1 / 4Illustrative AI renders — not manufacturer photographs.
Honda Elevate
Honda's first compact SUV, built sensible
Honda Elevate review
The Honda Elevate is the company's belated answer to the booming mid-size SUV segment, sitting above the City sedan in spirit but priced to take on the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara. It shares its 1.5-litre petrol heart with the City, prioritising refinement, ride comfort and a no-nonsense cabin over flashy gimmicks. For buyers who value Honda reliability and a relaxed, predictable drive, it makes a quietly convincing case.
Honda played it safe with the Elevate, and that is both its strength and its limitation. The familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol is smooth and willing, with 119 bhp that feels adequate rather than thrilling. The five-speed manual is light and precise, while the CVT automatic suits city crawls but drones under hard acceleration. There is no turbo-petrol, no diesel and no hybrid here, which puts it at a clear spec disadvantage next to rivals that offer all three.
Where the Elevate shines is the basics. The ride quality is genuinely excellent, soaking up broken Indian roads with a maturity many rivals lack, and the 220 mm ground clearance helps it shrug off bad patches. The cabin is roomy, the rear seat is flat-floored and comfortable for three, and at 458 litres the boot is among the largest in the class. Visibility is good and the driving position is upright and confidence-inspiring.
The interior design, however, feels a generation behind. The dashboard is plain, materials are functional rather than plush, and the 10.25-inch touchscreen, while responsive, sits in a layout that looks conservative beside the screen-heavy Creta and Seltos. You do get a sunroof, wireless charging, a Honda Sensing ADAS suite on top trims, and a useful LaneWatch camera, but the overall feature count trails the segment leaders.
Safety is a high point: the Elevate scored a five-star Global NCAP rating, with six airbags, ESC and ADAS on higher variants. Combined with Honda's reputation for long-term durability and low running costs, it is a car built to be lived with rather than to dazzle in a showroom.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Excellent ride quality and high ground clearance
- Five-star Global NCAP safety rating
- Spacious cabin with large 458-litre boot
- Smooth, proven 1.5L petrol engine
- Honda reliability and low running costs
What could be better
- Only one engine, no diesel or hybrid
- Interior design feels plain and dated
- CVT drones under hard acceleration
- Fewer features than key rivals
Honda Elevate price & variants
| Variant | Fuel / Transmission | Ex-showroom |
|---|---|---|
| SV MT Best value | PetrolManual | ₹11.30 Lakh |
| V MT | PetrolManual | ₹12.50 Lakh |
| V CVT | PetrolAutomatic | ₹13.80 Lakh |
| VX MT | PetrolManual | ₹14.50 Lakh |
| ZX MT | PetrolManual | ₹15.60 Lakh |
| ZX CVT | PetrolAutomatic | ₹16.70 Lakh |
Key specifications
Model Overview
Engine & Transmission
Dimensions & Capacity
Fuel & Performance
Comfort & Convenience
Safety
Honda Elevate colours
Radiant Red MetallicExpert rating breakdown
Owner reviews
Built like a tank, rides beautifully
I switched from a City and the Elevate feels just as refined but far more comfortable over bad roads. The five-star safety rating gave my family peace of mind, and I have had zero issues so far. I just wish it had a bit more punch on the highway.
Great car, plain interior
The ride and space are fantastic and the CVT is super easy in Bangalore traffic. My only gripe is the cabin looks a little dull compared to my friend's Seltos. Mileage in the city hovers around 12-13 kmpl for me.
No-fuss family SUV
Bought the ZX manual and the ADAS features actually work well on highways. Service costs have been low and the engine is buttery smooth. It is not exciting, but it does everything I need without drama.
Alternatives to the Honda Elevate
Audi Q5
4.3₹65.00 Lakh – ₹77.00 LakhEx-showroom
Kia Syros
4.1₹8.99 Lakh – ₹15.99 LakhEx-showroom
Mahindra BE 6
4.2₹18.90 Lakh – ₹26.90 LakhEx-showroom
Hyundai Alcazar
4.3₹14.99 Lakh – ₹21.60 LakhEx-showroom
Honda Elevate — frequently asked questions
Does the Honda Elevate get a diesel engine?
No. The Elevate is offered only with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. There is no diesel, turbo-petrol or hybrid option in the line-up.
What is the real-world mileage of the Elevate?
The manual returns an ARAI figure of around 15.3 kmpl and the CVT about 16.9 kmpl. In real-world city driving expect roughly 11-13 kmpl, with highway runs touching 16-18 kmpl.
Is the Honda Elevate safe?
Yes. It scored a five-star adult-occupant rating in Global NCAP crash tests and offers six airbags, ESC and a Honda Sensing ADAS suite on top variants.
Does it come with a sunroof and ADAS?
Higher trims get a single-pane electric sunroof and the Honda Sensing ADAS package with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and collision mitigation braking.
How does the Elevate compare with the Hyundai Creta?
The Creta offers more engine choices and a flashier, feature-rich cabin, while the Elevate counters with better ride comfort, a stronger safety rating and Honda's reliability. The Elevate is the more sensible pick, the Creta the more loaded one.
Is the automatic worth choosing over the manual?
The CVT is smooth and ideal for heavy city traffic, but it drones under hard acceleration and costs more. If you mostly drive in town, the automatic is convenient; enthusiasts will prefer the slick manual.
Image is an AI-generated illustration. Specifications and prices are indicative and may vary by variant and city — please confirm with an authorized dealer. Last updated 2026-06-25.