New Honda midsize SUV to be called 'Elevate'

Honda has announced the ‘Elevate’ moniker for its upcoming midsize SUV in India, thus confirming our earlier report. The new Honda Elevate will make its global debut in India on June 6, followed by a market launch by August 2023. It will be a grounds-up new SUV that will go on sale in India first, and will be exported from India to markets abroad as well.

Honda Elevate powertrain and underpinnings
Keeping at par with the segment, the Honda Elevate will measure about 4.2-4.3 metres in length, and is understood to share its platform with the fifth-generation City sedan that’s already sold in India.

Naturally, the powertrain will also be shared, which means it will use the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine, although the exact state of tune is yet to be confirmed. For reference, this engine produces 121hp and 145Nm of torque in the City. Gearbox options of a 6-speed manual and a CVT will also likely be carried over unchanged.

The petrol engine, however, is expected to be the only engine on offer at launch with the hybrid powertrain from the City likely to join the line-up at a later stage. There will be no diesel engine on offer on the Elevate.

Honda Elevate design and features
The Elevate has already been spied testing on our roads on several occasions, and although all sightings were heavily camouflaged, the SUV is expected to continue with design cues from Honda’s global line-up of SUVs, which means it could be inspired by the current BR-V and HR-V sold abroad.

Expect chunky cladding, muscular wheel arches and lots of chrome along with sharply styled LED headlamps and wrap-around tail lamps. The Elevate will have a tall nose and upright proportions along with generous ground clearance.

Interior details are scarce currently, but it could share most of its equipment list with the City along with some elements of the design as well. Some of the highlights could include a 10.2-inch free-standing touchscreen, a semi-digital instrument cluster as well as Honda’s ADAS suite.

Honda Elevate expected price and launch timeline
As mentioned above, prices for the Elevate will be announced by August 2023, although it is expected to come at a premium over its rivals. We expect the price to range between Rs 12 lakh-Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom). Honda plans to build as many as 8,000 units of this SUV a month in India with a large chunk going for exports. Expect more details to trickle in closer to the SUV's unveiling.