Honda has made a significant return to the SUV market with the global debut of its latest model, the Elevate. The unveiling event in New Delhi emphasized Honda’s commitment to the growing SUV segment. While Honda is not new to SUVs, having previously introduced the CR-V and BR-V in India, the Elevate adds a fresh and exciting option to their lineup. The booking process for the Elevate will commence in July 2023, followed by the announcement of its price.
In terms of specifications, the Elevate is powered by the same 1.5-liter petrol engine found in the City sedan. However, Honda has also revealed its plans to introduce a fully electric powertrain for the Elevate in response to the increasing demand for electric vehicles.
In terms of size and design, the Elevate bears similarities to the popular CR-V sold globally. With dimensions of 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width, 1,650mm in height, and a 2,650mm wheelbase, it aligns with competitors such as the Creta in terms of size. The SUV offers a spacious 458-liter boot capacity and an impressive ground clearance of 220mm, surpassing the Creta’s 190mm.
The exterior design of the Elevate showcases a prominent grille with the Honda logo at the center, complemented by sleek LED headlights and fog lamps. The LED daytime running lamps are connected by a substantial chrome bar, reminiscent of the City sedan. The SUV features flared wheel arches with sturdy plastic cladding, giving it a robust and muscular appearance. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, similar to the facelifted City model.
At the rear, the Elevate exhibits a slightly angled window and wraparound tail-lights connected by a red bar, resembling the latest-generation WR-V available in select markets. Additionally, there is an indentation on the tailgate designed to accommodate the number plate.
Inside the cabin, the Elevate offers a free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While it provides a single-pane sunroof, some of its competitors offer panoramic sunroofs. The SUV is equipped with a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, lane-watch camera, wireless charging, wireless smartphone integration supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a rear parking camera. Honda has also equipped the Elevate with its Sensing ADAS suite, which includes advanced safety features like collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist.
Built on Honda’s Global Small Car platform, shared with the City sedan, the Elevate is powered by a 121hp, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine generating 145Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT.
Competing in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment, the Elevate will face tough rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross. With its SUV re-entry, Honda aims to gain traction in the SUV market, given its current sedan-focused lineup in India. While pricing details for the Elevate are yet to be disclosed, Honda is expected to unveil them in the coming months.
Excitingly, the Elevate is produced in India and will also be exported to various international markets, further expanding Honda’s presence and appeal in the SUV segment. The Elevate represents Honda’s determination to make a strong impression and offer customers an enticing choice in the midsize SUV segment.
