Why would I buy it?
- A comfortable and spacious cabin
- Reliable and efficient powertrain
- Easy to drive and live with
Why would I avoid it?
- No diesel, turbo-petrol, or hybrid engines
- Misses out on some feel-good features
- Quality could be better in places
Engine and performance
The Elevate only gets one engine - a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol that makes nearly 120bhp and 145Nm of torque. One can have it with a CVT automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The powertrain is the same that powers the Honda City, and as a virtue of that, it is reliable, proven, and fuel efficient. It is also the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in its class.
Furthermore, it continues to have the same potent and linear build-up of power in the Elevate SUV as well. It sounds nice too, as the engine revs climb. It's only when you get close to 5000rpm that the engine sound turns to noise. There is, however, no letting off in the power till the redline. It's not as fast as a turbo-petrol, but the drive still feels organic, involving, and enjoyable.
It has good low and mid-range torque and with the added help of shorter gear ratios, the Elevate's ability to get going from even under a 1000rpm is staggering. Plus, when you shift into sixth on the highway - even with the speedo showing three-digit speeds - the Elevate takes on a relaxed demeanour; it should make for an easy and fuel-efficient long-distance cruiser, as a result.
We quite like the manual gearbox too. It is perfectly positioned. The shift quality is near spot-on - short throws, effortless, delightful and the gear shifts slot in precisely. And the clutch pedal is light to operate. Finding the right engagement point for the clutch when rolling from a standstill can be trying, nonetheless.
Ride and handling
The Elevate is a comfortable SUV. The ride quality is absorbent, especially at low to medium speeds. It rounds the bumps and potholes beautifully; there's no harshness to the ride, no matter what the surface; and though its rear can wallow a bit over severely undulating roads, it never bordered close to uncomfortable. But it won't flatten everything in its path with poise and authority, particularly at higher speeds. So, one must tread carefully over badly broken sections.
On good roads though - be it straight as an arrow or wavy as a slithering snake - the Honda Elevate feels rooted and unwavering. Now, it might not have the quickest of reactions to steering inputs, and it is not a terribly exciting or entertaining car to drive around the twisties either. But it never feels light or nervous. It also manages to stay true to its line, it doesn't roll around too much, and it never feels clumsy around a set of corners.
Exterior design
With its blunt face, hooded eyes and gaping grille, the Honda Elevate SUV does have a distinct design. The straight-cut lines with some angles and curves enhance its appeal in profile. Yes, it could do with larger 18-inch wheels to fill out the wheel arches better. But, even the current 17-inchers don't make it look like the Elevate missed its leg-day at the gym. We also expect good safety ratings for the Elevate given it is based on the Honda City platform. The City did score five stars in Asian NCAP, after all.
Comfort, convenience and features
It feels warm and welcoming, like a study with a fireplace, rows of books and a comfy brown wingback leather chair. This chair, in the Elevate's case, comes in the form of the front two seats, which are taken straight off the Honda City. The seats continue to be sumptuous, supportive and comfy. These are a little too close to the floor for an SUV, but it makes for a good, almost car-like driving position.
The rest of the cabin is thoughtfully designed too. With the steering that adjusts for reach and rake, the gear shifter that is perfectly positioned, the audio and aircon controls which are less than an arm's length away, and the many cup and bottle holders and stowage spaces that are easy to use and access, the Elevate's cabin feels homely almost immediately.
It's not the best-equipped cabin though. Now, compared to the diesel and turbo-petrol versions of the Seltos, the Elevate doesn't pack in as many features. But, compared to the Seltos’ HTX trim, which has a similar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, the Honda is a closer match. It still doesn't get a panoramic sunroof like the HTX, but it has ADAS that the former lacks.
These apart, the Elevate has a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a single-zone climate control system, a single-panel sunroof, and wireless charging. It also gets wireless connectivity for Apple Carplay and Android Auto as part of the new multi-media system. The latter is now a 10.25-inch touchscreen system, and in terms of design, appearance and UX, it is a big step up from the Honda cars of yore. Even then, it's still no match for the competition. The resolution of the reverse camera needed to be better as well. The driver information system is part analogue, part digital. The speedometer is the only analogue. The rest, which includes the tachometer, trip computer, G-meter, and shortcuts to ADAS features, is all digital. As with most modern cars, the Elevate too gets a suite of connectivity features, which allow you to remotely lock and unlock the car, start it, switch on the air conditioning, and know where the SUV is at all times.
The Elevate's cabin is spacious too. The SUV sits on a longer wheelbase compared to the City. So, it's not a surprise that the knee room on the SUV is more than enough. There's enough space to put two six-footers at the front and back. One can also fit three adults in the back without much of a squeeze. Plus, with the rear central armrest having significant padding, seating in the middle of the rear bench is more comfortable than the competition. The rear passengers also get a scooped-out headliner to liberate more headroom.
Boot space at 458 litres is handsome, and Honda claims it is the most usable in its class. We can see why - it has a wide opening, not too high a loading lip height, and near intrusion-free design. It also has a 60:40 split for the rear seats.
Conclusion
The Honda Elevate isn't an outstanding car. It doesn't set any new benchmarks in its class. And, it doesn't bring anything new or unique to the mix either. But, its USP is how easily it will fit into your life, adding value without disrupting it.
It has good visibility, comfortable seats and an almost pampering ride. And though it is not the quickest, its low and mid-range torque makes it effortless and relaxing to cruise or commute with. It is not for someone looking for an exciting car; it is for those who want a no-nonsense car that has the bases nicely covered but don't mind that it misses out on some cherries on top.
Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi
