Honda India had teased its upcoming mid-sized SUV in January 2023. Scheduled to be launched by mid-2023, the new mid-sized SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor. The new Honda SUV is scheduled to make its global debut in the next couple of months. Ahead of the official launch, few Honda dealerships have unofficially started accepting pre-orders for the new SUV.
The new Honda SUV is expected to be called “The Elevate”, as the name has already been registered in India. However, official details are yet to be revealed. The new model will be based on the fifth generation City platform and will be manufactured at the company’s Tapukara based plant in Rajasthan. The company aims to increase its production capacity from 540 units per day to up to 660 units, starting from April 2023.
The teaser image reveals that the new SUV will share styling cues from the global-spec CR-V and the HR-V. The front fascia will have a multi-slat grille with a signature logo, LED headlamps with LED DRls, circular fog lamps, a coupe-like tapering roof, flared wheel arches with chunky cladding. It will measure around 4.2-4.3 meters in length. Interior details are yet to be revealed; however, it is likely to get more modern cabin inspired by the global Accord & the Civic. It will have a large freestanding touchscreen and a digital instrument console.
The new Honda SUV will also come with ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) tech, which we have already seen on the City sedan. It will offer features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, automatic emergency braking, collision mitigation braking system and auto high beam. For safety and security, the SUV will get 6 airbags, ESC, VSM, hill launch assist, electronic parking brake, Lane Watch System and a 360 degree camera.
The new SUV is likely to be offered with two engine options – a 1.5L iVTEC petrol and a 1.5L Atkinson cycle with e:HEV hybrid tech. While the former is good for 121bhp and 145Nm, the hybrid engine offers a combined power output of 126bhp and 253Nm of torque. Transmission choices might include a 6-speed manual and a CVT automatic.
