Honda Elevate Makes Its Global Debut in India
Honda, a renowned automotive manufacturer, has marked its re-entry into the SUV segment with the global unveiling of its new model, the Honda Elevate. The highly anticipated event took place in New Delhi, showcasing the company's commitment to expanding its product portfolio. Honda has previously offered SUVs such as the CR-V and BR-V in the Indian market. Bookings for the Honda Elevate are set to commence in July 2023, with the price announcement to follow.
In terms of performance, the Honda Elevate is equipped with the same 1.5-litre petrol engine found in the Honda City sedan. However, the company has also revealed plans to introduce a full electric powertrain option in the coming years. The Honda Elevate is expected to compete with popular SUV models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, among others.
When it comes to dimensions and design, the Honda Elevate shares similarities with the overseas variant of the CR-V. Its dimensions measure 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width, 1,650mm in height, and feature a wheelbase of 2,650mm. Notably, the Elevate offers a generous 458 litres of boot space and a segment-leading ground clearance of 220mm, surpassing the 190mm ground clearance of the Creta.
The exterior design of the Honda Elevate showcases a distinctive grille with a prominent Honda logo at the center, complemented by sleek LED headlights and fog lamps. The front design is reminiscent of the Honda City, with a chrome bar connecting the headlights and LED daytime running lamps. The SUV's profile exhibits slightly flared wheel arches with robust plastic cladding, lending it a bold and muscular appearance. It features 17-inch alloy wheels resembling those seen on the facelifted City. At the rear, the Elevate displays a raked window design, connected tail-lights, and an indentation for the number plate housing.
Inside the cabin, the Honda Elevate boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that takes center stage. In terms of features, it offers a single-pane sunroof, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, lane-watch camera, wireless charging, wireless smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), and a rear parking camera. Additionally, the Elevate will be equipped with Honda's Sensing Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), encompassing features like collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist.
The Honda Elevate is built on the Global Small Car platform, which is shared with the Honda City sedan. Under the hood, it houses the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as the City, producing 121 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Furthermore, Honda has confirmed that an electric powertrain option will be introduced for the Elevate in the next few years.
With the launch of the Elevate, Honda aims to establish a strong presence in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment. Its rivals include popular models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, and the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross. Honda's re-entry into the SUV market is expected to invigorate its lineup, which currently comprises mainly sedans. However, pricing will play a crucial role in determining the success of the Elevate, considering the intense competition within the midsize SUV segment. Honda plans to announce the pricing details in the coming months.
It's worth noting that India serves as the manufacturing hub for the Honda Elevate, with plans to export the SUV to multiple international markets.
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