Honda Elevate vs rivals: specifications compared

The Honda Elevate was recently launched in the fiercely competitve midsize SUV segment in our market. The Elevate has its work cut out, as it's not only Honda India’s only SUV, but it’s also up against established rivals like the Hyundai Creta,  Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and the MG Astor. The upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross will also be a contender in this space.

We’ve already put the Hone Elevate through its paces, and here, we are taking a look at how it stacks up against rivals in terms of dimensions, specs, engine options and price. Do note that for this comparison, we’ll only be considering the entry-level engines of each competitor as the Elevate comes with just one, naturally-aspirated petrol engine.

Honda Elevate vs rivals: dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the Honda Elevate measures 4,312mm in length, 1,790mm in width and 1,650mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,650mm, which puts it more or less on par with the competition. The Honda does boast of the highest ground clearance though, at 220mm. The 458-litre boot is also on the larger side in comparison.

As for the rivals, the Kia Seltos is the longest, while the MG Astor is the widest of the lot. The Citroen C3 Aircross, meanwhile, is the tallest, has the longest wheelbase, and the largest boot, but that doesn’t come as a surprise since unlike the others here, it’s the only one that comes with a seven-seater option. All SUVs ride on 17-inch alloys, though the Seltos gets larger 18-inch rims on the top-spec variants. 

Honda Elevate vs rivals: engine and gearbox

Powering the Honda Elevate is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine, which also does duty on the City sedan, and puts out 121hp and 145Nm. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-step CVT automatic. There are no other engine options available with this SUV at launch.

When compared to rivals’ base engines, the Elevate has the upper hand in terms of displacement and power, but it lags behind the C3 Aircross, and Taigun and Kushaq in terms of torque. All SUVs in this lot, barring the Skoda, VW and Citroen (which get a three-cylinder turbo-petrol), get a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. 

As for gearboxes, all get 6-speed manuals except the Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Astor, and all come with automatic gearbox options save for the C3 Aircross. Where the Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Astor get CVT autos, the Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Taigun and Kushaq get more conventional torque converter units.

Rivals offer turbo-petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid powertrains

While the Elevate’s 1.5-litre petrol is on par with the competition, where it loses out is in the number of powertrains on offer. Apart from the upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross, which gets a turbo-petrol only, all other SUVs here come with multiple engine options. The Creta and Seltos can be had with diesel engines, and the Grand Vitara and Hyryder get strong-hybrid and CNG powertrains. Meanwhile, the Seltos, Astor, Kushaq and Taigun also come with a larger and more powerful 1.5 turbo-petrols and the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, uniquely, get an AWD option.

The lack of powertrain options may restrict the Elevate’s appeal to certain buyers, but that remains to be seen. Honda has also confirmed that the Elevate won’t get the City’s e:HEV strong-hybrid tech, but an all-electric version is in the works.

Honda Elevate vs rivals: price

At Rs 11-16 lakh, the Elevate has a higher starting price than most rivals, with only the Kushaq and Taigun priced higher still. However, it packs in a fair bit of equipment even in its base SV trim, justifying the premium over most rivals. At the top-end, meanwhile, the Elevate has the most affordable fully-loaded automatic variant among all its rivals with their respective entry-level naturally aspirated or turbo-petrol engines.

As mentioned, all rivals also offer higher-spec turbo-petrol, hybrid or diesel powertrains, which is why their price bands are a lot wider, but for a like-to-like comparison, the Elevate has been very competitively priced.  

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Also see:

Honda confirms Elevate EV, five new SUVs by 2030