Honda Elevate, Honda's first mid-size SUV, is set to debut in India soon, competing against strong rivals. With a subtle design, it boasts a spacious and posh interior, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen and safety-enhancing ADAS. The SUV is powered by a 1.5L petrol engine and offers two transmission options. The starting price is expected to be around Rs 11 lakh, with the top variant possibly reaching Rs 17 lakh. Launching during Diwali, the Elevate aims to carve its place in the competitive mid-size SUV market.

The mid-size SUV market is fiercely competitive, and soon, Honda will be making its first-ever foray into this segment with the Honda Elevate. Recently, the Elevate made its global debut in India, and it is set to be launched in the country by the festive season this year. Honda has already confirmed that the order book will open soon, as the company prepares to take on strong contenders like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, and others.

With such tough competition, the Honda Elevate has an essential task ahead of it. But will it succeed? In our first-ever static interaction with the Elevate, we'll explore and share our thoughts on its potential in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.

Honda Elevate: Breaking Boundaries with Segment-Defying Looks

The Honda Elevate exudes a subtle and classy design philosophy, embracing understated elegance. Its front end features a flat nose and a high-set bonnet, accentuated by a large, square radiator grille finished in piano black. Triangular fog lamp housings and a slim scuff plate adorn the bumper, though some visual bulk may be perceived. The full-LED headlamp cluster, with sleek whiskers for LED DRLs, adds a touch of premium appeal.

Distinctive styling elements include black cladding, squared-off wheel arches, and chunky silver-finished roof rails, lending the Elevate a commanding stance. The side profile is appealing, with chrome-finished door handles boasting rubberised buttons for request sensors, although proximity sensors are absent. With dimensions of 4,312 mm length and 1,650 mm height, the Elevate's design showcases its substantial presence. However, the lack of a quarter glass in the thick pillar slightly affects the perceived size.

The tail section, measuring 1,790 mm in width, features L-shaped wraparound tail lamps with a reflector mimicking a connected-style setup, presenting a classy appearance. Compared to the front fascia, the rear facet exudes more prominence with additional cuts and creases. While the Elevate possesses a strong road presence that may contribute to its demand, some critics note a desire for sharper styling elements.

Honda Elevate: A Posh Interior to Complement its Elegance

The Honda Elevate impresses with its solid build quality, evident in the reassuring thud of the closing doors. The cabin exudes the distinctive Honda flavor, offering a blend of familiarity and freshness. While the dashboard layout features a new design, it retains the essence of Honda's signature style, evoking a mix of opinions among enthusiasts. Elements like the steering wheel and climate control panel are borrowed from the City, while the layers on the dashboard draw inspiration from the City's design, contributing to cost efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Setting itself apart from the City, the Elevate boasts a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with wireless connectivity options. It also comes equipped with an L2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) kit, featuring lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more, ensuring enhanced safety.

Although the Elevate excels in spaciousness, offering abundant legroom, headroom, and knee room for four occupants to travel comfortably on long journeys, it does make some concessions on convenience features. Notable omissions include ventilated and power-adjustable seats, a 360-degree parking camera, and a rear center headrest.

The seats in the Elevate are commendably comfortable and supportive, enhancing the overall travel experience. With ample boot space of 458 liters, the Elevate stands out with the best-in-class cargo capacity, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a combination of comfort and practicality.

Efficient Performance: Powertrain Options in the Honda Elevate

Propelling the Honda Elevate is a 1.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, borrowed from the City model. With a peak power output of 121 PS and a peak torque of 145 Nm, this engine provides ample power for everyday driving needs. The Elevate offers two transmission choices - a 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), ensuring a smooth and engaging driving experience.

While the Elevate's powertrain delivers commendable performance and brings volume to the segment, it does not include a strong-hybrid powertrain option. However, Honda is planning to introduce an all-electric version of the Elevate in the near future, catering to those seeking an eco-friendly and emissions-free driving experience.

Potential buyers in search of more powerful turbo-petrol engines, diesel options, or strong-hybrid setups may need to explore other models in the segment. Nonetheless, the Honda Elevate's 1.5L petrol engine offers a balance of efficiency and performance, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a reliable and fuel-efficient SUV.

Coming Soon: Honda Elevate - Price & Launch Date Revealed

The highly anticipated Honda Elevate is projected to make its market debut with an expected starting price of approximately Rs 11 lakh, while the top-end variant may reach around Rs 17 lakh. There is a possibility that Honda might adopt an aggressive pricing strategy for this SUV. Enthusiasts eagerly await Diwali this year when the Honda Elevate will officially be available for purchase in the Indian market, providing clarity on its pricing and features.