Honda has introduced a new small crossover SUV named Elevate. According to Autocar India, the vehicle will compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq and Suzuki Grand Vitara when it goes on sale next month. All prices are pending.
The newcomer sports an original exterior with a nearly upright front fascia, an impressively large grille and rather unusual c-pillars. The body is 4,312 mm long, 1,790 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall with 2,650 mm of wheelbase. The ground clearance is fairly high with 220 mm (8.6 inches), and the trunk area is decent with 458 liters (16.17 cubic feet).
On its most basic trim level, the model offers a 7-inch digital dash screen, a 10.25-inch head unit, a reversing camera and a suite of driving aids – quite a generous offer by Indian market standards. Higher trim levels will even offer two-tone upholstery.
From the technical point of view, the car runs on an architecture known as Global Small Car, which is also used by the locally made Honda City and the Asian-spec Honda HR-V. It has McPherson struts at the front axle, semi-dependent suspension at the rear and only one engine on the supported list. It is a 1.5-liter non-turbo mill rated at 121 PS (120 hp / 90 kW) and 145 Nm (107 lb-ft) of torque. The transmission can be six-speed manual or CVT, but there is no way to get all-wheel drive. Later on, Honda promises to introduce a hybrid and an all-electric version of the car.
Per Autocar India, the model will only be produced for the domestic market for the time being, but it might eventually be exported into other countries as well.
