The Elevate gets the Honda Sensing ADAS suite and a single-pane sunroof.
At a historic occasion held in New Delhi today, Honda unveiled its newest SUV, the Elevate, to the world. This reveal marks Honda's return to the SUV industry and its entry into this fiercely competitive market niche. The CR-V and BR-V in Honda's India portfolio show that the company is not inexperienced with the SUV market, but the Elevate is a new model that they are include in their lineup. Beginning in July 2023, interested clients will be able to reserve an Elevate; further specifics regarding cost will be released at that time.
2. Will get a full EV powertrain later
3. Rivals include the Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, among others
4. Bookings to open from July;
Honda Elevate dimensions, design
The CR-V model sold in overseas markets is quite similar in appearance to the Elevate. The Elevate has a wheelbase of 2,650mm and measures 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width, and 1,650mm in height. These measurements nearly match the Creta SUV's size. In addition to its impressive 220mm ground clearance, which is higher than the Creta's 190mm ground clearance, the Elevate boasts a substantial boot size of 458 litres.
The Elevate's design exudes an intimidating presence and is distinguished by a large grille and a sleek, flat snout. Slender LED headlights and lower fog lamps are positioned above the front grille, which boldly displays the recognisable Honda emblem in the centre. Notably, a significant chrome strip connecting the headlights and LED daytime running lamps smoothly resembles a design feature seen on the City model. The striking and alluring looks of the Elevate SUV are a result of these design components taken as a whole.
When viewed from the sides, the new Honda midsize SUV has a strong, untamed aspect that is emphasised by noticeable plastic cladding and discreetly flared wheel arches. These aesthetic choices add to the SUV-like strength of the piece. The overall dynamic attitude is enhanced by the window line's progressive ascent towards the substantial C-pillar. A touch of elegance and sophistication are added to the Elevate's overall visual appeal by the 17-inch alloy wheels that resemble those on the facelifted City model.
The Elevate's rear features a slightly sloping window design and taillights joined by a stunning red bar, which adds a stand-out visual element. The wraparound taillights are comparable to the style found on the most recent WR-V, which is sold in countries like Indonesia. Notably, the Elevate's tailgate features an indentation that is particularly made to hold the licence plate, adding to the vehicle's distinct and well-organized rear appearance.
Honda Elevate interior, features
A striking 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display that is a free-standing display is included with the Elevate. A single-pane sunroof is one of the Elevate's features, setting it apart from three of its eight rivals who also have one. It's important to note that the other rivals provide a panoramic sunroof. Furthermore, it's anticipated that the future Kia Seltos facelift, which was previously furnished with a single-pane sunroof, would include this high-end feature in its updated model.
Additionally, the Elevate has a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster that gives the driver pertinent data. Additionally, it has a lane-watch camera system to increase visibility and safety. Wireless charging is a feature that makes it easy to charge devices while on the road. Furthermore, seamless communication for improved infotainment options is made possible via wireless smartphone integration with compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The car can be manoeuvred with ease and precision when parking thanks to a rear parking camera.
The Honda Elevate will include the sophisticated Sensing ADAS (sophisticated Driver Assistance System) suite. A collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist are just a few of the noteworthy features included in this complete suite. The Elevate will soon join the MG Astor as one of the few midsize SUVs that incorporate ADAS technology. To further increase the availability of such cutting-edge features in the midsize SUV market, it's important to note that the next Seltos facelift is also anticipated to have driver aid
Honda Elevate platform, powertrain
The Global Small Car platform, which also supports the Honda City car, is used to build the Honda Elevate. A 1.5-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 121 horsepower and 145 Newton metres of torque powers the SUV. This engine arrangement maintains compatibility with the Honda City's drivetrain. Either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT (Continuously Variable gearbox) sends engine power to the front wheels.
Moreover, the carmaker has also confirmed that the Elevate will get an electric powertrain in the next three years.
Honda Elevate rivals and launch timeline
The Elevate will face off against tough competitors like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, and the future Citroen C3 Aircross when it enters the extremely competitive midsize SUV sector. These well-known competitors in the market create a competitive environment where the Elevate seeks to carve out a niche and win over discerning buyers looking for a midsize SUV option.
Given that its present portfolio mostly comprises of two sedans, Honda's choice to reenter the SUV sector is a calculated one. Honda's product line is anticipated to gain from the debut of the Elevate. However, given the fierce competition in the midsize SUV industry, where other manufacturers have already secured sizable market shares, the Elevate's success will primarily depend on its price strategy. Although specifics are presently kept under wraps, Honda is cognizant of this market's level of competition and the significance of pricing. In the future months, Honda is expected to disclose price details, enabling potential buyers to assess the Elevate's value offer in comparison to its rivals.
The "mother plant," also known as the main manufacturing base, for the Elevate SUV is located in India. Honda has made it clear that it intends to sell the SUV to a number of other countries in order to attract a wider audience than just the local one. Honda's confidence in the Elevate's popularity and competitiveness on a global scale is evident in this strategic choice. Honda wants to meet the demand for the Elevate in several areas across the world by utilising its production capabilities in India.