Honda has been extensively testing the Elevate in India, and now the midsize SUV has now been spotted testing in Japan too. This could possibly be the first time a made-in-India Honda product is being tested and evaluated for the firm's home market.
- Honda Elevate to make its global debut on June 6
- Will miss out on panoramic sunroof that most rivals have
- Hybrid powertrain likely to arrive at a later stage
Elevate, future Honda models to get ADAS
A company official confirmed to Autocar India that every new car and SUV by Honda will now feature the firm’s ADAS tech, called Honda Sensing. The City, with the facelift, already gets ADAS tech on both manual and automatic gearboxes, and we expect future models to follow suit. The City gets Honda Sensing on all trims except the base SV trim and the Elevate, too, could skip ADAS tech on the base trim. Honda is also readying the third-generation Amaze for a global debut in 2024 and it will also get Honda’s ADAS suite when it launches.
Honda’s ADAS suite includes features like a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning and automatic high beam assist.
Honda Elevate in Japan
The Honda Elevate that was spotted in Japan was heavily camouflaged, but visible elements show it to be similar to the one spotted testing in India. It has the same placement of the slim headlamps, grille and fog lamps as the Indian test mule, but the windows were camouflaged more than the test mules in India. The Japanese test mule also had wraparound tail-lights that extend into the tailgate, something not seen on Indian test mules.
Interestingly, Maruti Suzuki also exported the made-in-India, first-gen Baleno to Japan. The premium hatchback first went to Japan from India back in 2016.
Honda Elevate expected design
The upcoming Honda midsize SUV will come with quintessential SUV looks such as a strong nose and upright proportions. The Elevate is expected to get LED headlamps for the top-spec variants while the entry-level and mid-spec variants are expected to get standard, halogen headlamps. The rear features a slightly raked design with a thick C-pillar.
The Elevate also gets a single-pane sunroof, while most of its competitors – apart from the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun – get a panoramic sunroof. Even the Kia Seltos, which currently has a single-pane sunroof, will get a panoramic sunroof with its upcoming facelift.
Honda Elevate expected powertrain
Upon launch, the Elevate will only come with a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, and it is expected to get a hybrid powertrain later. The petrol engine will be the same as the one on the Honda City, where it produces 121hp and 145Nm of torque and is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT.
Honda Elevate launch, expected price
The Elevate will make its global debut in India on June 6, with its price announcement expected by August. Honda is expected to price the Elevate between Rs 12 lakh-17 lakh (ex-showroom).
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