Honda’s earlier mass-market midsize SUV, the BR-V, had so much going for it. It had the dimensions and house, and was even engineered to Honda’s lofty and exacting requirements. Where it was missing was within the seems division. It was too low, it was too lengthy and it seemed extra like a hopped-up property than a true-blue SUV. No shock then that it summarily did not seize the creativeness of the Indian SUV-buying public.

Honda struggled for a few years to get the components proper. Selecting an present SUV from its international vary – one with the suitable look, proper stance and proper dimension – was a no-no as it might be too costly. And the one ‘SUVs’ it had remaining had been crossovers, and so they had been too small and never upright sufficient. This, then, is Honda’s long-awaited reply – an SUV that ought to ship the graceful operating, effectivity and seating consolation of a City, however with an ‘elevated’ seating place.

Honda Elevate entrance design

The Elevate has a daring search for entrance. What strikes you first is simply how tall the bonnet is: it stretches horizontally from the bottom of the windscreen to the headlamps, with barely any dip on the entrance. In truth, they are going to be properly above waist stage for many. This is consistent with Honda’s present international design language for its SUVs, which additionally consists of a big grille, modern headlight pods and a fats chrome bar that runs throughout the highest. The look is just like that of the brand new CR-V, HR-V, Pilot and even Passport.

However, within the Elevate, the grille space is nearly completely rectangular and close to vertical, extra so than any of the aforementioned examples. Look nearer and also you’ll additionally discover it’s additionally largely a blanked-off black plastic panel, with the air consumption solely taking over the underside third. At the outer edges of the entrance bumper, triangular fog lamp housings in matte black do properly to alleviate a number of the bulk of the entrance finish, as does the scuff plate within the centre. The hockey stick-like LED Daytime Running Lamps lend some individuality, and what’s additionally distinctive is that the surfacing that surrounds the headlights, grille and chin is flush and clear.

Also see: Honda Elevate vs rivals: specs in contrast

Will the usage of these new shapes and types go down properly with Indian clients? Honda has used a equally daring look on the Amaze, which used massive flat surfaces to impart an impression of dimension in addition to a wedge-like nostril to make it look extra imposing, and that was properly accepted.

Honda Elevate profile and rear

Around the facet, the Elevate is each lengthy and tall. The 4,312mm size and 1,650mm top are just like the Creta, however the Honda has extra floor clearance at 220mm, and that ought to give it a little bit of a bonus. Look carefully and the facet profile seems similar to the Seltos and Creta, however they don’t have a lot by means of traces or sculpture, save for one character line that hyperlinks the tail-lamps to the chrome-lined window base. The Elevate additionally has a kick up within the rear door just like the Kia Seltos. There is a pleasant black plastic motif on the base of the doorways, which once more, reduces visible bulk. Some would possibly discover the chrome door handles a bit a lot, although.

Around the rear, the ‘double-inverted L’ tail-lights appear like an amalgam of a few SUVs, and once more, are a brand new Honda signature. Unlike the headlamps, that are full LED, the tail-lamps are partial LED, with the rear indicator and reverse lamps utilizing halogen bulbs. The rear windscreen does have a little bit of rake to it, although not as a lot because the curvy crossovers we’ve had from Honda previously, enjoying it way more secure and conventional.

What provides a little bit of sophistication is the black roof. The bulging wheel arches are good, leaving a giant hole to the 17-inch wheels, which look a bit small for the majority of the SUV. But what Indian SUV patrons will like are the upright glass home, the normal SUV profile and the related tail-lights (although solely reflectors) that look neat within the rear. 

Honda Elevate cabin styling

On the within, the styling once more is clear, neat and really restrained. There are many parts taken from the Honda City, the car on which this SUV is predicated. These embrace the neat-looking part-digital instrument panel, the properly constructed steering wheel and a few parts on the horizontally-aligned centre console. Quality is usually Honda good, with the boring wooden trim feeling wealthy, and the leatherette trim on the sprint feeling plush, though we want there was a bit extra of the sparingly used brushed silver trim; it might have brightened issues up.

What is model new on the Elevate is a free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen with a brand new consumer interface, which is a giant step up over what’s discovered within the City. What works significantly properly are the hexagonal brackets which might be used to good impact as a design ingredient. These brackets encompass the vents, and the boring metallic end contrasts properly with the leather-based on the sprint and the remainder of the subdued cabin. Nice particulars embrace the toggle-style local weather management switches (just like the Baleno and Grand Vitara) and the well-integrated horizontal wi-fi telephone charging shelf.

Instead of the cream or white upholstery used within the City, the Honda Elevate makes use of a satisfying tan leatherette color, and the entrance seats are similar to those within the sedan. The rear bench, with its split-fold operate, nevertheless, will not be as comfortable because the City, though the rear headrests are adjustable this time. Space, nevertheless, is super, with huge legroom and plenty of headroom, due to a scooped out roof part. And, speaking about house, it even has an enormous 458-litre boot with a low loading lip.

In phrases of options, the Elevate misses out on a couple of key objects, like a panoramic sunroof (it will get a single-pane unit), powered driver seat, ventilated entrance seats and USB Type-C ports, whereas on the rear, there may be solely 12V charging; no USB. It, nevertheless, does get Honda Sensing ADAS options, wi-fi telephone charging, wi-fi smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), related car tech, auto local weather management, auto headlamps and wipers, and 60:40 break up rear seats.

Tell us what you consider the Honda Elevate’s design within the feedback under.

Also see:

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