Is Honda Finally Giving The Elevate The Cabin It Deserves?

What's The Big News?

Remember when Honda launched the Elevate last year? It was a solid, honest-to-god midsize SUV that nailed the basics of ride comfort, cabin space, and ground clearance. But let's be real for a second. In a segment where buyers treat a panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats like basic human rights, the Elevate felt a bit like a high-quality analogue watch in a world of flashy smartwatches. It was sensible, sure, but it lacked that modern tech sizzze that makes you want to sign a fat loan cheque.

Well, Honda has been listening to the chatter at the tea stalls and dealerships. In a recent chat, Kunal Behl, the vice president of marketing and sales at Honda Cars India, dropped a massive hint. The Japanese brand is currently cooking up a mid-lifecycle facelift for the Elevate, and it is set to inherit some much-needed tech and convenience features from its sedan sibling, the City. This means the Elevate is finally getting the premium ammunition it needs to stand tall against the feature-heavy Korean twins.

Upgrading the Cabin: Borrowing From The City

So, what exactly is coming? If we look at what the latest Honda City offers, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit that the Elevate can easily adopt. For starters, we can expect the inclusion of a more refined interior color palette and upgraded cabin materials. The current Elevate has a decent cabin, but it doesn't quite scream premium luxury when you sit inside it. Incorporating the City’s sleeker dashboard finishes and nicer upholstery options would instantly elevate (pun absolutely intended) the overall experience.

Then there is the big elephant in the room—ventilated seats. If you have ever survived an Indian summer, you know that cooled seats are not a luxury; they are a necessity. While the current Elevate misses out on this, the updated model is highly likely to get them. We also expect Honda to fine-tune their ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) suite. The updated City got a more advanced camera-based setup with features like Low-Speed Follow, which would be a godsend for our bumper-to-bumper city traffic. Plus, we might finally see a premium sound system and a slicker, faster infotainment interface to replace the slightly laggy unit in the current car.

Under The Hood: If It Is Not Broken, Don't Fix It

Powering this updated SUV will almost certainly be the same trusted 1.5-litre i-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol engine. Now, some enthusiasts might groan about the lack of a punchy turbo-petrol option, but let's give credit where it's due. This four-cylinder motor is a masterclass in refinement. It revs beautifully, makes all the right noises when you push it, and is incredibly reliable. You'll get the same choice of a crisp 6-speed manual gearbox or a smooth CVT automatic.

What about a hybrid option? We've seen how popular the City e:HEV is among fuel-efficiency seekers. While a strong hybrid Elevate would be an absolute dream for daily commuters, Honda has previously hinted at high localization costs being a barrier. So, we shouldn't hold our breath for a hybrid badge just yet. Instead, expect Honda to focus on squeezing out slightly better real-world fuel efficiency from the existing petrol powertrain through minor tuning tweaks.

Specs At A Glance

How Does It Stack Up Against The Competition?

Cracking the midsize SUV segment in India is harder than clearing the UPSC exams. You have the Hyundai Creta sitting on the throne with its massive panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and multiple engine options. Then you have the Kia Seltos, which looks like a million bucks and offers tech that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie. Even Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have joined the party with their highly frugal strong hybrids.

Where the Elevate claws back territory is in its pure mechanical integrity. It drives like a proper European car, absorbing craters on the road better than what Maruti gives you at this price. Its 220mm of ground clearance is best-in-class, meaning you can abuse it on broken roads without wincing. If Honda can bridge the feature gap with this facelift, the Elevate goes from being a 'sensible alternative' to a mainstream contender.

The Good And The Not-So-Good

What We Like

• Incredible ride quality that flattens bad roads effortlessly
• Massive 220mm ground clearance gives you immense confidence
• Superbly refined and reliable 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine
• Spacious cabin with excellent visibility and comfortable seating

What Could Be Better

• Lack of a punchy turbo-petrol engine for highway performance
• No panoramic sunroof, which is a massive selling point for Indian buyers
• Cabin insulation (NVH levels) could be tighter at high speeds

Price & When You Can Buy It

Honda has not announced any official launch dates yet, but this mid-lifecycle refresh is expected to arrive sometime in late 2025. Given that it is a feature-loading exercise rather than a complete mechanical overhaul, we don't expect a massive sticker shock.

Pricing for the current Elevate ranges from roughly ₹11.7 lakh to ₹16.5 lakh (ex-showroom). When the facelifted version arrives, expect a minor price bump of about ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 depending on the variant. For the price of a mid-spec Swift extra, getting ventilated seats and better ADAS is a trade-off most buyers will happily make.

Our Verdict

In my opinion, the Elevate was always a brilliant canvas that Honda forgot to paint fully. It had the chassis, the suspension, and the engine, but it lacked the flashy brushstrokes that attract modern family buyers. By bringing in the premium features from the City, Honda is finally giving this SUV the respect it deserves. (about time, Honda). If you value peace of mind, bulletproof reliability, and stellar ride comfort, you might want to hold off on your SUV purchase until this updated Elevate hits the showrooms.