Hyundai Creta-rivalling Honda Elevate SUV Revealed In India

• Honda Elevate globally breaks cover in India. 

• Bookings for the Elevate will open in July, launch around the festive season.

• Exterior highlights include LED headlights and tail lamps, rugged body cladding and an upright silhouette.

• Cabin features a 10.25-inch display and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster.

• Powertrain options include a sole 121PS 1.5-litre petrol engine.

• All electric Elevate EV to debut by 2026.

• Prices likely to begin from around the Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom) mark.

Honda’s contender for the compact SUV segment has finally dropped its veil. Meet the Honda Elevate - an India specific compact SUV that will be exported to global markets as well. It is a critical product for the carmaker in the country and it’s being given a befitting treatment as it strays away from Honda’s traditional nomenclature of XX-Vs (CR-V, WR-V and its ilk). Bookings will open in July and it’ll get its prices as we near the upcoming festive season, sometime around August-September.

Design

Thanks to the few teasers, we already had an idea of how the Elevate will look like. Honda has given it an upright silhouette while also looking like a traditional boxy SUV. Its front fascia is dominated by a big grille featuring horizontal slats, LED headlights and LED DRLs.

In profile, its upright stance is further accentuated while the Elevate also features rugged body cladding and chunky wheel arches. You can even spot the roof rails, ORVMs, and similar looking alloy wheels as the City sedan. A set of LED taillights connected by a black strip and the “Elevate” badging on the bootlid round off the design elements of the SUV.

Cabin And Features

Honda has given the Elevate’s cabin an upmarket appeal by using soft-touch materials all around. The compact SUV gets a premium dual tone cabin theme while sharing certain bits like the steering wheel with the City.

The Elevate is loaded to the gills with a 10.25-inch touchscreen system, connected car tech, a single-pane sunroof, auto AC, wireless phone charging, and a 7-inch digital driver’s display. Its safety net consists of up to six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The latter includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous braking system. 

Just Petrol Power

The Honda Elevate has been equipped with the City’s 121PS 1.5-litre petrol powertrain only. It is geared using either a 6-speed manual or a CVT transmission. In opposition to previous reports, the 126PS 1.5-litre strong-hybrid engine option from the City Hybrid won't be making it to the Elevate's option list.

Dimensions

The Honda Elevate has a length of 4,312mm, height of 1,650mm and a track width of 1,790mm, It also boasts a big cargo stowage space with a figure of 458-litre.

Price And Rivals

We expect the Elevate’s ex-showroom price to kick off from Rs 12 lakh . The Honda SUV will take on the VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Toyota Hyryder, MG Astor and the soon-to-be-launched Citroen C3 Aircross.