Honda Elevate

Honda Elevate Review

Honda had a stark absence from the compact SUV space for a while, which is one of the most populated segments in the Indian automotive industry. And after years of anticipation, Honda finally introduced a compact SUV to the Indian market in 2023 — the Elevate. In many ways, the Elevate is what the Honda WR-V envisioned to be, but it was let down by its MPVesque design language, and lacklustre interiors. The Elevate fixes both of those errors; but is it worth the time we have had to wait for it? And more importantly, is it better than its long list of rivals, including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq, and many others? 

Honda Elevate Pros and Cons 

Honda Elevate Exterior Design 

Ditching the WR-V’s angular design, the Elevate has adopted a butch, upright stance which screams SUV. Its front end features a buff nose and  high bonnet line, accentuated by a massive, flat grille which adds to its strong appearance. The grille is adorned with a thick chrome strip at the top which seamlessly integrates into the sleek LED headlamps. The Elevate’s muscular stance is carried over to the side with clean body lines, complemented by thick 215/55 tyres on stylish 17-inch alloys. The dual-LED tail-lights give the Elevate a wider look from the back. Other elements like beefy silver scuff plates, roof rails, and substantial body cladding, along with class-leading 220 mm ground clearance, complete its rugged SUV look. While there’s nothing to fault with the Elevate’s exterior design, it does look very mainstream. Typically Honda.

Honda Elevate Interiors 

The interiors are typically Honda too, with high-quality brown leatherette upholstery twinning with black plastics and pseudo wood inserts, making for a clean and mainstream design. The functional design sees some elements borrowed from the Honda City, which is not a bad thing. The AC vents though, don’t look as beautiful as the rest of the interior, and Honda perhaps could’ve put a little more work in designing them. The 10.25-inch floating touchscreen sits atop the central AC vents, similar to the interior layout of the new Jeep Compass. Ergonomics are well-considered too, with easily accessible controls and an ‘elevated’ seating position offering a commanding view. There's also ample storage and charging provisions throughout the cabin, and the 458-litre boot, coupled with 60:40 split rear seats, adds to the practicality.

Honda Elevate Comfort 

The Elevate is one of the more spacious and comfortable compact SUVs, and boasts beautifully crafted seats that provide excellent comfort. The front seats are well-bolstered and provide great cushioning, and the legroom at the back is also one of the best in the segment. The rear bench is contoured to provide great seating for two passengers, so the middle passenger won’t be as comfortable. But the expanse of space on offer makes up for it. The long-travel suspension, while slightly firmer, is tuned well to deliver a comfortable and flat ride. The SUV's wide tracks, extended wheelbase, and wide tyres contribute to a stable and confident driving experience, and that coupled with minimal body roll makes it predictable and easy to manoeuvre through corners.  

Honda Elevate Performance and Handling

The Honda Elevate is powered by a sole 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which is the same one as the Honda City, albeit slightly re-tuned. It can be paired with either a CVT automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine responds to throttle inputs well, offering sharp and predictable power delivery. The manual gearbox has shorter gearing to compensate for the SUV's additional weight, resulting in quicker acceleration times compared to the City. The 7-step CVT provides a smooth driving experience, especially in urban conditions. Paddle shifters add a degree of control, but the 'rubber band' effect under hard acceleration is still noticeable. Both the manual and CVT versions have shorter final drive ratios compared to the City, affecting their top speeds but maintaining similar rolling acceleration times as its sedan sibling. However, while this engine will satisfy most buyers, enthusiasts will crave more power. Honda has no plans to introduce another engine option with the Elevate, and even the City’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain isn’t making its way to the compact SUV. An Elevate EV is in the works though, and is likely to hit the showroom floor in 2025.

Handling is a strong point for the Elevate. The steering is precise, and weighs up well at higher speeds, adding a layer of confidence. The well-damped yet slightly firm suspension setup ensures stability while maintaining minimal body roll, making the SUV predictable and enjoyable to drive through corners.

Honda Elevate Key Specifications 

Honda Elevate Safety Features

The Honda Elevate is equipped with Honda Sensing suite, which gets camera-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), enhancing its safety profile. This includes collision mitigation braking system, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation system, and a lead car departure notification system. Additionally, it features an auto high beam function that automatically adjusts the headlights — a feature that comes in handy on single lane state highways. However, the performance of these camera-based systems can be limited in low visibility conditions. The lane keep assist function, for instance, only activates above 72 km/h, and requires clear lane markings to function effectively. The Adaptive Cruise Control performs well though, adjusting the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. The Elevate is equipped with other basic safety features as well, like six airbags, ABS, EBD, vehicle stability assist, ESC, traction control, hill assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts and a rear parking camera with sensors. And while the Elevate hasn’t been crash tested yet, Honda is confident that it will return a great score, thanks to its robust construction and a host of safety features.

Honda Elevate Technology and Infotainment

On the tech front, the Honda Elevate is graced by a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which has pretty much become the norm in the segment. A welcome addition over some rivals though is the inclusion of shortcut buttons, which helps interacting with the system easier while driving. The system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with e-SIM-based remote connectivity through the Honda Connect app. The user interface of the screen is straightforward and simple to navigate too, but it would have benefitted with some additional features. The instrument cluster is also a traditional looking analog one, with a small MID sitting in between the tachometer and speedometer.

Is the Honda Elevate for You?

The Honda Elevate doesn’t really stand out on one particular aspect, but instead is a very capable all-rounder. It has good looks, good performance, good comfort, and a well-finished and spacious cabin. It does lack features, and powerful or hybrid powertrain options, which rivals do provide. But the top-end variants of the Elevate also undercut those of its rivals, making it a good choice for someone who is looking for a no-fuss compact SUV which can provide a comfortable ride and adequate performance.