The award winning Honda Elevate

Honda needs no introduction. It’s a brand nearly as old as our country, and over the course of its rich 76-year history, it’s rolled out some truly breathtaking icons. With such pedigree, expectations run high every time a new Honda breaks cover, and even more so when we’re talking about the hotly contested midsize SUV space in India. After taking its time to study the segment’s various intricacies and nuances, Honda finally rolled out the Elevate.

Arriving on the scene with all the makings of a top contender, the Elevate was immediately impressive. At the heart of its recipe for success was an exceptionally smooth petrol engine backed up by quintessential Japanese reliability. Stellar build quality and intelligent tech added to the Elevate’s charm, and it’s all neatly packaged in a sleek design and imposing SUV credentials. Which is why it was no surprise that the Elevate bagged our Midsize SUV of The Year Award at the Autocar Awards 2024. However, in a segment as popular as this one, the ultimate jury is you, the viewers. And the Elevate delivered on that front too. Honda added another feather in its cap as the Elevate claimed our Viewer’s Choice Car of The Year Award. And what better way to investigate how the Elevate struck a chord with so many of you than to take some of our voters out for a spin in the very car they awarded.

Making a strong first impression is the Elevate’s dynamic duo: the powerful yet refined 121hp, 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine paired with an engaging six-speed manual and a smooth-shifting CVT transmission. Our voters were keen to highlight this. “As someone who drives to the office daily, my commute is very relaxed thanks to the intelligent CVT gearbox. The convenience it offers when dealing with long lines of traffic is so worth it,” said Vinay Tahilramani, who bought an Elevate for himself after a successful test drive. And in typical Honda fashion, the Elevate makes a compelling case for exceptional driving dynamics, only enhanced by a 220mm ground clearance, which was all the rage for Vinay. “I must say, the Elevate glides over potholes and rough terrain effortlessly. And even on occasions of spirited driving, it feels so composed!”

Cementing the Elevate’s grip on the top spot are its handsome looks. The sleek design, muscular wheel arches and stunning 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels all lend the SUV a stunning silhouette. What struck our voters the most were the Alpha Bold Signature grille and the radiant DRLs. “It adds so much character and drama to the Elevate’s looks!” said Sourabh Sanganeria, who booked an Elevate right on the first day. “The Elevate was a no-brainer honestly. A commanding driving position, stellar road presence, and the textbook Honda reliability, what more could one ask for?” he said with a bright smile.

Strong powertrain and stunning looks aside, the Elevate delivers on the inside as well, sporting a premium cabin with intelligent tech and loads of practicality. “I regularly go out on family outings, which means long drives out of the city, and we love the comfort the Elevate offers. My mother is elderly, so comfortable seats – especially in the back – are a priority. The seats, the materials used, the build quality; all of it looks and feels premium,” Sourabh said. The intelligent 10.25-inch touchscreen display ups the ante on tech, perfectly complemented by the welcome addition of a wireless charger and sunroof. The touchscreen display also features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities for seamless connectivity. “I’m amazed by how easy it is to use the touchscreen system! The sunroof is an added bonus too. Glad I voted for the Elevate as my choice.” said Ameya Khedkar, who was the lucky voter tasked with felicitating the Honda Elevate with the Viewer’s Choice Award at the 2024 Autocar Awards ceremony.

Honda’s holistic approach with the Elevate helped it rise to the upper echelons of the midsize SUV segment. In our time with the Elevate, we certainly came to appreciate its robust safety features including big draws like six airbags, ABS, EBD and hill-start assist. The voters shared our consensus, and for people like Pawan Ratekar, the Elevate’s superior safety package sealed the deal. “I was in the market for a capable midsize SUV and as someone who loves taking long, cross-country drives, safety was always a priority. With such a strong safety proposition, the Elevate was my first choice.”

However, just like a blockbuster flick needs a strong lead, the state of the art Honda Sensing ADAS suite is the star of the Elevate show. We could see Pawan’s face light up as he began highlighting the ADAS suite’s many intuitive features. “It’s a gift that keeps on giving!” he said with a beaming smile. “I’m extremely delighted with the ADAS functionalities. The Lane Keep Assist System, the Adaptive Cruise Control, and many such features really sealed the deal!”

The universal appeal of the Elevate is borne out by the fact that our thoughts about the car’s splendid package, superior ride quality and the fabled Honda driving experience were echoed by our voters, ultimately helping it bag not one but two awards at the 2024 Autocar India Awards. With such a fabulous beginning to its India innings, one thing’s for certain: the Elevate story is only just getting started.

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