Honda has always stood by the fact that they are first a powertrain company than a vehicle manufacturer, and anyone who has driven their vehicles will certify. But do not forget that the fit and finish, the refinement and the space management in the City has always been appreciated earning it as one of the best family cars in India.
With the Honda Elevate, the formula had to be a practical compact SUV with a tall riding stance but a sporty heart. We recently got behind the wheel of this urban SUV and aimed it towards the freezing mountains of Gangotri to experience the joys of Honda’s signature performance.
The Heart Of The Machine
At the core of the Honda Elevate lies the 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC engine amalgamating efficiency with performance. Delivering a spirited 119 bhp of power at 6,600 rpm and a torque output of 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm, this engine encapsulates Honda's commitment to refinement.
The i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system ensures optimal valve operation across the rev range, making the engine responsive at low speeds while rev-happy at the top end. This dual personality makes the Elevate equally adept in city traffic and on the open highway.
What struck us most was the engine’s linear power delivery and smooth refinement. Even at higher revs, where some engines struggle with vibrations and some turbos become wheezy, the Elevate's i-VTEC remains fruity, offering a driving experience that feels premium and polished.
Now you can pair this to a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT transmission according to your preference. The 6-speed manual transmission showcases Honda’s dedication to enthusiasts who cherish the art of driving. It is a joy to operate, with short, precise throws and a clutch that’s light yet provides good feedback. Shifting through gears feels intuitive, and the well-spaced ratios extract the most from the engine’s power band. The 7-step CVT with paddle shifters is for smooth-operators who prefer easier driving through perhaps urban congestion, the transmission complements the engine’s character perfectly. However, the manual setup proved ideal for spirited cornering and highway sprints. The torque available has to be worked on through the gears, especially when the car is loaded.
On-Road Dynamics & Driving Comfort
The Honda Elevate impresses with its well-tuned suspension that absorbs bumps effortlessly while maintaining composure during spirited driving. The higher ground clearance and McPherson strut setup at the front make it adept at handling uneven terrains, while the torsion beam at the rear ensures stability. And we mean it as we put the Elevate in some difficult terrains where the City limited itself due to clearance.
Steering feedback, although light, is accurate, and manoeuvring through tight urban spaces is effortless thanks to the SUV's 5.2m turning radius. We can verify this wholeheartedly whilst taking a U-turn on super slippery black ice just before Harsil. As the heart beat to its maximum rpm, the Elevate was able to hold its footing on these road tyres validating its chassis efficiency as well.
The Elevate’s real-world fuel efficiency numbers will depend on driving conditions, i-VTEC’s efficient functioning and the manual’s precise control with a disciplined foot. Since we did not have the latter bit, we got 11 kmpl through the mix of driving situations we paced the Elevate through. This would include the jams through Delhi, the highways out of it, to the curvy valleys of Uttarkashi, and the slipping and sliding bit near Harsil.
Grown Up Design Inside Out
The Honda Elevate is burly in its appeal with a strong face and sturdy rear. Yes, while you may complain that it lacks the futuristic glitz of its competitors, a few days later you will adore the simplicity of its design. It has been designed to work through years without causing many problems. The paint finishes are good, and the plastic quality will last you decades without fading.
Similarly, the interior is a pleasant mix of class and practicality. There’s enough space for four occupants, and plenty of cubby holes to put your stuff. The brown and black interior tone is pleasing and feels very svelte. Of course there are a lot of convenience electronics, a 10-25-inch infotainment with a responsive screen, a PM 2.5 cabin air purifier, wireless charging in the front for your phones, etc.
And while the 8-speaker audio system works fine, it does leave something to be desired. Competitors have much more depth in their cabin audio which Honda could look at once. But overall, it’s a great car to be in. The 458-litre boot gobbles enough luggage for a weeklong trip.
Safety Electronics
Since it is a Honda, it has a comprehensive suite of safety systems including a camera-based Level-2 Honda Sensing ADAS setup. There’s a 6-airbag system, rear sonar sensors which may be too scaredy-cat, and a high-beam assist for dim-dip. The hill-start assist is surely very convenient in the manual. Honda Sensing gives you a host of features like automatic braking, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure, etc which work great in the day, but fall a bit short at night.
Competitors have assisted their cameras with a radar to make these functions work more effectively, which is again what Honda needs to work on as customers add these systems to their standard fit lists. The blind spot camera although useful and utilises the entire infotainment screen, struggles with resolution as the evening approaches. It is useful, but not being on both the sides of the car is again a missed opportunity.
A Worthy Contender In Its Class
At the end of the day, what matters is that you look back at your car after you’ve parked and listen to it ticking away as the exhaust cools. For drivers who appreciate the symphony of a well-tuned engine and the tactile engagement of a manual transmission, the Elevate stands tall as an appealing choice. The harmonious interplay of its powertrain and chassis makes it a compelling urban freestyler with a playful heart.
The CVT on the other hand is butter smooth, but does sap away the brilliant dynamics this engine has to offer. However, it is efficient and very easy to drive around the ‘city’. The Elevate is not just about practicality; it is about preserving the joy of driving—a hallmark of Honda’s DNA.
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