[GuChDa]

Originally Posted by beez

Rear seat photo confirms that the Elevate will come with only a lap belt and no headrest for the middle passenger seat. I was desperately hoping Honda would accomodate this at least for the production version when Honda City gets these.

Why cut cost even on simple safety features!

Even while Honda homologated the vehicle as 5 seater, in practical use they would want it to be clear as a 4 seater only. That's the way the rear bench has been designed as well unless someone doesn't mind to sit over that hump as a 5th person for short stints.

This could be due to anemic engine that already has 100 kgs over city to carry on with. (1 well fed person weight) Well that's the way I reason this lapse which otherwise shouldn't have been a big cost issue.

[venus1975]

Originally Posted by wheelguy

Somehow, dashboard of Elevate is giving sense of superior quality when compared to the other cars from the segment.

It could be due to the brown leather inserts in the dashboard. Faux wood insert is also a nice touch. So it is these premium materials doing the trick, I believe.

Does anyone know if Seltos uses leather inserts, or only a soft touch plastic that matches the seat color, in its dashboard and side doors?

[Dead_Pedal]

Originally Posted by venus1975

Does anyone know if Seltos uses leather inserts, or only a soft touch plastic that matches the seat color, in its dashboard and side doors?

Only leather inserts. Plastics are hard everywhere. I wouldn't mind hard plastics as long as the texture looks good and the plastics aren't shiny black. Plastics on most Hondas are very shiny.

[kushagra452]

My expectations and predictions:

1. Elevate will most likely be a 'dead on arrival' product from Honda India. Knowing Honda, they will charge a hefty premium even for the base model. After the initial hype (if at all) the demand will fizzle out. The dealers will try the tried and tested 'long waiting time strategy (scam!?)' to push higher spec models and accessories.

2. At the end of the day, this product will be forgotten by both the masses and the enthusiasts. I expect Honda India to discontinue Elevate in about 50 months from the date of the price reveal and exit the Indian market within the next 100 months.

3. The Indian SUV market will essentially become a duopoly with the Koreans splitting the market amongst themselves and enjoying much much higher margins.

4. Creta might go the 'Fortuner way'. Don't be surprised to see Creta being moved to the 20L-30L bracket in the future (after the failure of Elevate and exit of Honda India plus stringent emission and safety norms).

[Mr.Ogre]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Honda Elevate media drive reviews drops on

Love this car already. Love the interior layout too. Not too much clutter, understated but feels nice. I would have brought this car in manual trim if I were in India now.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by ashvek3141

Idk why Honda has given the ‘S’ cog below the ‘D’ ; instead they could have given it either on the the left or right. This is so inconvenient. Everytime you shift, you’ll have to ensure that you shift in ‘D’ correctly and not ‘S’.

Have been using same setup in Jazz CVT since 4 years and believe me its absolutely no issue at all. Maybe for someone shifting from a different setup, it might take sometime to get used to but in general there's no problem as such.

Originally Posted by capnemo

One question for Honda owners here - How does Honda cars India fare on the structural build and safety aspects ?

I know the City got a 4 star in the GNCAP ratings and I am aware of the host of safety features in the City and the Elevate, but from your personal experience of having owned Hondas, how much peace of mind would a Honda guarantee from a safety and structural quality perspective ?

Well the Jazz got 4* along with stable bodyshell rating(so did AMAZE AFAIR) which was a rarity in hatches till Altroz arrived. Hondas in general are fill it, shut it, forget it machines. They dont provide as many features as koreans but whatever they provide is thoroughly tested and works like a charm.

For example here's an ADAS comparison video between XUV7OO, Ionic, City & EQS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3dVeEXhkk

[Siddj38]

MG has started trolling Honda already xD

[GuChDa]

Originally Posted by kushagra452

My expectations and predictions:

1. Elevate will most likely be a 'dead on arrival' product from Honda India. Knowing Honda, they will charge a hefty premium even for the base model. After the initial hype (if at all) the demand will fizzle out. The dealers will try the tried and tested 'long waiting time strategy (scam!?)' to push higher spec models and accessories.

2. At the end of the day, this product will be forgotten by both the masses and the enthusiasts. I expect Honda India to discontinue Elevate in about 50 months from the date of the price reveal and exit the Indian market within the next 100 months.

3. The Indian SUV market will essentially become a duopoly with the Koreans splitting the market amongst themselves and enjoying much much higher margins.

4. Creta might go the 'Fortuner way'. Don't be surprised to see Creta being moved to the 20L-30L bracket in the future (after the failure of Elevate and exit of Honda India plus stringent emission and safety norms).

I concur mildly with your views. Further, I would like to mention

1. Elevate might not be DOA. The car unfortunately has been made based on the feedback from select Honda loyal customers. Therefore Honda expectations in terms of numbers is also less as we have seen. So basically it's for those who own Honda and want a Honda in their visioned form.

2. Yes, this is neither for the enthusiasts nor for commoners who prefer features. Hybrid a big miss and so are select features. Zero USP car to me atleast.

3. The mid size SUV has got too much crowded with Koreans to continue their lead. This segment due to the tax structure neither falls in the premium segment nor in the value segment (sub 4 meter), while all the sub 4 meters could come with greater rear seat space and comfort none would offer that with the fear of loosing numbers from mid size segment. Ertiga kind of car with better engine and safety will be the next phase of interest from customers as a true family car.

4. True, Koreans could rule but the governments too much interest in BEV has ruined the prospects of proper hybrid cars from Honda, Toyota and Skoda. Hyundai doesn't care for hybrid now as they are smooth sailing with fat margins with their feature rich offerings. Difficult to say if Honda would leave India in next 3 years or so. Who knows Elevate sales may put some sense into their minds. Honda is failing everywhere. May month Australia sales were 800 odd... Honda is directionless today and in India they seem to be more unprepared due to wavering norms and exorbitant taxation. Honda fan following is gonna take a beat with Elevate.

[PaddleShifter]

Originally Posted by Siddj38

MG has started trolling Honda already xD

Could be an unintended use of the word elevated as I dont think that Elevate is a competitor to the Hector. Among crossovers with size more than 4000mm, cars like Kushaq, Taigun, Grand Vitara/Hyryder, Elevate are competing at a slighly lower price point than the MG Hector, Harrier/Safari, XUV etc.

[uditanshh]

Some pics from the Honda Elevate Media Drives. It certainly is a looker.

[beez]

Originally Posted by GuChDa

Even while Honda hypothecated the vehicle as 5 seater, in practical use they would want it to be clear as a 4 seater only. That's the way the rear bench has been designed as well unless someone doesn't mind to sit over that hump as a 5th person for short stints.

This could be due to anemic engine that already has 100 kgs over city to carry on with. (1 well fed person weight) Well that's the way I reason this lapse which otherwise shouldn't have been a big cost issue.

I am unable to see that as the Honda rationale. What is stopping someone who is not so safety conscious from accommodating a 5th person in their car even without these features when Honda proudly proclaim the interior space to be one among the best in segment. Another scenario I can think of is a child seat attached in the rear seat in case of a 5-member family. Mostly an adult or even the grown-up teen would end up in the middle seat - the one with no headrest or proper seatbelt.

I would trade the flexibility of carrying an extra passenger safely buckled (when the need arises) for the lag from the additional weight. Not everybody can stretch their budget to get an Innova or XUV7OO for additional seats. And most cars in this segment do offer these features - even Maruti gave in Grand Vitara (isn't the K15C engine more sluggish than the City one).

[rayjaycleoful]

Originally Posted by uditanshh

Some pics from the Honda Elevate Media Drives. It certainly is a looker.

Attachment 2481132

Attachment 2481133

Attachment 2481134

Attachment 2481135

Is it just me or do the lines/ threads on the dashboard look misaligned - like a job done in Karol Bagh and not an OEM.

[GuChDa]

Originally Posted by beez

I am unable to see that as the Honda rationale. What is stopping someone who is not so safety conscious from accommodating a 5th person in their car even without these features when Honda proudly proclaim the interior space to be one among the best in segment. Another scenario I can think of is a child seat attached in the rear seat in case of a 5-member family. Mostly an adult or even the grown-up teen would end up in the middle seat - the one with no headrest or proper seatbelt.

I would trade the flexibility of carrying an extra passenger safely buckled (when the need arises) for the lag from the additional weight. Not everybody can stretch their budget to get an Innova or XUV7OO for additional seats. And most cars in this segment do offer these features - even Maruti gave in Grand Vitara (isn't the K15C engine more sluggish than the City one).

Hi

I have Endy. Frankly 3 passengers is a squeeze there too (relatively comfortable though).
Regarding space, no doubt that Elevate is spacious in leg and knee room with moderate head room. Shoulder room is definitely tight.

It all depends on how the car is designed. Brezza could fit 3 better than in any of the mid size cross overs if I may say. I hope you have noticed huge huge gaps between the fender and the chasis when bonnet is opened, meaning the bulk is actually not transfered as space inside.

What's Hondas rationale is beyond and everyone would have liked a proper 3 seater bench but then Honda decided for 2 comfortable and contoured seats at rear with a provision for an obedient child in the centre.

Recently I had Triber as a Taxi. With 70 odd HP even that drove with near full load which necessarily doesn't mean that the driver was enjoying maneuvering the gears and pedal to push the car.

May be Hondas spirit for Fun to drive will prevail with this

I also feel that Elevate was cut in few features to ensure their experiment with BEV (I said experiment as I couldn't trace any past success stories from Honda in BEV offering) to be successful and that will have all bells and whistles just like the Koreans. I am sure that it will be launched much sooner than the stated 3 years time line.

[uditanshh]

Originally Posted by rayjaycleoful

Is it just me or do the lines/ threads on the dashboard look misaligned - like a job done in Karol Bagh and not an OEM.

If HCIL is somehow really aiming for premium pricing, then I think they should atleast iron out all the inconsistencies in the fit and finish before the Elevate hits the dealerships in September.

Inconsistent fit and finish against the Koreans along with other issues (Being late to market, No turbo petrol, low on features) would be enough reason for the Elevate to be DOA.

[sarwahi]

Connected features of Elevate.