Honda Elevate facelift to launch tomorrow: All you need to know

Honda Cars India will launch the updated Elevate SUV tomorrow, October 6, bringing styling revisions and new features to its mid-size SUV ahead of the festive season in India.

Honda Cars India is set to launch the updated Elevate SUV in India on October 6, with pre-launch bookings now open across the country. Customers can reserve the facelifted SUV at authorised Honda dealerships for a booking amount of Rs 21,000.

India will be the first market globally to receive the updated Honda Elevate. The facelift comes ahead of the festive season and is expected to bring styling changes, additional features and cabin updates, while retaining the SUV’s existing mechanical package.

Honda Elevate facelift: What will change?

Honda has released a teaser of the updated Elevate, offering a glimpse of some of the changes to the SUV. While the overall silhouette and proportions appear largely unchanged, the facelift gets a more distinctive front-end treatment.

One of the most noticeable changes is the addition of connected LED daytime running lights at the front. The Honda logo has also been moved to the bonnet from its current position on the grille, giving the SUV a slightly different visual identity.

At the rear, the facelift is also expected to feature a connected lightbar. The front grille and bumpers are likely to be revised, while redesigned alloy wheels and tweaked lighting elements could further differentiate the updated model from the outgoing SUV.

Overall, the Elevate facelift appears to be an evolution of the existing design rather than a comprehensive redesign.

Honda Elevate facelift: New features expected

The cabin is expected to receive a more significant equipment upgrade as Honda looks to make the Elevate more competitive against newer rivals in the mid-size SUV segment.

The updated SUV is likely to get revised upholstery and cabin detailing, along with features that are currently unavailable on the Elevate. Some of the additions could be borrowed from the recently updated Honda City.

Among the expected additions are ventilated front seats, which would bring the Elevate in line with several rivals offering the feature. A factory-fitted 360-degree camera could also be introduced, replacing the dealer-level accessory solution offered on the current SUV.

Other possible additions include a powered co-driver's seat, rear sunblinds and dual-zone climate control. Honda, however, is yet to reveal the complete feature list of the facelifted SUV.

Honda Elevate facelift: Engine and gearbox

The mechanical package is expected to remain unchanged.

The current Honda Elevate is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 120bhp and 145Nm of torque. The engine is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-step CVT automatic transmission.

Honda also offers a strong-hybrid powertrain with the City. However, the hybrid setup has not been available on the Elevate so far. There is currently no confirmation on whether Honda will introduce the hybrid powertrain with the facelift.

Honda Elevate facelift: Expected price

The current Honda Elevate is priced between Rs 11.90 lakh and Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom). Given the styling and equipment upgrades, the facelifted SUV is expected to command a premium over the outgoing model.

Honda is yet to announce the variant-wise pricing of the updated Elevate, with the prices expected to be revealed at the launch on October 6.

Honda Elevate facelift: Rivals

The updated Elevate will continue to compete in India's crowded mid-size SUV segment. Its rivals include the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Renault Duster, Nissan Tekto, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Maruti Suzuki Victoris.

With the facelift, Honda is looking to address some of the equipment gaps of the current Elevate while retaining its naturally aspirated petrol engine and familiar SUV package.

More details, including the complete feature list, variants and prices, will be announced when the Honda Elevate facelift makes its India debut on October 6.

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