The new Honda Elevate is the latest entrant in the mid-sized SUV category. Bookings for the SUV will commence from July, while launch is expected to take place during festive season – before Diwali. This mid-sized SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross.
The Honda Elevate mid-sized SUV is powered by a tried & tested 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the City sedan. This engine is capable of producing 121PS and 145Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 7-step CVT automatic. In terms of features, the SUV gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with smartphone connectivity, a 7-inch semi-digital driver’s display, a single-pane sunroof, wireless phone charging and climate control with rear AC vents.
The new Elevate also comes equipped with ADAS tech with features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, auto high beam and others. The new Honda Elevate mid-sized SUV is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 16 lakh. This SUV misses out on some of the important features that are available in most of its rivals.
Hybrid & Turbo Petrol Engines
It was speculated that the new Honda Elevate mid-sized SUV will come with hybrid & turbo petrol engines that didn’t happen. In fact, the SUV is only available with a 1.5L NA petrol engine with manual and automatic gearbox options. The City sedan is available with Honda’s 1.5L Atkinson cycle engine with e:HEV strong hybrid tech. This powertrain should be offered on the new Elevate to counter the diesel versions of the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. Honda also has turbo petrol engines – 1.0L 3-cylinder & 1.5L VTEC turbo in global line-up, which could be offered on the India-spec model.
Panoramic Sunroof
While the Elevate comes with a single-pane sunroof, a panoramic sunroof is one key feature available in most of its rivals. The Hyundai Creta, MG Astor, Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara are equipped with panoramic sunroof. In fact, the upcoming Kia Seltos facelift will also receive this feature, which is hugely popular among SUV buyers in the country.
Ventilated Front Seats
The ventilated front seats are very useful features for the warm Indian weather conditions. Except for the Astor and the C3 Aircross, this feature is offered with most of the mid-sized SUVs on sale in our market.
Powered Driver Seat
This is one important convenience feature that Honda could have been offered with the Elevate mid-sized SUV. This feature is offered with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and MG Astor. This feature enhances the user experience.
360 degree camera
The new Honda Elevate mid-sized SUV comes equipped with a rearview camera and LaneWatch camera feature. It has a camera mounted on the left wing mirror, which shows the rear traffic on touchscreen unit on using the turn indicator. Honda should have offered the 360 degree camera, which improves the overall experience while parking or just taking the car out of tight places.
Digital Driver Display
The new mid-sized SUV comes with a semi-digital instrument console with a 7-inch TFT, which is surely better the City petrol. However, a digital driver display could be a better adition to the SUV. Its direct rivals including Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor are equipped with digital driver’s display.
