With the new Honda Elevate, the Japanese carmaker is all set to re-enter the extremely competitive compact SUV segment. The company's last outing in this space was with the BR-V, which although had a decent initial run, failed to impress buyers in the long run. So, is Honda’s upcoming contender capable enough to handle competition from the likes of the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos? I have answered that very question in detail, in my review of the new Elevate, which you can read here. However, if you are looking for a briefer answer, here’s a quick picture review of the new Honda Elevate compact SUV.
Also Read: Honda Elevate Review: Is It Worth The Wait?
Honda has chosen to go with a macho, squarish look for the Elevate, and it is quite visible. The scooped-out bonnet gives the SUV a muscular look, which is further accentuated by the large body-coloured bumper panel upfront.
Honda also hasn’t gone overboard with chrome details. In fact, the only chrome bit on the facia is a three-piece insert above the grill. The square face also features a large black grille with the Honda logo at the centre, flanked by a pair of sleek LED headlights, with integrated LED DRLs and LED turn indicators.
The new Honda Elevate measures 4312 mm in length and has a wheelbase that is 2650 mm long, both more than the segment leader Hyundai Creta. The SUV also has a segment-best ground clearance of 220 mm. This top-spec trim gets a set of 17-inch alloys.
Honda also offers roof rails, while at the rear you get a pair of stylish LED taillamps, which gets a connected design, but there is no light bar. Overall, a clean look that will appeal to a lot of buyers who are looking for something butch, but with subtle styling.
There is good space inside the cabin of the Elevate, and Honda has designed the interior smartly. Now, you sit a bit high inside the cabin, which gives you a commanding view of the road, but the windows are small.
Honda has gone for a beige headliner with a brown & black dual-tone interior, so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. You have a tonne of premium material, including soft-touch plastic, along with some artificial wood accents and some faux leather inserts.
While features like ventilated seats and type-C chargers are not available, you do get an electric sunroof, however, it’s not a panoramic unit like we have seen in some of the other compact SUVs.
The cabin is quite comfortable, and you won’t feel any discomfort during long drives. Honda also offers a massive boot space of 458-litres, which is a big plus.
The Elevate gets a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a wireless phone charger now, but both USB ports up front are Type-As, and there is not a single Type-C port, so keep that in mind.
The Elevate also features the Honda Connect connected car technology that offers functions like vehicle tracking, speed alert, geo-fencing, live car location sharing, unauthorized Access Alert and much more.
The Elevate offers up to six Level 2 ADAS functions which include a Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Road Departure Mitigation System. It also includes auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, and lead car departure notification system.
The Elevate only has one engine on offer - a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor. It churns out about 119 bhp, whereas the torque output stands at 145 Nm.
The engine feels a bit underpowered and strained, while the CVT automatic feels sluggish. It's good for city driving, however, highway runs might not be that exciting.
The Honda Elevate’s suspension is a bit on the stiffer side, however, it’s not uncomfortable by any means. The SUV has a nice ride quality, and it soaks in all the small undulations on the road pretty nicely.
The 6-speed manual gearbox is very good offering short throws with smooth and precise shifts. The gearbox feels like it is more suited to handle the laidback nature of the engine, and Honda has done a fine job tuning it.
The new Elevate is certainly a good attempt from Honda Cars India. It’s a well-built compact SUV that offers a good fit and finish, along with all the nice features that one might need. But Honda will have to price it aggressively so customers get good value.
