Honda's Mid-Size SUV 'Elevate' Makes World Debut

Japanese carmaker, Honda Cars has unveiled its latest 5-seater SUV 'Elevate' in India, for the world. The SUV would be launched during the festive season this year and India will be the first country to manufacture and sell the All New Elevate globally. 

While the initial introduction of Elevate is focused on the domestic market, India also aims to serve as an important export hub for the new model to other parts of the world, catering to the robust demand for SUVs globally.

Developed on the grand concept of ‘Urban Freestyler’, Elevate aims to appeal to customers with active lifestyles & a global mindset.

The Elevate is a mid-size SUV that features a Bold and Masculine exterior design with a striking front face, sharp character lines and a unique rear design which come together to create a vehicle with a strong road presence. The front fascia showcases Honda's signature grille, flanked by sleek LED headlights, while the side profile emphasizes its sporty character and the rear boasts a distinctive tailgate design and LED taillights.

Exterior Design

The Elevate’s unique front design reflects a bold stance combined with slim and sharp headlights. The High Gravity Horizontal Belt Line provides a Protected & Secured cabin feel. The side of the model has a clean layout, making it stand out and reflecting the characteristics of new-age SUVs.Together with the dual LED taillights and Two-tone finish diamond cut R17 Alloy Wheels provide a distinct, modern and sporty characteristic to the model.

In terms of dimensions, the car is 4312 mm in length, 1790 mm in width & 1650 mm in height, a bit taller & wider than its competition. The ground clearance on the SUV is 220mm with a wheelbase of 2650 mm. The car has a turning radius of 5.2m.

Interior Design

The Interior colour, material and finish coordination is a contrast of luxurious brown and black to give a clutter-free and comfortable feel despite the strong character of the SUV. Honda Elevate offers a cargo space of 458 litre.

Elevate uses a 17.78 cm (7-inch) high-definition full-colour TFT multi-information that displays the meter with white light and on a black background showing information such as fuel consumption, trip meter, outside temperature, G-Meter and a clock on a large display screen. It also allows the driver to customise the operations, such as the meter set up, keyless access, lighting set up, door, and Honda Sensing.

The Elevate comes fitted with a new floating type 26.03 cm (10.25 inch) In-Plane Switching (IPS) High-Definition (HD) resolution LCD touch-screen display audio with Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA) that offers high contrast and visibility. 

The SUV boasts features like wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Weblink, Bluetooth and USB. Additional sub-screen functions are also provided for easy access such as ASVM (Assistant Side View Monitor), ARVM (Assistant Rear View Monitor), Clock, Calendar, Compass, Customisable Picture, and shortcuts to commonly used Infotainment settings

Powertrain

Elevate sports a 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine with VTC that churns out 89 kW (121PS) of power and 145 Nm of maximum torque between 4300 to 6600 RPM. It has been mated to an advanced 6-speed Manual Transmission and 7-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Safety

The All New Elevate incorporates advanced safety features like 6 Airbags system, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, Honda Lane Watch camera, Light Crash Performance, Pedestrian protection, Multi-angle Rear Camera, Emergency Stop Signal, ISOFIX compatible Rear Side Seats with Lower Anchorages & Top Tether, and Immobilizer with anti-theft alarm.

It will come with Honda’s acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which enhances self-protection while mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event of a collision.

The Elevate features innovative Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) safety technology – Honda Sensing. Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Lead Car Departure Notification system and Auto High-Beam are the signature features of Honda Sensing.

Future Plans

Elevate is the first SUV among 5 new premium SUVs planned to be launched by Honda in India by 2030.

All New Elevate has been developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific center located in Thailand. The R&D team in India has specifically worked on understanding potential target customers through extensive market surveys which reflect their three main motivations for purchasing SUVs including bold exterior design, strong safety package with active and passive safety and overall comfort.

Speaking on the global unveil, Toshio Kuwahara, Head of Regional Unit (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., and President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., said, “India being the world’s third largest automotive market is extremely important for Honda. The exports from India to several regions across the globe are growing continuously every year. With high level of quality standards to deliver products that exceed expectations of both local and worldwide customers, India has become one of the most important export hubs for Honda."

The company also aims to increase the sales ratio of Battery Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles sales to 100 per cent globally by 2040, including India. Based on this SUV, Honda will launch its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) within the next 3 years in India

Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO of Honda Cars India, said, “We have a robust product strategy to strengthen our premium play in the market and Elevate is the first model among the 5 new SUVs that will be launched by Honda in India by 2030.”