Honda is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated Elevate SUV on September 4, with static display vehicles already reaching dealerships. The Elevate is Honda’s entry into the rapidly growing midsize SUV market, a segment that includes competitors like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Grand Vitara.
Honda Elevate Expected Pricing and Powertrain
The starting price for the Honda Elevate is anticipated to be around Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). Under the hood, it packs a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with two gearbox options – a 6-speed manual and a 7-step CVT automatic. Generating 121hp and 145Nm, the powertrain mirrors the one found in the City sedan. While Honda has confirmed that a petrol-hybrid variant won’t be available for the Elevate, they do have plans for an all-electric SUV in the future.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency
In terms of performance, the manual version of the Elevate is claimed to achieve around 15.31 kilometers per litre (kpl), while the CVT variant is estimated to return about 16.92 kpl. However, real-world figures might slightly differ from these claims.
Size and Ground Clearance
Dimensionally, the Honda Elevate is on par with its key rival, the Hyundai Creta. It measures 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width, and 1,650mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,650mm. Notably, the Elevate boasts an impressive ground clearance of 220mm, setting a benchmark in its segment.
Features and Trims
The Elevate comes in four trims – SV, V, VX, and ZX. The entry-level SV trim features LED projector headlamps, automatic climate control, 16-inch steel wheels, and dual front airbags. On the other end, the fully-loaded ZX trim boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), six airbags, a sunroof, eight speakers, premium upholstery, a soft-touch dashboard, and an auto-dimming interior mirror. It also offers a unique Phoenix Orange exterior paint option along with various dual-tone shades.
Test Drives and Expected Competition
Test drives for the Honda Elevate are set to kick off soon. Sources suggest that the pricing is projected to start from Rs 11 lakh. In the market, the Elevate will go head-to-head with formidable rivals like the Hyundai Creta, recently refreshed Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun. Each of these models comes with its own set of features, powertrain options, and price points, contributing to the dynamic competition in the midsize SUV segment.
