Honda to unveil highly anticipated elevate SUV on June 6; taking on rivals in C-segment SUV market

Honda is set to unveil its highly anticipated SUV, the Elevate, on June 6. This global debut will mark Honda’s return to the Indian market with a new C-segment offering. Competing with popular SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Elevate is expected to make a strong impact.

After a gap of more than three years, Honda is finally introducing a new model to the Indian market. The Elevate SUV is scheduled to be revealed to the world on June 6, with its official launch likely to take place in the first half of August 2023. Along with the announcement of the debut date, Honda has released a top-view image of the Elevate SUV, confirming the presence of a single-pane sunroof.

Although specific details regarding the dimensions and design of the Elevate SUV are still undisclosed, camouflage-wrapped images provide some insight into its exterior styling. The SUV is expected to draw inspiration from larger Honda SUVs, such as the new CR-V, featuring sleek LED headlights, LED DRLs, a prominent chrome grille, connected LED tail lights, and a distinctive skid plate on the bumper. Additionally, the Elevate SUV is likely to sport a shark fin roof antenna and roof rails, showcasing a modern and rugged appearance.

One of the notable highlights of the Honda Elevate is its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features. Currently, the MG Astor is the sole C-segment SUV in India offering ADAS features. However, Honda aims to join this league and elevate the customer experience by equipping the Elevate with features such as auto emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure warning (LDW), lane-keeping assist (LKA), auto high beam (AHB), and a blind spot camera.

In terms of interior features, the Elevate is expected to offer a range of amenities. These may include a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six airbags, a 360-degree parking camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, an electric sunroof, front and rear armrests, automatic headlights, and rain-sensing wipers.

When it comes to powertrain options, the Elevate SUV is likely to share its engines with the City sedan. It is anticipated that Honda will not offer a diesel engine variant, instead focusing on petrol and strong hybrid powertrains. The Elevate may feature the City’s 1.5L normal petrol engine, generating 121PS of power at 6600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4300rpm. Transmission choices for the normal petrol engine could include a 6-speed manual and a 7-step continuously variable transmission (CVT). Additionally, Honda might introduce the 1.5L strong hybrid powertrain from the City e:HEV hybrid in the new SUV. The hybrid variants of the Honda Elevate could rival the hybrid options of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

With the unveiling of the Elevate SUV just around the corner, Honda enthusiasts and SUV enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting its arrival. The launch of this new C-segment SUV is expected to inject fresh excitement into the Indian market, offering customers a stylish and feature-packed option in the highly competitive SUV segment.