Honda Elevate borrows its heart from the Honda City sedan. This 1.5L four-cylinder iVTEC motor is well-known for its refinement and long-term reliability. It produces peak power of 121 PS @ 6,600 RPM and maximum torque of 145 Nm @ 4,300 RPM. Honda’s conservative approach on making the exteriors and interiors, unfortunately, also comes into play under the hood. The existing engine and transmission combination in itself is fantastic, but unlike competition which offers multiple powertrains, the Elevate comes only with a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) single Petrol engine option. Maruti-Toyota siblings, on the other hand, offer Hybrid and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) while the Skoda-Volkswagen twins have a powerful 1.5L turbocharged counterparts to delight the enthusiasts. For those who have a high running, Honda could have introduced its Hybrid powertrain from the City. Nevertheless, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed that an Electric Vehicle (EV) based on this model will launch in India within the next three-years. Thankfully, there’s a manual as well as automatic transmission. Just like other Hondas, this six-speed manual gearstick has short-throws and a superlight clutch. The car we’ve tested is the top-end ZX variant equipped with a seven-step automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The ARAI claimed fuel efficiency for MT and CVT are 15.31 Kmpl and 16.92 Kmpl respectively. In real-world, our CVT unit is delivering about 11-12 Kmpl in routine Delhi traffic, which I’d still call a decent figure for an automatic SUV.
The wide seats, ample room, raised height and a visible straight hood provide a wonderful and confidence-inspiring view for the driver. This blend along with relatively short dimensions (compared to larger SUVs in similar price range), makes the Honda Elevate an extremely practical choice for routine urban commute. Nimble steering and a short turning radius of 5.2 meters make this package even more wholesome. The motor is pretty smooth and silent when idle. You’ll immediately notice the responsive behavior when starting from standstill and the car steadily continues to build up momentum. Pushing the throttle hurriedly brings the infamous rubber-band effect of the CVT. It causes the engine to rev high but fails to deliver that instantly demanded acceleration. The unsporty engine growl isn’t something one would appreciate either. Using the CVT sport mode with paddle-shifters for quick overtakes becomes the best bet then. The road and wind noise at high speeds is prominent as well. That said, Honda Elevate is a capable highway mile-muncher. You are unlikely to feel the need of having more power at legal speeds. It might not have the edge to satisfy driving enthusiast in oneself but will definitely at no time feel incompetent to drive. Finally, go for the CVT version if convenience and relaxed driving is what you’re looking for.
The feather-soft steering for traffic conditions weighs up effectively at high-speed driving. Honda has done quite a remarkable job in the ride and handling department for an SUV with such a high ground-clearance. Body roll is contained well and the vehicle effortlessly manages to overcome undulations. Driving fast over large potholes will bring noticeable bumps in the cabin though. However, Honda Elevate remains surefooted at high speeds and also when cornering. Braking is extremely efficient regardless of the absence of rear disc brakes. The brake pedal is sensitive to slightest touch of foot, which provides sufficient confidence to control a car of this size at high-speeds. The Elevate is also one of the few budget SUVs in India at present to feature Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, known here as “Honda Sensing”. This camera based ADAS Level-2 incorporates Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist, Lead Car Departure Notification, Road Departure Mitigation, Auto High-Beam etc. We tried out a couple of these features including Lane Keep Assist and Road Departure Mitigation, both of which activate at speed over 72 Kmph. They are incredibly helpful on properly marked highways but their functioning under low-light, foggy or chaotic Indian conditions remains susceptible.
Now that Bharat NCAP has been introduced; it’ll be interesting to know how the Elevate scores considering that Honda has thrown in loads more safety features like Six Airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System + Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Stability Assist, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, LaneWatch Camera etc. Getting back to answer the initial question: Can Honda Elevate sustain itself once the initial euphoria settles down? Possibly, yes. Although it loses lots of feel-good features (Eg: panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats etc.) and look-wise it appears like a conventional crossover, the Elevate still has several advantages on its side. Honda badge is one of them, that alone will convince numerous buyers, because it stands for a fuss-free ownership and solid resale value. Apart from that, even the lower variants are well-equipped and make for a good value proposition. We believe Honda will sooner or later be compelled to rectify the initial mistakes it has made with Elevate. Meanwhile, if one is prepared to overlook those, then it makes for a sensible purchase decision.
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