Honda is trying a different tactic when it comes to its crossover offerings in developing markets. While ASEAN (no word about the Philippines) is getting the WR-V, the Japanese carmaker has instead developed the Elevate for countries like India.
Going against the alphabet soup naming convention, the Honda Elevate is competing against the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Suzuki Grand Vitara. The reason for this is that Honda wants the SUV to stand for empowerment, liberation, aspiration, and transformation.
Compared to the WR-V on which it shares its general platform with, the Elevate is much boxier and more upright. Upfront, there’s a large front grille with slim headlamps, fog lamps that have been pushed to the corners of the bumper, and a skid plate styling element. At the back, there’s a L-shaped taillight, but with a trim connecting the left and right sides.
Available features include 17-inch wheels and a sunroof.
Dimensionally, the Elevate measures in at 4,312 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, 1,650 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. Other key figures include a ground clearance of 220 mm and 458 liters of boot space. Turning radius is an ultra-compact 5.2 meters.
Powering the Elevate is a normally-aspirated 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Shared with the WR-V and BR-V, it outputs 121 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. This is mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT. Honda has also confirmed that a hybrid version is being developed and that one will have a combined 126 horsepower and 253 Nm thanks to its twin electric motor setup. The sole gearbox for this one is an E-CVT.
Inside, the Elevate sports an entirely different dashboard design with the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen made to jut out like the Civic and unlike the City/WR-V/BR-V. Features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless device charger. The driver meanwhile gets a 7-inch instrument cluster display.
The Elevate also gets Honda Sensing which offers Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Auto High Beam, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lead Car Departure Notification. This is on top of a full suite of safety features that include a reverse camera and the LaneWatch blind spot camera.
The first SUV the brand is offering since the discontinuation of the CR-V, BR-V, and WR-V there, Honda has also confirmed that they will sell the Elevate outside of the Indian market. In fact, they might make the South Asian nation an export hub for the SUV. No word on whether they will build or assemble it elsewhere for other markets.
Sir Uly, just curious: why would Honda create a new small SUV if they already have the WR-V? Why spend money developing a new vehicle if they already have one in the same segment?
ReplyDeleteThe Elevate serves as Honda's re-entry into the Indian SUV market. Perhaps they figured that selling primarily ASEAN models like the BR-V and WR-V don't work for that market hence why they need to develop the Elevate to suit the Indian market tastes.
DeleteEqually curious. Why would Honda offer the Elevate? It has the BR-V(4490mm) which almost look like the Elevate (4312mm). These 2 are almost the same size and exactly same engine. Is Elevate a 5 seater? If yes, it also competes with HR-V (4385mm). HR-V is definitely a global Honda car but is Elevate global too?
ReplyDeleteSo far it's not a global model. Global model is defined as being sold in at least two major markets. It's likely they developed this for the Indian market taste vs just bringing in the WR-V.
DeleteYes, the Elevate is a global model.
ReplyDelete"Elevate the feet!"
Delete- JoKoy
Honda is testing elevate for Japanese market maybe its for RHD markets only According to Australian media and Honda will manufacture 5 Suv models and 1 electric Suv Most likely will be launched in Thailand and Japan at the end of 2023
ReplyDelete