Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate is Honda’s first real competitor aimed at the compact SUV segment that includes the like of the Creta, Seltos, Taigun and others. This is one of the most important segments with rivals packed with features and sporting multiple drivetrains and transmission options.

The Elevate arrives with a very solid value proposition in terms of it’s pricing, feature set but it’s only being offered with one engine and a manual and automatic transmission. 

In this review we will cover where it fits in the segment, what are its nearest rivals and what bringing one into your family could feel like.

Looks

The Honda Elevate takes a different path in its design compared to other Honda SUVs. It keeps things simple and classy, avoiding any bold or flashy elements. Unlike models like the CR-V, BR-V, or WR-V, which had a curvier look, the Elevate opts for an elegant and inoffensive design.

If you're looking for an SUV with an intimidating look, the Honda Elevate might not be your top choice. While it has a larger front grille and a tall stance with 220mm of ground clearance, its appeal is more urban than rugged. 

The front of the car has a flat bonnet with power domes on the sides. These not only add a bit of toughness to the look but also make you feel powerful when you're driving. You can easily see the bonnet from the driver's seat, and even if you're a bit tall, you'll get a good view from the rear seat too.

Interior

Once you're inside, you'll notice the high-quality interior. The cabin is covered in nice faux leather padding, the plastic used feels smooth, and the design is neat and easy to understand. The seats are similar to the ones in the Honda City, with a spacious floor area, making it comfortable even for slightly larger individuals.

If you're over 6ft tall, you might find that the driver's seat doesn't go as low as you'd like, and the front row headroom is just okay, especially in variants with a sunroof. Tall front passengers might brush their knees against the center console easily.

However, the rear seat doesn't have these issues. Even with the front seat pushed all the way back, a 6ft tall passenger can sit with about 6-7 inches of knee room to spare.

The rear headroom is also generous due to the scooped-out roofline, and the armrest is at a comfortable angle, not slumping onto the seat base like in the Honda City.

Features

One exciting feature of the Honda Elevate is its new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it easy to connect your phone. The interface is user-friendly, and it even has a custom Honda Elevate load screen.

The car also comes with a 7-inch digital driver's display, similar to the one in the Honda City. It's one of the best implementations of this feature in any car. You can control it using buttons on the steering wheel, and it displays information like the range, tachometer, door/boot warnings, a g-meter, and ADAS settings.

Here are some other features you'll find in the Honda Elevate:

• Adjustable Steering Wheel

• Auto Air Conditioning with Rear AC Vents

• Single-Pane Sunroof

• Auto Headlamps

• Push-Button Start with Smart-Key and Remote Engine & AC Start

• Leatherette Seats

 While the Honda Elevate comes with a lot of features, it misses out on a few compared to its competitors. It doesn't have seat ventilation, a panoramic sunroof, heads-up display, ambient lighting, or a 360-degree camera.

There are also some small misses like one-touch up/down power windows only for the driver, no 3-point seatbelt or headrest for the middle seat passenger, which the Honda City provides. Additionally, there are no type-C USB charge ports in the front (only type-A), and rear seat occupants only get a 12V charging socket. Despite being feature-rich, the Honda Elevate doesn't outshine competitors like the Kia Seltos in this aspect.

Boot

The Honda Elevate has a big boot that can easily fit luggage for a weekend trip with the family. It can hold two large suitcases and even six stacked trolley bags with the parcel tray in place. If you need more space, the rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split to make room for even more stuff.

Safety

The Honda Elevate comes with important safety features to keep you secure. It has 6 airbags, stability control, traction control, ISOFIX for child seats, and a rear-view camera. There's also a lane-watch camera that shows the passenger’s side on the infotainment system when you use the left indicator, helping you see blind spots. However, it might be less effective in low light or rain.

The car also has an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), but it relies only on cameras, unlike some other cars that use both cameras and radars. The ADAS features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keep Assist, Auto High-Beam, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lead Vehicle Departure Notification, and Road Departure Mitigation. But, it doesn't have features like blindspot monitoring or rear-cross traffic alert because it depends on a front camera.

Drive

The Honda Elevate is powered by a reliable 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol iVtec engine. You can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT with paddle-shifters. The engine gives you smooth performance for city drives and is decent on the highway. However, for quick overtakes or uphill drives with a full load, you might need to push the engine, especially between 4,000-5,500rpm.

If you prefer a more powerful performance, you might want to check out turbo-petrol options from other cars in this segment. Models like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Hyryder, with their petrol-hybrid engines, offer better acceleration, thanks to the electric motor’s immediate assistance. Keep in mind, though, that these alternatives might cost Rs 1.5-2.5 lakh more for these added benefits. The Honda Elevate won't have a hybrid option, but an electric version is expected by the end of 2026.

Between the manual and CVT, we suggest the CVT because it's smoother to use. The manual is also convenient but has a longer clutch travel and engages late in the pedal’s movement.

In terms of ride comfort, the Honda Elevate handles bad roads well and remains stable at high speeds. It manages body roll effectively, striking a good balance so that it doesn't feel too soft or bouncy on uneven roads.

Verdict

The Honda Elevate is a roomy, useful, and cozy family SUV. It may not grab attention for its features or engine choices, but it excels in providing you with just what a family car should.

While the Honda brand is known for its durability, this assurance is not unique to Honda anymore. Honda has priced the Elevate quite competitively when compared to it’s rivals but overall it is worth noting that the Honda Elevate is more like an SUV version of the Honda City rather than a significant upgrade.