Honda Elevate

New tech and a few segment-first seat features have been added to the facelift.

Cabin Layout and Quality

• The dashboard has a dual-tone Ivory and Black colour scheme with soft-touch padding.
• The new ZX+ Black trim gets a sporty all-black interior with piano-black air vent surrounds.
• Honda has kept physical toggle switches for automatic climate control and seat ventilation.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

• The front seats are wrapped in perforated leather upholstery on higher trims.
• In the flagship ZX+ and ZX+ Black, the driver gets an eight-way power-adjustable seat.
• Both front seats feature three-stage cooling ventilation, a relief feature for Indian summers.

Second Row

• Legroom and knee room are generous here.
• The seat base has a natural height, providing proper under-thigh support.
• In a segment first, the ZX+ trims of the Elevate introduce ventilated rear seats.

Seshan says,

"In fact, during our experience, I felt like the rear seat ventilation was much more powerful than the front."

Features That Improve Daily Use

• A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Both front and rear ventilated seats
• 360-Degree Camera
• PM2.5 Air Purifier

The car’s refreshed lineup starts at Rs. 11.80 lakh for its entry-level SV manual variant, while the ZX+ trim reaches Rs. 18.58 lakh (ex-showroom).

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Because the Elevate uses a non-turbo, naturally aspirated engine, its fuel economy remains relatively stable in mixed traffic. The six-speed manual has an ARAI-certified mileage of 15.31 kmpl, while the CVT automatic returns a slightly higher 16.61 kmpl.

Observed Fuel Efficiency During Testing

While it has no Bharat NCAP crash safety rating, the Elevate did score five stars from Japan NCAP (sold as the Honda WR-V in Japan).

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

• This SUV uses Honda’s ACE body platform, which can manage crash impacts well.
• Six airbags are standard equipment across all variants right from the base SV trim.
• You also get three-point seatbelts, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and rear ISOFIX mounts.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

• Every variant comes standard with VSA, traction control, hill start assist, and ABS with EBD.
• The CVT trims get rear disc brakes alongside an electric parking brake with auto brake hold.
• Honda Sensing (Level 2 ADAS) is standard from the ZX trim upward.

The camera-based system includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Adaptive cruise control (with low speed follow on CVT models)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and road departure mitigation
• Lead car departure notification and auto high-beam

The VX and ZX trims keep Honda’s LaneWatch blind-spot camera on the left mirror. Meanwhile, the new ZX+ variants have a 360-degree surround-vision camera with front parking sensors.

The technology available in this car is a mix of updated digital displays as well as some straightforward controls.

Infotainment and Interface

• The 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on ZX and ZX+ trims.
• You get both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
• The seven-inch digital cluster sits alongside an analogue speedometer dial.
• The smaller eight-inch touchscreen is for the V and VX models of the Elevate.
• There’s an eight-speaker sound system of four speakers and four tweeters on the top trims.
• The Honda Connect boasts over 37 connected features and offers Alexa remote commands.

Seshan notes,

"The infotainment’s a smooth, easy-to-use system, so there’s little to complain about."

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• The rear ventilated seats are available on the ZX+ trims.
• Three-stage cooling on the front seats of the ZX and ZX+ keeps you comfortable.
• There is a single-pane electric sunroof that you can access from the VX trim upward.
• A wireless charging pad sits on the centre console with an independent power switch.
• ZX+ adds eight-way power-adjustable seats for the driver and a four-way for the passenger.

The Elevate has 458 litres of boot space. Its cargo bay is deep, wide, and cleanly squared off, making it easy to slide in three large travel suitcases alongside a few soft bags.

The loading lip also sits at a comfortable height, so lifting heavy luggage inside does not strain your back. All variants come standard with 60:40 split-folding rear seats, allowing you to quickly fold down a section to carry longer items when needed.

Honda’s suspension layout values comfort over uneven city streets the most.

City Driving

• The car handles speed breakers and broken road joints quietly.
• The steering wheel feels light at slow speeds, making three-point turns simple.
• The 220 mm ground clearance ensures you never scrape the SUV’s belly over rocky surfaces.

Highway Driving

• Out on the highway, the Elevate holds a confident, steady line.
• When pushing through fast curves, body roll is predictable and well-contained.
• The steering weighs up reasonably well, allowing you to maintain momentum as you go.

There are six main trims of the Honda Elevate.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• A turbo-petrol or diesel engine
• A strong-hybrid powertrain
• A panoramic sunroof

Unlike some rivals, Honda did keep essential features in reserve for the upper trims. You notice this as you keep climbing up the variant ladder.

Best on a Budget: V CVT

If you want a dependable, hassle-free automatic SUV for city traffic, the V CVT at Rs. 13.87 lakh is one trim you can take a look at. It gives you the smooth CVT gearbox, rear disc brakes, an eight-inch touchscreen, six airbags, and automatic climate control without crossing Rs. 14 lakh ex-showroom.

Best Value Overall: VX CVT

To pick up a more value-for-money variant, you can go for the VX CVT instead. At Rs. 15.47 lakh, it adds the electric sunroof, stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, connected LED tail lamps, wireless phone charging, and the useful LaneWatch camera, which means you get a well-rounded package.

Best for Comfort and Tech: ZX+ CVT

If your budget allows, the ZX+ CVT at Rs. 18.58 lakh is worth the stretch. In this one, you get segment-first rear ventilated seats, power-adjustable front seats, a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS with Low Speed Follow, which turns it into a very comfortable family car.