Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate is the carmaker’s attempt at the very competitive compact SUV segment with hot selling cars like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara as chief rivals. At first glance, the Elevate’s brochure doesn’t seem to be packing the equipment to trump its rivals. So we dive deeper into its package and find out reasons why you might want to consider it over its rivals. Let’s find out:

• I like how the Honda Elevate’s design stands tall and strong, despite the simple approach to the styling.

• It looks rugged and muscular with its chunky side cladding, roof rails, and big bumpers.

• Elevate’s nose looks commanding with a flat design, wide grille, and cladded elements that make it look rugged.

• The 17-inch alloy wheels look elegant, while the side cladding and roof rails adds some muscle to the design.

• The 16-inch steel wheel covers look dull on the lower V variant, while the base variant gets basic 16-inch steel wheels only.

• At the rear, it has a rather simple design with sleek L-shaped LED tail lights and a basic bumper design.

• The Honda Elevate is available in seven monotone shades: Phoenix Orange Pearl, Golden Brown Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Radiant Red Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl.

• The Phoenix Orange Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl shades can be had with a dual tone black roof.

• There’s also a Crystal Black Pearl shade exclusively available with the Black Edition.

• While the chrome inserts of the standard Elevate look classic, I think they go even better with the black Crystal Black Pearl shade of the Black edition.

Design & Quality

• The exterior’s simplicity is carried inside with a tan-black color combination, which looks classy.

• The dashboard is layered in different materials with plastics on top and soft touch leatherette on the lower trim. Fit and finish is acceptable.

• I really like the ‘click’ sound of the AC toggles. All buttons, AC vents and even the indicator stalk have a reassuring ‘built-to-last’ feel to them.

• The Black Edition of the Elevate gets an all-black cabin with black seats and stitching.

Driving position

• The front seats are wide and accommodating, and a commanding driving position is easy to find, thanks to the clearly-visible bonnet line.

• With tilt and telescopic steering adjustment and height adjustable seats available as standard offerings, finding a comfortable driving position is easy for all.

• However, the comfort could’ve been improved for taller passengers with more underthigh support and room to stretch their feet.

Passenger comfort

• Ingress and egress in the Honda Elevate is super easy, even for the elderly.

• Rear seat space is generous with ample room in all parameters. 

• With adequate width and three headrests, it can even accommodate three adults if needed, but only for short journeys.

• I like the winged headrests and central armrest, which add to the comfort at the rear.

• Rear sun shades and seat back recline function would have made the second row of the Elevate even better.

Storage options

• Practicality is ample with sizable door bottle pockets in all doors, cup holders in the central console and the wireless charging pad can double up for storing wallet or loose items.

• The Elevate boasts a sizable glovebox and a small space underneath the central armrest as well. However, the glovebox compartment isn’t cooled.

• I like the twin slots in the central console that can hold your phone and keys in place.

• There are two cupholders in the central armrest and multiple seat back pockets for the rear passengers.

Features

• While the Elevate doesn’t offer any segment-first feature, it still has plenty of modern-day features.

• The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system has great resolution and fast response times. It gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the user interface feels dull and old school.

• The 7-inch digital driver’s display is crisp and relays readouts like the range, tachometer G-meter and the ADAS settings.

• The 8-speaker sound system offers acceptable audio quality for regular usage.

• The lane watch camera is only available on the left side. Its execution could’ve been better as the feed takes up the entire display when active.

• It misses out on a full panoramic sunroof, but does get a single-pane one-touch sunroof.

• Other features in the Elevate include keyless entry with push button start/stop, connected car technology, rear AC vents, auto outside mirrors, and auto dimming IRVM.

• The made-in-India Honda Elevate has been crash tested by Japan NCAP (JNCAP), where it secured an impressive 5-star safety rating. Do note that it’s called the Honda WR-V in Japan.

• 6 airbags, hill start assist, and electronic stability control are standard, while top variants get rear wiper and washer, auto headlights and Level-2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features.

• The Elevate only gets a camera based ADAS system, and as a result, the system doesn't work as well as a radar based system in low visibility conditions.

• The rear-view camera of the Honda Elevate only offers acceptable resolution and its execution could've been better.

• The Elevate’s 458-litres of boot space can accommodate a full suitcase set and then some duffle and laptop bags.

• Compared to its ICE-powered rivals, the Elevate has the biggest usable boot space in the real world.

• In case you need to haul some larger items, the Elevate offers a 60:40 split in the rear seats, which can be folded down to open up more space.

• The Honda Elevate only gets a single 1.5-litre, four cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine.

• Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 7-step CVT.

• The Honda Elevate does not get the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit.

1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine

• I like the smooth and refined nature of the Honda Elevate’s engine.

• Acceleration isn’t strong, but it’s smooth and linear – perfect for all city commutes.

• The manual transmission of the Elevate is easy to use with a light clutch and smooth gear shifts.

• The CVT automatic transmission is super smooth in regular conditions, and is enjoyed best when driven in a relaxed manner.

• While the paddle shifters give you more control, quick overtakes with the CVT will require planning because the engine takes some time to build actual speed.

• The engine cruises comfortably at higher speeds, but overtakes are slow beyond the 80kmph mark, especially with load.

• The Honda Elevate is best enjoyed when driven in a relaxed manner. Anything more and the engine will feel underpowered.

• The fuel efficiency of the Elevate isn’t impressive, as I consistently got a figure of around 10kmpl in the city, and around 13kmpl on the highway.

• I found the Honda Elevate to be really comfortable over regular speedbreakers, potholes or even over highway undulations.

• Sharper bumps are also well isolated, but you do feel the impact when going over rumble strips or multiple uneven potholes.

• Steering is light and easy in the city, and feels confident at higher speeds.

• Considering its impressive ride comfort, the Elevate’s composure and dynamism surprised me around a fast corner.

• The Honda Elevate genuinely offers one of the most comfortable rides in its segment, while also maintaining a good dynamic balance around corners.

• Honda offers the 2025 Elevate in four variants: SV, V, VX and ZX.

• The Black Edition builds on the top-spec ZX variant.

Elevate SV

• The exterior gets LED elements for the headlights, DRLs, and tail lights, but sits on 16-inch steel wheels without any covers.

• Gets dual tone beige and black theme but with fabric seats. Misses out on Metallic inserts in various places.

• Covers all functional features with auto AC, rear AC vents, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, driver seat height adjustment, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, and push button start/stop.

• No stereo system, but gets a 7-inch digital driver’s display and steering mounted controls.

• 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, hill-start assist, and rear parking sensors are offered as standard.

Elevate V

• Adds wheel covers and black tape to the B-pillar for a slightly better look.

• Better looking cabin gets an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• Top additions include a 4-speaker sound system, connected car technology, voice commands, and two USB ports at the front.

• Rear defogger and a rear view camera are the only additions in the safety kit.

• CVT variants exclusively feature remote engine start and paddle shifters. 

Elevate VX

• Improved design with LED fog lights, roof rails, and 17-inch alloys.

• Premium interior with leatherette on gearknob and steering wheel, and soft touch fabric on door armrest.

• Feature highlights include 6-speaker sound system, auto folding outside mirrors, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, auto headlights, and interior roof LED map lighting.

• The safety kit gets a lane watch camera and rear wiper and washer.

Elevate ZX

• Small tweaks like gloss black mesh on the grille, chrome finished door handles and dual tone exterior shades up the styling quotient.

• Leatherette seats, wood garnish and new dual tone black and brown theme up the cabin’s premium quotient.

• Adds an auto dimming inside mirror and an 8-speaker sound system with a 10.25-inch infotainment system.

• Improved rear seats with a central armrest, and seat back and sub pockets for the phone.

• Safety kit only gets the addition of ADAS kit, including features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and auto emergency braking.

Elevate Black Edition

• Gets exclusive Crystal Black Pearl shade with blacked out elements like the alloys and door handles.

• All-black interior theme gets black treatment everywhere.

• No changes in the features or safety kit.

CarDekho Recommends:

• The one-above-base V variant of the Honda Elevate can be considered if you’re on a tight budget and want an automatic. 

• The top variant of the Honda Elevate offers good overall value.

Is the Honda Elevate right for you?

The Honda Elevate might not allure you with its futuristic design or modern hi-tech features, but there’s an undeniable charm in its simplicity. It delivers on all aspects of a family SUV like space, comfort, practicality and safety. So if all those qualities, along with a smooth drive is what you’re after, then the Honda Elevate is worth a test drive.

Other cars to consider instead of the Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Reasons to consider

• More modern styling

• Option of turbo-petrol and diesel engine

• Offers more creature comforts

Reasons to ignore

• Comparatively less comfortable

• Comparatively less rear seat space 

Maruti Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder

Reasons to consider

• More efficient hybrid powertrain

• Optional all-wheel drive

Reasons to ignore

• Slightly less premium cabin experience

• Limited boot space with hybrid variants

• No ADAS

Volkswagen Taigun/Skoda Kushaq

Reasons to consider

• Sportier styling

• More powerful turbo-petrol engines

• 5-star safety rating

Reasons to ignore

• Comparatively less comfortable

• Comparatively less rear seat space and comfort

• Slightly less premium cabin experience

• No ADAS