Honda Elevate The SUV that did wonders in simplicity!
Whenever SUVs are talked about in India, people talk about Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos or Tata Nexon. But Honda, which was known for sedan cars till now, has now entered the world of SUVs as well – and this time the name is Honda Elevate. Let's know what is special in this new SUV and what are the shortcomings that are worth paying attention to.
What does it look like at first glance?
On seeing Elevate for the first time, it becomes clear that Honda has played it safe this time. Neither has an attempt been made to show too much style, nor has it been kept too simple. The car looks muscular from the front – wide grille, LED headlamps and strong bonnet – everything gives an SUV-like feel. From the side, alloy wheels and body cladding enhance its aura, and at the rear, the design of the taillamps is also sleek.
Ground clearance is good – meaning you don’t have to worry about potholes or uneven roads.
How do you feel when you sit inside?
The Elevate’s cabin is clean and user-friendly. The dashboard is simple but the quality feels good. The touchscreen is large and responsive, and essentials like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are included.
The seats are comfortable – especially the front seats offer good support. There is no dearth of space for pillion passengers either. And yes, the boot space – that is, luggage space – is quite large. More than what you would need for a family trip.
How does it drive?
The Elevate gets Honda’s trusted 1.5-litre petrol engine – the same one that powers the City. This engine is neither too powerful nor too weak. Just perfect for simple and smooth driving.
If you drive a manual gear, it is fun. The CVT (automatic) version is comfortable, but on fast acceleration, there is a slight 'slow response' feeling - which is called 'rubber band effect' in automobile language.
Talking about mileage?
If you drive in the city, it goes up to 14-15 km/l and comfortably up to 16-17 km/l on the highway. If you do not drive too fast, then you will get better mileage. Honda cars are not stingy about mileage anyway.
Technology and features
The technology given in Elevate is quite sensible. It has an ADAS system called Honda Sensing - meaning the car can brake itself, gives alerts if it strays from the lane, and also adjusts the cruise control itself.
Apart from this, you will get things like 6 airbags, ESP, rear camera, digital display.
But there are some things missing – like 360 degree camera, ventilated seats, electric seat adjust, panoramic sunroof etc. which are available in other SUVs of today.
Suspension and Driving Experience
The biggest feature of this car is its comfortable ride. Be it Delhi traffic or the broken roads of a hilly village, the suspension of Elevate works wonders. Handling is also good – confidence remains while turning the car.
Yes, some people may find the rear seat suspension a bit stiff, but the overall ride quality is good.
Price and Variants
The starting price of Elevate is around ₹ 11 lakh and the top model goes up to ₹ 16 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in four trims – SV, V, VX and ZX. Manual and automatic options are available in every trim.
Who is this car for?
If you want an SUV that is not too showy but is a reliable companion for everyday tasks – then Elevate is a great choice. It is for those who are looking for 'value for money', want longevity and are satisfied with Honda's service.
If you want a long list of features, then Creta or Seltos might suit you more. But if simplicity, reliability and comfort are your priority – then Honda Elevate will not disappoint.