Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate SUV uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 121 PS and 145 Nm. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual gearbox and a CVT automatic. The engine is tuned for smooth and predictable performance rather than outright acceleration.

City Driving

The Honda Elevate feels easy to drive in urban traffic. The manual version has a manageable clutch, while the CVT is particularly convenient in stop-start conditions. The naturally aspirated engine delivers its power progressively rather than with a sudden surge.

The light steering helps when making tight turns or manoeuvring through crowded streets. The upright seating position and good outward visibility also make it relatively easy to judge the SUV's dimensions.

The suspension is biased towards comfort and absorbs most everyday road imperfections without making the vehicle feel excessively soft. This makes the Elevate well suited to daily commuting.

Highway Driving

On highways, the Honda Elevate feels composed at cruising speeds and the petrol engine remains smooth when driven progressively. It is comfortable for long-distance travel, with supportive seats and a stable overall character.

Overtaking at higher speeds requires more planning than it does in turbo-petrol rivals. The naturally aspirated engine needs to be revved when quick acceleration is required, while the CVT can hold higher engine speeds during hard acceleration.

Real-World Character

The Honda Elevate's driving character is best described as comfortable, predictable and easy-going. It does not have the performance-oriented character of some turbo-petrol SUVs, but the combination of light controls, good visibility, comfortable suspension and smooth power delivery works well for family-oriented use.

The Honda Elevate India lineup is divided into SV, V, VX and ZX variants, with CVT availability beginning from the V variant. Special editions are also offered based on higher trims.

SV

The SV is the entry-level Honda Elevate variant and is aimed at buyers who want the core SUV package at the lowest price point. It provides the basic equipment and safety features needed for everyday use.

V

The V adds equipment and is the first variant available with the CVT automatic. The V CVT is therefore a relevant option for buyers who spend considerable time in city traffic and prefer an automatic transmission.

VX

The VX sits in the middle of the range and adds more convenience and premium equipment over the lower variants. It is available with both manual and CVT transmissions.

ZX

The ZX is the higher-spec variant and brings additional premium equipment, including Honda Sensing ADAS. It is available with both manual and CVT transmissions.

The special-edition versions are primarily aimed at buyers who want additional styling elements while retaining the equipment and powertrain of the corresponding higher variant.

For most buyers, the V CVT is worth considering if automatic convenience is a priority. The VX offers a useful balance of equipment and price, while the ZX is better suited to buyers who want the more comprehensive feature and safety package.

The Honda Elevate mileage depends on the transmission. The manual version has an ARAI-certified efficiency figure of 15.31 kmpl, while the CVT is rated at 16.92 kmpl.

Real-world fuel economy will vary with traffic, driving style, road conditions, vehicle load and air-conditioning use. The naturally aspirated engine can return better efficiency when driven smoothly, particularly when maintaining steady speeds on highways.

The Honda Elevate SUV has a clean and mature design rather than an aggressively styled appearance. Its upright proportions, high bonnet and large glass area give it a conventional SUV stance.

Front Profile

The front gets a wide grille with a prominent chrome element, flanked by LED headlamps and daytime running lights. The upright nose and squared-off design give the Elevate a substantial road presence without relying on excessive styling details.

Side Profile

The side profile has a long, relatively clean shoulder line and pronounced wheel arches. The SUV's tall stance and 220 mm ground clearance contribute to its practical appearance. Higher variants also feature 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Rear Profile

The rear follows the same understated design philosophy, with LED tail lamps, a sculpted tailgate and a relatively clean bumper design. Overall, the Elevate has an understated appearance that is likely to age well compared with more heavily styled rivals.

The Honda Elevate interior follows the same practical philosophy as its exterior. The dashboard is straightforward and controls are positioned for easy access rather than visual complexity. The overall cabin prioritises usability and functionality.

Front Row

The front seats offer a comfortable driving position, while the upright dashboard and commanding seating position provide good visibility. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher variants add more convenience and premium equipment.

Second Row

Rear-seat space is one of the Honda Elevate's strengths. Passengers get good legroom and headroom, making the SUV suitable for family use and longer journeys. Rear AC vents and charging provisions add to its practicality.

The upright SUV body also makes entry and exit relatively convenient for passengers, while the wide cabin is comfortable for two adults in the rear.

Boot Space & Practicality

The Honda Elevate offers a 458-litre boot, providing useful luggage space for family trips, airport runs and everyday shopping. Its combination of rear-seat room, ground clearance and boot capacity makes it a practical family SUV.

Safety is an important part of the Honda Elevate package. The SUV gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist and other electronic safety features. Higher variants add Honda Sensing ADAS technology.

Honda Sensing ADAS

Honda Sensing uses a camera-based driver-assistance system to provide functions such as Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist System. Depending on the variant and specification, other driver-assistance functions are also available.

These systems are intended to assist the driver rather than replace active driver attention. The availability of individual ADAS functions should be checked against the equipment list of the specific variant.

Passive & Active Safety

The Elevate's safety equipment also includes airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability assistance, hill-start assist, parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Higher variants offer additional camera-based assistance for easier parking and manoeuvring.

The Elevate should not be described as a 5-star-rated SUV unless the specific testing agency and applicable test are clearly identified. Safety ratings from different NCAP programmes should not be treated as interchangeable.

The Honda Elevate competes in one of India's most competitive SUV segments. Its key rivals include the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, while the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq also compete in the same broad midsize-SUV space.

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta offers a broader range of engines, transmissions and features, including turbo-petrol and diesel options. The Elevate counters with a simpler naturally aspirated petrol powertrain, comfortable ride and strong emphasis on everyday usability.

Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is positioned as a more feature-rich and styling-focused alternative, with multiple powertrain choices. The Elevate appeals more to buyers who prefer a straightforward SUV with a comfortable driving character and strong ground clearance.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Grand Vitara offers strong-hybrid and other powertrain options, making it particularly relevant for buyers focused on fuel efficiency. The Elevate instead keeps its powertrain strategy simple with its naturally aspirated petrol engine.

Compared with its rivals, the Honda Elevate's main strengths are its comfortable driving character, good visibility, spacious cabin and 220 mm ground clearance. Its limited powertrain choice is one of its main disadvantages.

The Honda Elevate has a clear set of strengths, but its straightforward approach also means that it misses some of the choices and features offered by rivals.

All in all, the Elevate offers a good mix of comfort, practicality, ease of use and high reliability. Buyers looking for outright performance, diesel economics or segment-best features should consider rivals like the Kia Seltos. 

The Honda Elevate makes sense for buyers looking for a comfortable and practical midsize SUV with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, good visibility and high ground clearance. Its straightforward powertrain and relaxed driving character suit daily commuting as well as family-oriented highway use.

The Elevate is particularly relevant if you value a spacious cabin, comfortable ride and easy-to-drive nature more than outright acceleration. The CVT is the more convenient choice for predominantly urban driving, while the manual can appeal to buyers who prefer greater control over the powertrain.

That said, the Honda Elevate isn’t a vehicle that would impress every C-SUV buyer. Those looking for stronger performance or the high frugality of a diesel engine will be disappointed. Also, it doesn’t offer the kind of fuel efficiency its CNG-powered and Strong Hybrid-equipped rivals do. Overall, though, the Honda Elevate comes across as an understated, highly practical and comfortable small SUV that focusses on strong fundamentals instead of offering segment-best features or top-class performance. Hence, it’s a pretty sensible option for those who value everyday usability, practicality, ride comfort and easy ownership experience.