There was at all times a prepared marketplace for a right-sized and right-priced Honda SUV in India. Case in level, the Elevate. It’s been promoting in regular numbers since its launch in September 2023, and for a lot of Honda loyalists, the seek for a midsize SUV begins and ends with an Elevate. However, if evaluating and contrasting options is your SOP earlier than committing to a big-ticket buy like a car, these pages will certain turn out to be useful. With us as a benchmark is the Hyundai Creta, which has nearly come to outline what a midsize SUV ought to be. The Creta has been round longer than the Elevate, however 2024’s complete replace has made this an excellent combat. The query is, can the Elevate higher the Creta?

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: exterior design

Both fashions look interesting in their very own proper. The Elevate is neatly styled and effectively turned out, and truly seems to be quite a bit bigger within the metallic than it does in photographs. The upright bonnet and huge grille give it the requisite muscle, and the lengthy wheelbase and class-best 220mm floor clearance assist the stance, too. 

The up to date Creta is quite a bit flashier in seems to be. The block-like sample on the grille, the related search for the headlamps, and the related tail-lamps are fashionable fashion particulars. To my eyes, the Creta seems to be its greatest within the N Line type, although the sporty-looking variations won’t attraction to everybody’s style.

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: inside

The Elevate’s inside gained’t wow you, however over time you’ll respect it for its practicality and user-friendliness. For occasion, whereas the dashboard seems to be plain, it does place the touchscreen and local weather management switches inside simple attain and in addition packs loads of small utility areas. The driving place is spot on (the view of the bonnet edges is a superb sight), and also you’ll love the big and fantastically cushioned seats for the consolation they provide. Top-spec variations get leatherette upholstery, and the fabric extends onto the sprint and the doorways to up the atmosphere. I can’t say I’m a fan of the fake wooden on the sprint, although.  

Elevate sprint is purposeful and user-friendly. Soft-touch supplies assist uplift the atmosphere.

The Creta’s inside makes a stronger first impression. The mixed impact of the lighter colors, better detailing (such because the metallic look gildings), and, after all, the dual 10.25-inch screens is of a extra upmarket and alluring cabin. The dashboard’s low sill and huge glasshouse additionally equals a fantastic view out, however the seats aren’t as beneficiant as those on the Honda.

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: options

In phrases of consolation options, the Creta in its top-spec SX (O) type has the clear higher hand with entrance seat air flow, a 360-degree digital camera, enticing full-digital dials, dual-zone local weather management, a punchier Bose sound system, an electrical parking brake, and the all-important panoramic sunroof that’s a attract its personal proper. The Creta’s 10.25-inch touchscreen is slick too, however frustratingly misses out on wi-fi connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Creta’s panoramic sunroof is a draw, however wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are missed.

The Elevate in top-spec ZX type comes with all modern-day necessities like a pleasant sufficient 10.25-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; there’s a wi-fi cellphone charger and a single-pane sunroof, too. The Elevate is competitively priced for what it will get you, however I sense there’s room for a higher-spec mannequin with extra goodies packed in.

Creta is roomier and extra accommodating for third passenger within the rear.

Shifting the main focus to the rear seats, let’s begin with the Creta that appears like a bigger SUV, an impression solely helped by the panoramic sunroof. The knee room is nice, but it surely’s the better cabin width that makes all of the distinction. There’s sufficient room for 3 to sit down in consolation, however this additionally attracts your consideration to the absence of a rear centre headrest. Outboard passengers will, nonetheless, take to the sunshades for the home windows, pillows for the headrests, and a well-positioned centre armrest. The seat again angle is adjustable too.   

Elevate has the comfier rear seat and house is nice

When it’s time to load the baggage, it’s the Elevate which has the clear benefit. Its 458-litre boot is far more accommodating than the Creta’s, which might maintain 433 litres. You can break up and fold the rear seats in each SUVs, do you have to want more room.

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: powertrains, efficiency

The Creta gives better selection with the choice of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel, too. For this comparability, we’ve gone in for the bottom 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol. The engine is nice and closest in spec to the 1.5 naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol that’s the only powertrain on supply on the Elevate. CVT is obtainable on each SUVs and is the gearbox of alternative for the take a look at. 

On to the Creta first. The 1.5 petrol with CVT is perhaps the model that will get the least protection, but it surely’s the model that makes probably the most sense for the typical metropolis consumer. The 115hp engine is basically likeable and delivers a nice unfold of efficiency proper from the get-go. The mid-range isn’t punchy, however you get all of the efficiency that you simply want once you need it. 

The different spotlight is refinement. The engine runs quietly and also you don’t get that rubber band impact CVTs are infamous for. In truth, the sleek and well-tuned gearbox is as near a torque converter automated as a CVT can get, and that’s saying quite a bit. Drive modes assist fine-tune the drive expertise to an extent, however given the Creta’s chilled-out nature, I don’t see too many homeowners toggling between the settings.

The Honda Elevate comes into the combat with a slight energy benefit and an engine with VTEC in its title. However, the Honda SUV is greatest loved when not rushed. Throttle responses are actually crisp, and the CVT gearbox additionally works properly within the background. The factor is, once you need extra from the engine—say for a fast overtake—and press down a bit exhausting on the accelerator pedal, you get the dreaded rubber band impact in all its glory. Engine revs rise and not using a corresponding enhance in highway velocity, and it will get so noisy that you simply’ll need to again off to convey the engine again into its consolation zone. And that’s a disgrace as a result of then you definitely don’t expertise the most effective of the engine, which is its efficiency. The Elevate is the faster SUV in flat-out acceleration in addition to kickdown acceleration. Still, the expertise feels quite a bit busier within the Honda, a sense not helped by the highway noise creeping into the cabin.

Elevate’s CVT dulls driving expertise.

 

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: experience, dealing with 

Both SUVs are simple to dwell with within the city and really feel sure-footed on freeway journeys. However, you’ll join extra with an Elevate on a winding highway, although. Also, whereas the Elevate isn’t as absorbent as a Creta at low speeds, the Honda feels just like the more durable SUV. Its floor clearance, long-travel suspension, and sturdy construct rely for lots when the floor deteriorates. Of the present crop of midsized SUVs, the Elevate feels closest to the unique Duster on this respect.

Elevate’s lengthy journey suspension and 220mm clearance rely for lots..

A phrase on security. Both fashions of their 2024 avatars get six airbags and digital stability management as customary, however neither has been crash-tested by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP but.

Top variations additionally pack in superior driver help (ADAS) options, resembling lane maintain help, auto emergency braking, and adaptive cruise management. While the Creta’s system is camera- and radar-based, the Elevate makes use of solely a camera-based system. So performance depends on gentle and visibility. Both SUVs’ ADAS capabilities work effectively sufficient, although they’re greatest considered an added security web somewhat than as one thing to depend on.

Hyundai Creta IVT vs Honda Elevate CVT: verdict

Before we discuss costs, let’s discuss of the opposite variety of curiosity—gas financial system. The Creta IVT has the essential edge on this entrance. Not solely does it have the upper official ARAI determine however its 10.3kpl metropolis quantity is effectively away from the Elevate’s 8.6kpl. On the freeway, the hole was smaller, although.

Finally, pricing. Talking particularly of the petrol automatics featured right here, the Elevate vary begins at Rs 13.71 lakh and tops off at Rs 16.43 lakh for the ZX CVT. The Creta IVT begins at Rs 15.85 lakh, with the SX(O) model featured right here coming in at Rs 18.73 lakh (ex-showroom). Forego some frills and also you’ll get the SX Tech trim at Rs 17.48 lakh, making it a wise decide.

The Elevate makes for a level-headed alternative. It’s good, sensible, and rugged, and truly scores effectively on worth. The peppy efficiency makes it nice for town, however the common refinement and gas financial system are belongings you’ll must dwell with. More options would additionally make the bundle extra attractive.

The Creta is pricier however makes the additional spend price it as a result of its plusher and roomier cabin and much more wow options. That really feel extends to the way in which it drives too, with higher refinement and a quieter expertise. It doesn’t really feel fairly as robust as an Elevate, however in most different departments, the Creta comes throughout because the extra healthful bundle. When you’re spending a substantial sum of money, that really feel counts for lots.

Also see:

Hyundai Creta vs Honda Elevate comparability video evaluation

2024 Hyundai Creta long run evaluation, 1,700km report

Honda Elevate highway take a look at, evaluation