Honda Elevate AT driving experience compared to EU & Korean rivals

Overall, this Honda feels more Chinese than Japanese from sentiment perspective.

BHPian dipen recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Drove a 10k done well-maintained Elevate AT.

Not just the best but beats everyone by a margin in the rear legroom. Obviously, partially this is due to limited front seat travel but keeping all aside; it's the best rear leg room. Under no situation, did the rear passenger knee ever touch the front seat. But front passengers above 6" need to really check if they can adjust as the front seat travel is truly limited.

Mainly a 4 seater - comparable to EU competition. Seat curves better than Koreans. Outward visibility is decently good. Under thigh is not as great as EU twins but on par with Koreans.

You can really feel the elevation in additional ride height of an inch when compared to Koreans, EU competition. can see every bonnet curve.

The music system and controls of a 10" inch screen are acceptable. Occasionally you may miss a subwoofer but music quality is acceptable with 8 speakers (4 + 4). can't complain.

Interiors are borderline acceptable even for top models. But I think it's the same in the segment for almost all.

Now on the drive, neither is it the most comfortable on rough urban cracks nor sporty. No, it just isn't right. There is a lot of sideways movement maybe due to the 220 GC. Can feel it even without noticing. Feels more Hectorish than the competition. It's really a letdown. It just does not ride cushy or flat on any roads. Speed breakers are not an issue though and there are no thuds in the cabin.

The EU cousins AT Gearboxes and power delivery is vastly superior (city, urban highway - anywhere). The Elevate gearbox feel is not just a rubberband but a stressed rubberband even on city overtakes. Nowhere feels nimble like the City. You can sense the lack of power. The 1.0 turbos are definitely superior and the 1.5 turbos are a different league altogether.

Price-wise it's a full 1+ lakh cheaper than EU competition but EU competition always has some discounts. It's nearly 80k cheaper than Koreans as well. But Koreans have panorama views as a big draw.

Overall, this Honda feels more Chinese than Japanese from a sentiment perspective. In its current avatar, don't think it can turn the fortunes of Honda India. It still needs to reduce the price to really force the sub-compact buyers to upgrade for less money for more cars. It won't be able to compete with the fierce competition neither in ride quality nor on features, neither in engine nor on FE. This is the first time, a Honda is priced lowest in its segment against the competition, and rightly there are justified reasons as well which even Honda couldn't ignore.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.