The wait for Honda’s first mid-size SUV in India is over, and the Japanese automaker has finally unveiled its most anticipated SUV – the Honda Elevate. After its launch, the Honda Elevate locks horns with segment leaders like the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. Bookings for the new Honda Elevate will begin in July, with the vehicle expected to be launched around Diwali. Honda also said that it is committed to launching four more SUV models by 2030 in India.
The Honda Elevate has a striking appearance and a commanding presence. The styling is similar to that of a conventional boxy SUV. The Elevate has a bold grille with two fog lamps underneath and thin LED headlights on either side. A large Honda logo is located in the centre of the Elevate's flat nose. Like the Honda City, the headlights and the LED daytime running lights are connected by a thick chrome bar. The Elevate also has 17-inch alloy wheels like those on the facelifted City. The rear of the car has combination lamps that, similar to the front, are linked by a thick red bar. The Elevate also comes with a single-pane sunroof.
The new Honda Elevate is based on the same platform as the Honda City. The SUV is 4312mm long, 1650mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2650mm — which is 12mm longer, 140mm shorter, and has 40mm more wheelbase than the Hyundai Creta, which is the king of the segment. A 5.2-metre turning radius and a ground clearance of 200mm seem adequate for tackling beaten roads.
To give the interior an upscale feel, the dual-tone black and brown dashboard is tastefully laid out. The upholstery appears to be leatherette. The Honda Elevate comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless smartphone connectivity and can be connected to Alexa. It also comes with a 7-inch TFT colour display for the instrument cluster. Additionally, 458 litres of boot space have been provided in the Elevate which is 25 litres more than the Creta and 73 litres more than the Skoda Kushaq.
Honda has given the new Elevate with only one engine option. The SUV will get a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 119bhp and 150Nm of torque. This is the same engine in the Honda City. Transmission options have also been carried over from the Honda City, with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT gearbox.
Honda's Sensing ADAS suite, which includes a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, ISOFIX rear seat mounts, and automatic high beam assist, will be available in the Elevate. Other safety features like lane watch assist, hill climb assist, emergency stop signals, and rear parking sensors will be provided as well. A single-pane sunroof, a wireless charger, ventilated seats, rear AC vents, and wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay are other features that are offered.
Honda will begin bookings for the Elevate SUV in July of this year, with deliveries commencing around Diwali. Upon its launch, this SUV will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Seltos, the Skoda Kushaq, the Volkswagen Taigun, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the MG Astor, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross.