Honda Elevate facelift has been spied testing under heavy camo, indicating that a mid cycle refresh could be introduced. A camouflaged test vehicle was recently spotted on public roads, offering the first glimpse of what could be the facelifted iteration of the compact SUV. The Elevate SUV was first launched in 2023 and this appears to be the first mid life update the SUV will be receiving. Most recently Honda Cars India launched the Honda City facelift in both petrol and hybrid versions. Honda also unveiled the Honda ZR-V premium SUV which is expected to be brought to India as a CBU.
Honda Elevate facelift – Expected Exterior Design
While heavy camouflage conceals most of the exterior details, the test mule appears to feature revised LED tail light inlays and maybe even a clear lens tail light setup similar to what is seen on the recently updated Honda City. Other visual updates are expected to include subtle revisions to the front and rear bumpers along with refreshed alloy wheel designs. These changes are likely to be minor but aimed at keeping the model relevant in a competitive segment. Honda could also introduce new colour options to add freshness to the lineup. Overall proportions and design language are expected to remain largely unchanged.
Honda Elevate facelift – Expected Interior Design and Features
On the inside, Honda is expected to add more features to improve the overall value of the Elevate. Features such as a 360 degree camera which is currently not standard could be introduced. Other additions may include ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and a few updates to the infotainment system. There could also be a new cabin theme with updated seat upholstery and dashboard finish to give the interior a refreshed look. Apart from these additions, the overall layout and design of the cabin are expected to remain the same as the current model.
Honda Elevate facelift – Expected Powertrain
On the powertrain front, Honda is unlikely to make any major changes. The current 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is expected to continue. This engine produces 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque and is offered with a 6 speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. There is no confirmation yet on whether Honda will introduce a hybrid variant with the Elevate facelift. This is important as rivals in the segment such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara already offer strong hybrid options. There are also talks of hybrid options coming in upcoming models like the Renault Duster but full details are not yet available.
Honda Elevate facelift – Market Positioning and Rivals
Once launched, the Honda Elevate facelift will continue to compete in a highly competitive segment. Its main rivals will include the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Tata Sierra and the Renault Duster. The segment has seen constant updates from competitors which makes this facelift important for Honda.
At present there is no official information on the launch timeline but it is expected to arrive later this year. The current model is priced between Rs 11.60 lakh and Rs 16.45 lakh ex showroom. Since this is a facelift, a slight increase in pricing can be expected, although exact details are not confirmed yet.
Spyshot Image Credits: Motorbeam