Honda Elevate – Expert Review

The story of compact SUVs began with the Renault Duster which was tipped over by now India’s favourite Hyundai Creta. That said, Honda Cars India who have been popular with their product offering, especially in the sedan segment abstained from the category for many years until very recently with the introduction of their only SUV - the Elevate. This statement does not mean that up to now they have not offered customers any SUV. They did sell the Honda CR-V for almost 2 decades.

So how does the Elevate fit in all of that? It is compact, has Honda’s credentials, and offers an SUV feel. Let us now take a closer look.  

Honda Elevate - Exterior Design

The presence of Japanese flavor is very much evident in its profile. The SUV appears imposing and chunky. Being an avid Honda Cars fan, I have my views on the way the grille has been designed. It could have been a bit more compact nevertheless it reinstates the brand logo. The chrome bar adds character while the headlamps, the skid plate, and fog lamps help complete the front look. One of its stronger points has to be the 220mm ground clearance. 

The moment we come to the sides, the presence of black plastic cladding is evident. The subtle use of flared wheel arches provides it with an appeal. The silver cladding further helps its cause. As you can see the chrome bits in the form of door handles and rain visors are part of aftermarket fitment. The presence of 17-inch alloy wheels complements overall proportions. 

Towards the rear, the slanting tailgate offers a roof-mounted spoiler and L-shaped LED tail lamps that are connected via a bar. The model name Elevate comes embossed alongside a dual-tone chunky bumper (black and silver) to help complete the design.   

Honda Elevate – Interior Layout 

Now that we are on the inside, the dashboard layout as you can see comes across as premium and conventional. For instance, I like this wooden insert while the leatherette material also feels upmarket. In the center, you will find a 10.25-inch touchscreen that offers functions like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Though it misses out on navigation. The system is intuitive and allows you to control most functions with ease. The sound system also works well to play your favorite music track.

Speaking of AC controls, they feature toggle switches with an elegant screen. The AC vents in the front are a bit small to my liking. I have always liked the instrument clusters that Honda makes and this one is no different. It displays all relevant information about the compact SUV. Feature-wise, there is no panoramic sunroof like most competition but you will get a single-pane sunroof. For added convenience, there is wireless phone charging thrown into the package. It lacks an electronically adjustable driver seat plus there are no ventilated front seats on offer.

If ignored, what you do get are comfortable seats upfront with a great amount of cushioning while the lumbar support is also pretty decent. When we look at the rear seats, the compartment offers a good amount of head, shoulder, and legroom. Their cushioning, under thy and lumbar support, is also very good. Can you accommodate 3 individuals? Well, it would be a tight fit due to the center seat which is a bit raised. That said, from a convenience point you get flaps behind the front two seats for storing stuff and a separate pocket to keep your mobile phone handy. The cabin does not provide sunblinds but instead, you do benefit from rear AC vents. 

To store luggage, this SUV offers 458 litres of space and the loading bay also is not too high. Thereby indicating its practicality. 

Honda Elevate - Drive and Performance

How is it to drive? The intent on behalf of the manufacturer is crystal clear. To offer a true SUV feel, what you get here is a high seating position that allows you to get a perfect view of the road ahead and around. Under the skin, the Honda Elevate comes equipped with Honda’s tried and tested 1.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine. The same power unit can also be found on the Honda City. 

Speaking of power figures, then it aims to deliver a maximum power output of 121 bhp with 145 Nm of peak torque. The power plant feels refined in both the city and on the highway with seamless power delivery available on the tap of the throttle. With a good ground clearance, the ride quality on the SUV is decent as it manages to soak in potholes and broken roads with utter ease. Given its stance, the vehicle handles fairly decently as it provides a minimum amount of body roll. From a usability perspective, there is no 360-degree camera for the driver but the person can still make do with both front and rear cameras. To keep things in sync there are also lane watch cameras on either side. 

Honda Elevate – Verdict

Is the Honda Elevate worth your attention while buying your next new compact SUV? Well, the attempt made by the Japanese automaker seems to be a good one as they have got quite a few things right with the Elevate. The brand has managed to retain key attributes like an imposing exterior design, premium quality interior, comfort, performance, and good driving dynamics. Though the lack of features and powertrain options might turn away a few buyers but then loyal customers and Honda fans in my opinion will want to check out this vehicle. For reference, it is priced between Rs 11.69 lakh to Rs 16.43 lakh (ex-showroom).