car India.
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