The all-new Honda Elevate has been revealed in India, pitched as a new global SUV based on the City sedan.
Scheduled to launch later this year, the Elevate will initially be produced in India for the domestic market, though Honda says its Indian division “aims to serve as an important export hub for the new model to other parts of the world, catering to the robust demand for SUVs globally”.
While an e:HEV petrol-electric hybrid version hasn’t been confirmed alongside the 89kW/145Nm 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine available at launch, Honda has confirmed a battery electric version of the Elevate is planned for launch within the next three years.
Further, the Elevate is one of five new “premium SUVs” from Honda to launch in the Indian market by 2030.
Measuring 4312mm long, 1790mm wide and 1650mm tall, with a 2650mm wheelbase; the Honda Elevate is 23mm shorter in length but 60mm taller than the HR-V we get in Australia, with a 40mm longer wheelbase. It’s also running a lofty 220mm of ground clearance.
Available LED headlights and tail lights bolster the upright and boxy exterior design, with available 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels fill the arches.
Inside, the “Progressive and Protective” cabin design dons a brown and black two-tone finish, focusing on comfort and practicality.
Honda claims the Elevate offers “top class wheelbase, clubbed with spacious head room, knee room and legroom”, while the boot measures a handy 458 litres.
Display technology includes a 7.0-inch TFT part-digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, augmented by a larger 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other available features include:
- Electric sunroof
- Rear shelf
- Cup holders
- 1L bottle holders in doors
- 60:40 split, foldable rear seats
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Walk Away Auto Locking
- 12V power outlets front, rear
- Rear climate control, vents
- Honda Connect
The Elevate will be available at launch with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated petrol engine developing 89kW and 145Nm – the latter available from 4300-6600rpm.
Six-speed manual and CVT automatic options are available, with Honda they balance “spirited driving performance” with fuel efficiency and emissions. It’s unclear whether the Elevate will offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD).
The Elevate also features the Honda Sensing suite of active safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keep assist, Lead Car Departure Notification and auto high-beam.
Beyond the Honda Sensing tech, other available features include the Lane Watch blind-spot camera system, reversing camera, ISOFIX anchor points, and six airbags.
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Honda Australia hasn’t confirmed if we’ll see the Elevate in Australia any time soon, but the new model’s “global” push and Asia-Pacific focus could put it on the cards for a future introduction.
Where it would sit in the local line-up is unclear, given its similar sizing to the HR-V, though its developing market angle could see it as a more affordable option to the more premium HR-V and ZR-V sourced from Japan.
Of particular interest is the upcoming electric version, which could be one of the first Honda vehicles to arrive in Australia under the new e:N sub-brand.
The company’s local arm told CarExpert in November 2021 electric vehicles wouldn’t be in Honda Australia’s plans for “at least 18 months”, though the emergence of the HR-V-based e:Ny1 for Europe – which has subsequently been ruled out for our market – suggests we could be waiting a little longer.
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