As the name suggests, with Elevate and its elevated proportions, Honda hopes to change its strategies for India and enter the SUV segment with a bang. Here, let’s figure out how well Honda has managed to get their long-awaited kid on the move!
Honda had given a long wait to all the fans and auto enthusiasts all over the world in the case of Elevate. It’s finally out now with a pretty impressive look, performance, and features. Elevate has been introduced to the battlefield where Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, etc rule. Come, let’s take a look at whether Honda has all the necessary weapons intact with Elevate to win the tough game!
The Looks!
With the big-black front grill, sleek LED headlamps and dapper DRLs, the Elegant takes an imposed SUV look from the front. The rear keeps a simple design with a pair of LED tail lamps that might look like connected lights but are not. In dimension, the Elevate offers an ample 2,650mm wheelbase, 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width, and 1,650mm in height. The tyres are proper 215/55 R17 rubber mounted on good-looking 17-inch alloys (on the top-spec ZX variant), which nicely fill out the wheel arches.
The use of high-tensile steel has ensured that the Elevate’s kerb weight (1,206kg to 1,258kg, depending on the variant) is in check.
The Inside
Honda carries the premium feel to the interior through the soft touch material used in the cabin. We are welcomed by the well-designed dashboard and 10.25-inch infotainment system which offers both Apple and Android connectivity. The instrument panel is a combination of digital and analogue displays. The center console also has a little binnacle for wireless charging.
The seats are extremely comfortable. They offer good leg space and thigh support which makes the car a good choice for long drives. The only miss is that they are not ventilated. The rear section offers a large bench seat with a foldable armrest. There is also a sunroof but not a panoramic one, still good enough. The boot offers a massive 458 litres of cargo space which is capable of accommodating a great quantity of luggage.
Engine, Gearbox, and Mileage
Honda offers a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which can produce 121bhp@6,600rpm and 145Nm@4,300rpm. There are two gearbox options, a 6-speed Manual Transmission, and a CVT. The MT variant claims a fuel efficiency of 15.31kmpl while the CVT bid 16.92kmpl. As part of the new policies, there will be no diesel engine. There is no hybrid powertrain as well and the Competition offers both for those with high running. It would have been great if Honda City’s wonderful hybrid system was adapted for Elevate.
Smarter: The ADAS Way!
With Level 2 ADAS capabilities which the company calls “Honda Sensing”, Elevate offers features like Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High-Beam, and Lead Car Departure Notification System. Coming with 6 airbags, Elevate makes it a safe journey for the passengers! You also get an Auto High Beam function, which automatically switches between low and high beams. However, features such as auto wipers, ICE with a subwoofer, 360-degree camera, powered driver seat, ambient lighting, etc fall on the missing part.
Drivability
The reliable and proven 1.5L i-VTEC engine is rev-happy, intended to provide better efficiency rather than rash racing mood. Because of this, the SUV might feel a bit slow in the beginning, but, if you push it, it will achieve speed pretty fast. The engine sound is audible inside the cabin at high revs. The CVT on the other hand, offers a quiet drive around the 2,000rpm mark. With the swift and reactive steering and a bit stiffer suspension which can hold the wheels to the ground at corners, the Elevate offers a decent drive.
Final Word
Definitely, a dashing SUV with dominating looks, smarter features, and cabin space that can hold five people with ease and vast boot space, The Honda Elevate becomes a good competition in the sought out 10-20 lakh price range. Apart from the slightly laggy performance compared to other opponents in this price range, Elevate almost gets it right with all other aspects.
-Vaishnav Satheesh
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