Our Park+ Highlight of the Day includes launch details on the newly unveiled Honda Elevate, which will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta.
The Hyundai Creta and other competitors are competing against the Honda Elevate, which has joined the competitive small SUV market. The SUV appears assertive and metropolitan, having a prominent chrome bar and a substantial rectangular black grille with LED headlamps on either side. Its length is 4312 mm, and its wheelbase is 2650 mm.
A 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linked car technology, auto climate control, and wireless charging, among other amenities, are available in the cabin, which is trimmed in black and brown. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine in the new Honda Elevate produces 119 horsepower and 145 Nm, and it is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission.
The new Honda midsize SUV has slightly flared wheel arches on the side that are covered in thick plastic cladding, giving it a bulky SUV appearance. The window line tapers upward towards the large C-pillar. The 17-inch alloy wheels on the Elevate have a similar style to those on the redesigned City. It has a slightly sloped rear windscreen and wraparound tail lights that resemble those on the most recent generation WR-V marketed in countries like Indonesia. The taillights are joined by a red bar. The housing for the license plate has an indentation on the tailgate as well.
The Elevate only has a single-pane sunroof compared to the other three of its eight competitors, which all have panoramic sunroofs. This luxury feature will soon be added to the forthcoming Kia Seltos facelift, which currently has a single-pane sunroof.
With features including a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist, Honda will also include its Sensing ADAS suite in the Elevate.The Seltos facelift will also include driver assistance technology, making the MG Astor the only other midsize SUV with ADAS at the moment. The Global Small Car platform used by the Japanese company to construct the Honda City car also serves as the foundation for the Honda Elevate.
Power is sent to the front wheels either through a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. Additionally, the automaker has stated that the Elevate would have an electric engine within the next three years.
The Elevate will compete against vehicles like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, and the future Citroen C3 Aircross in the fiercely competitive midsize SUV sector.
Since Honda now only offers two sedans, its return to the SUV market is a much-needed step. Given the fierce competition and the fact that all manufacturers have sizable shares in the midsize SUV market, Honda will be depending on the Elevate to give it a boost. However, much will depend on the price. Honda is being coy at the moment on costs, but an announcement is expected soon.
The Honda Elevate will likely be on sale in October, with reservations opening up in July. Our detailed tour and Elevate narrative are exclusively available on the Park+ app and YouTube channel.