KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Honda Elevate hybrid launch likely by festive season of 2026
- Could share powertrain with the City hybrid
- Currently available in a sole 1.5L i-Vtec petrol engine shared with City sedan
Honda Cars India is reportedly gearing up to introduce a hybrid version of its Elevate SUV by the second half of 2026, potentially aligning the launch with the festive season as per the latest scoop online. This move is seen as a strategic response to the brand's shrinking domestic footprint and intensifying competition in the mid-size SUV segment. With a hybrid already doing duties with the City sedan, read on to find out what this upcoming model could offer, but before moving ahead, make sure to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community of petrolheads to never miss out on any updates from the automotive world.
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Honda Elevate Hybrid: Launch Likely By Second Half Of 2026
The Honda Elevate, currently offered with a sole 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 121hp and 145Nm, has struggled to maintain its initial sales momentum since its launch in late 2023, while being a pretty well-balanced and nice to drive proposition. With rivals like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder already offering hybrid options and Hyundai and Kia also expected to join the fray, Honda's shift towards electrified powertrains is seen as a necessary evolution.
While Honda has yet to officially confirm the model, sources indicate that preparations are already underway at its Tapukara plant in Rajasthan, where the hybrid version is expected to roll off a newly developed production line. This would mark Honda's second locally-assembled hybrid after the City e:HEV, which currently accounts for around 12% of overall City sales, which is pretty impressive considering its steep price tag.
Powertrain Sharing With City Hybrid?
Though technical specifications are still under wraps, it's likely the Elevate hybrid could share its powertrain with the City e:HEV, a 1.5L Atkinson cycle petrol engine paired with a dual-motor setup and an eCVT transmission. In the sedan, this system delivers an impressive claimed efficiency of 26.5 kmpl, however, final figures for the SUV may differ due to weight and tuning variations and the overall aerodynamics as well.
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The Elevate Hybrid's eventual arrival will place it in direct competition with existing hybrid SUVs and upcoming electrified options from other automakers, including Tata and Mahindra, who are also actively exploring hybrid technology for future models. Notably, Honda is also working towards a tweaked hybrid set-up and heavy localization for its range that could see a substantial cost reduction and eventually aim for more affordable hybrid options in the future. It's still unclear if this, more affordable hybrid comes to life with the Elevate hybrid or will it continue with the current set-up as ususal.
Verdict
With the hybrid SUV segment poised for significant growth, the upcoming Elevate Hybrid could help Honda reassert its position in a fiercely contested market. While you can expect more concrete updates closer to launch as development progresses, the brand surely needs a product which is not too late in its segment, as it was the case with Elevate itself.
