Honda Elevate: Underrated Choice Or Missed Opportunity?

Back in September 2023, Honda launched the Elevate in India at a starting price of Rs. 11.64 lakh (ex-showroom). With this SUV, Honda aimed to strengthen its presence in one of the country's most competitive automotive segments. The Elevate arrived with a clean and mature design, a proven petrol engine, a spacious cabin and a strong focus on practicality. Despite offering a well-rounded package, the SUV failed to achieve the sales numbers many expected. So, what went wrong? In this article, we take a closer look at the Honda Elevate and explore why it struggled to make a bigger impact in the midsize SUV segment. Meanwhile, join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Community for the latest automotive updates.

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Honda Elevate Sales Number

Honda Elevate was a good product as it offered almost everything buyers look for in this segment. It had strong road presence, a modern design, Hondas tried-and-tested i-VTEC petrol engine, and a spacious, practical cabin. However, despite these strengths, the SUV managed to sell only 1,085 units in April 2026 and 2,467 units in March 2026.

On the other hand, if we compare it with the Hyundai Creta, the segment leader, the SUV recorded sales of 15,291 units in April 2026 and 17,838 units in March 2026. There is a significant difference in sales figures, despite being a good and a well-rounded product, Elevate struggled to stand out in an increasingly competitive midsize SUV segment. Buyers appeared to favour rivals that offered a broader range of powertrains, more feature-rich packages and stronger brand recall in the SUV space.

Good's In Honda Elevate

Design

First thing first, Honda Elevate features a clean yet muscular SUV design. Up front, it got a large chrome-accented grille flanked by sleek LED headlamps and a sculpted bumper that gave it a bold stance. From the side it is upright and proportionate, with squared wheel arches, and 17-inch alloy wheels enhancing its overall appearance. At the rear, the connected-effect LED tail lamps, chunky bumper and upright tailgate added to its rugged character.Moreover, the high ground clearance and boxy proportions further strengthened its road presence, making it look larger and more SUV-like than many of its rivals.

Engine 

Powering the Honda Elevate is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque. Buyers could choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-step CVT automatic with paddle shifters. The engine is known for its smooth power delivery, refinement and proven reliability that makes it suitable for both city commutes and highway journeys. In terms of efficiency, the manual variant delivered a claimed fuel economy of up to 15.31 kmpl, while the CVT automatic offered up to 16.92 kmpl. However, the Elevate misses out on turbo-petrol, diesel, CNG and strong-hybrid powertrain options, limiting buyer choice in an increasingly diverse segment.

Interior & Features

The Honda Elevate come equipped with features such as:

10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system

Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

7-inch full-colour TFT instrument display

8-speaker premium surround sound system

Wireless smartphone charger

One-touch electric sunroof

Automatic climate control with Max Cool mode

Rear AC vents

PM 2.5 cabin air filter

Ivory & Black dual-tone interior theme

Brown & Black dual-tone interior theme

What made the Elevate's cabin appealing was not an extensive feature count but its focus on practicality and comfort. The dashboard layout was clean and intuitive, the controls were easy to reach, and the overall design felt mature and user-friendly. Combined with the SUV's spacious cabin, the interior delivered a comfortable everyday experience that prioritised ease of use over unnecessary complexity.

Safety 

Safety has also been prioritised in the Honda Elevate it come equipped with a comprehensive safety package that included: 

Six Airbags

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

Hill Start Assist

ABS with EBD

Brake Assist

ISOFIX Child-Seat Mounts

LaneWatch Camera

Rear Parking Sensors

Multi-Angle Rear-View Camera

Additionally, higher variants further enhanced safety with:  

Honda SENSING ADAS Features

Automatic Emergency Braking

Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane Keeping Assist

Road Departure Prevention

Lead Vehicle Departure Alert

Automatic High Beam

Overall, the Elevate offered a well-rounded safety package with all the essential features buyers expect in a family SUV. The addition of ADAS in higher variants further enhanced confidence, making it a reassuring choice for both city commutes and highway journeys.

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Verdict 

The Honda Elevate tells us that not every good product guarantees strong sales. It offered a practical cabin, refined petrol engine, safety package and mature SUV design, making it a sensible choice for many buyers. However, the absence of multiple powertrain options and a relatively conservative feature strategy limited its appeal. Overall, the Elevate was a good SUV that deserved better sales numbers.