While the Elevate, Honda’s made-for-India SUV, went on sale on September 4, 2023, Honda dealers had started accepting bookings two months earlier from July 3, 2023. The Honda SUV already commands a waiting period of around six-months, according to Kunal Bhel, VP marketing and sales, Honda Cars India.
Honda Elevate: top models, automatic variants in high demand
Introductory prices for the Elevate start at Rs 11 lakh for the entry-level SV variant, and go up to Rs 16 lakh for the top-spec ZX variant with the CVT automatic gearbox, ex-showroom. It’s available in a total of four trims – SV, V, VX and ZX.
Waiting period for the Elevate SV and V variants are comparatively lower, at around two to three months. However, it is the higher-spec variants – Elevate VX and ZX – that have a waiting period of around six months, at most locations. Some dealers tell us that bookings have seen a slight uptick after the price announcement as customers find the SUV competitively priced.
Even before the prices were announced, we reported that dealers were seeing greater demand for the higher-spec variants owing to the features they packed in. Honda has now revealed that around 60 percent of total Elevate bookings are for the VX and ZX, and a total of 65 percent of the total bookings are for the CVT gearbox-equipped trims. In fact, the Elevate ZX CVT is the most affordable automatic midsize SUV at the top-end among its rivals with similar powertrains.
Honda Elevate powertrain, fuel efficiency, colours
The Elevate SUV has the same powertrain as the City – a 121hp, 145Nm, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-step CVT automatic. As for fuel efficiency, the Elevate manual returns a claimed 15.31kpl, while the CVT returns 16.92kpl. Expect the real-world figures to be slightly different.
The Obsidian Blue Pearl and Platinum White Pearl paint finishes (which cost an additional Rs 8,000) are available on the higher three trims (V, VX and ZX), and there are three dual-paint options that are only available on the top-spec ZX trim for a premium of Rs 20,000-28,000, depending on the colour.
Honda Elevate rivals
Customer deliveries for the Elevate have begun in some cities and test drives are being conducted in full swing. The Elevate rivals the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos – both of which get more features, along with a diesel engine option – the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Hyryder – which also get petrol-hybrid powertrain options – and the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq – which have powerful turbo-petrol engines – and the MG Astor.