The Honda Elevate packs Honda Sensing with ADAS Level 2 functionality, or an advanced driver assistance system with the ability to detect vehicles and pedestrians and autonomously take over braking, acceleration and even steering as and when needed in an emergency whenever the driver isn’t alert or distracted and immediate action is called. The functions here broadly include the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and road departure mitigation. Other notable equipment includes the now mandatory ABS and stability assist, hill start assist, the Honda Lane Watch mirror-camera blind-spot assist, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. Oh, and the Level 2 autonomous capability comes courtesy a wide-view camera on the front windshield.
Under the bonnet is the familiar 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine from the Honda City with the same 121 hp at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of peak torque at 4,300 rpm. The CVT automatic drives the front wheels and feels smooth and refined below 2,500 rpm. It picks up the pace quickly enough and maintains respectable momentum when busy. Above that mark, things start to get rather noisy and the last thing one needs to do in this Honda Elevate is stomp their foot down. That’s simply not ideal as the acceleration is hardly brisk. The sound insulation is adequate as best, with the heavy rain also doing a number on the roof. The winding hill roads were an apt proving ground to evaluate its handling prowess and the Elevate did not disappoint. My drive was very brief due to several reasons, and I only spent a total of 20 minutes in the driver’s seat. However, the hills did provide various terrain and the Honda Elevate held its own over the off-road section as well. Its high ground clearance meant even the many ungainly rocky surfaces didn’t really bother it.
On my even shorter highway drive, I found the ride quality rather good. The Honda Elevate handles undulations well and the ride quality is compliant. It soaks up uneven patches and pot-holes well, too. The adaptive cruise control works well, although, with quite a bit of truck traffic, trying out the CMBS was not on my to-do list. The Elevate weighs in at 1,258 kg with the CVT powertrain and that means a claimed top speed of about 160 km/h. Honda also claim an efficiency of 16.9 km/litre with this convenient transmission option. I hope to get my hands on a manual variant soon as well to bring you a report of how different that is.
The Honda Elevate make a strong case for itself with its interior space and cabin comfort. However, with the new crop of modernised mid-size SUVs out there with, let’s be honest, more technology, features, equipment and more potent powertrains, it needs to be priced competitively if it hopes to make a serious dent in a segment filled with established names. With its characteristics, however, it does indeed seem like a move up for Honda.
Need to Know – Honda Elevate i-VTEC ZX CVT
Price: Rs 16.50 lakh (estimated)
Engine: 1,498 cc, in-line four, petrol
Max Power: 121 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Max Torque: 145 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable, automatic, front-wheel drive
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion bar rear
Weight: 1,258 kg
