The midsize SUV space is now more competitive than ever. Just the last few months have seen new launches in the form of the Tata Sierra, Renault Duster, Nissan Tekton and the facelifts of the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. Then there are the venerable Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta, the latter of which is set to receive a new-gen model next year, and an all-new entrant, the Hyundai Bayon, is about to join the ranks.  Powertrain choices have been expanding too; diesel continues to be popular, turbo petrols add a dose of excitement, CNG is fast becoming the high-mileage option and there’s electrification in the form of hybrids and full EVs.  So in a bid to keep it relevant, Honda has updated its midsize SUV contender, the Elevate, and here’s how it all comes together.

Design and engineering – 8/10

Honda has given the Elevate a subtle design update, but the changes are effective enough to give the SUV a fresher, more contemporary look without straying far from the original design. The biggest revisions are concentrated at the front end, where a new segmented LED light strip links the LED headlamps and the thick chrome band above them has been replaced with gloss black trim. The front grille gets a revised mesh pattern and a gloss-black finish, lending the front end a slightly sportier, more butch appearance. The Honda badge now sits on the bonnet rather than within the grille, while the fog-lamp housings are now finished in body colour instead of black for a cleaner look.

It’ll take a keen eye to spot the changes along the sides as they’re limited to a new gloss black body cladding instead of a matte finish, silver coloured inserts in the cladding on the doors instead of body colour and a darker finish for the 17-inch alloy wheels which continue with the same design. At the rear, the facelift introduces a new LED light bar that connects the tail-lamps, giving the tailgate a wider, more cohesive appearance, particularly after dark. Rounding off the updates is a new Nordic Forest Pearl paint shade, as you can see in the pictures here.

As for dimensions, it continues to measure 4.3 metres in length, nearly 1.8 metres in width and just over 1.6 metres in height. It’s based on the City platform, but gets a stretched 2650mm wheelbase, wider tracks front and rear and a substantial 220mm of ground clearance.

Interior space and comfort – 8/10

The cabin gets more substantial updates than the exterior, with the changes aimed at improving comfort and perceived quality. To start off, there’s a new ivory and black dual-tone upholstery theme that enhances the sense of space inside and is perhaps more neutral than the tan upholstery earlier. It will be tough to clean though, thankfully there is the option of all-black upholstery with the ‘Black’ edition Elevate.

The dashboard has been revised too, with more white leatherette padding and stitching replacing the outgoing model’s faux wood trim, and the AC controls have been revised, now housing the seat ventilation buttons. Honda has even updated the roofliner fabric which looks and feels much nicer than the older woven roofliner. All of this gives the cabin a fresher look, although the overall layout remains familiar.

Ergonomics remain a strong point, with the Elevate offering a commanding driving position and supportive front seats that make it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. The lumbar support, however, might feel excessive for some and taller people may find underthigh support a bit lacking.

At the rear, space is generous, with plenty of kneeroom and headroom making it a very comfy place for two adults. However, fitting a third passenger will be tight thanks to the cabin’s limited width and raised centre seat. There are no sunblinds either, but Honda has added an adjustable headrest and a three-point seatbelt for the centre passenger, which was an omission earlier. Features back here include dedicated AC vents, USB charging ports, a fold down centre armrest with cupholders, new capacitive-touch LED reading lamps and the most prominent, seat ventilation.

Practicality, meanwhile, remains a strength, with the Elevate offering ample storage spaces throughout the cabin. The boot is also a substantial 458-litres and can pack in much more than the number would suggest. What’s also nice is that it continues to get a spare tyre under the boot floor.

Features and safety – 8/10

The Elevate facelift addresses some of the key equipment gaps in the outgoing model, bringing a more comprehensive feature set to the table. In terms of safety features, there’s now a 360-degree camera (its display on the screen is quite small though, with limited angles of view), which works alongside the existing ‘LaneWatch’ camera, though curiously this feature is still only for the left hand side.

Front parking sensors have also been added to make parking and manoeuvring in tight gaps easier. However, the CVT variants get even more safety kit in the form of an electronic parking brake with auto hold function, rear disc brakes and the addition of a low-speed follow function for the adaptive cruise control, which is useful in stop-and-go traffic.

As for comfort and convenience features, the most important additions are the ventilated front and rear seats, the latter which is a segment-first. Though they take some time to cool effectively, it has enhanced the Elevate’s cabin comfort. Then there’s powered front seats – 8-way for the driver and 4-way for the passenger – ambient lighting and a PM2.5 air purifier. Other than that, much of the existing equipment has been carried over unchanged.

There’s a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration (though its software and feature set still feel basic at best), semi-digital instrument cluster, a single-pane sunroof, wireless phone charger, six airbags, ESC, traction control, camera-based ADAS tech including auto emergency braking, lane keep assist and more. Still however, there are some features missing that rivals offer like a dual-zone for the auto climate control, panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate. 

Powertrain and refinement – 8/10

There have been no changes under the hood of the Honda Elevate. It still continues to be powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 121hp and 145Nm. Gearbox options remain unchanged too, with a 6-speed manual and a 7-step CVT automatic, and we got to sample the latter. However, the engine has been future-proofed and is now WLTP emissions norms compliant while already being E20 fuel compatible.

This i-VTEC engine still impresses however. Throttle response is immediate, with no noticeable delay, making the engine feel sharp and eager. As before, the naturally aspirated motor pulls cleanly from idle all the way to the redline, in a smooth and progressive manner. However, it feels most energetic higher up the rev range, where it feels at its most potent too.

The 7-step CVT works well as an automatic, making light work of everyday commuting with its smooth operation. Paddle shifters with pre-set ratio points also give it some resemblance to a conventional automatic, allowing you to have greater control. However, push the throttle hard and the familiar ‘rubber band’ effect becomes apparent, with the engine holding on to high revs for extended periods, which doesn’t make for a relaxed driving experience. In this respect, Hyundai and Kia’s chain-driven CVT feels a bit smoother and more responsive than this belt-driven one. 

As for performance, we managed a 0-100kph time of 11.89sec with the pre-facelift Elevate CVT and you can expect this facelifted model to be in the same ballpark. Expectedly, the manual does a quicker 10.82sec time to 100kph. 

However, like before the lack of powertrain options is disappointing. In a time when rivals are offering diesels, turbo petrols, strong hybrids and CNGs, the Elevate has to soldier on with a solitary, naturally-aspirated petrol engine which restricts its appeal.

Honda has also worked on improving the Elevate’s noise insulation, an area where the existing model lacked. The company claims better isolation from both engine and road noise, but that has worked only to a small extent, in our experience. It feels quieter than before but there’s still prominent engine and road noise filtering into the cabin, especially at highway speeds, and there’s definitely more room for improvement here.

Fuel efficiency – 7/10

Given our short test drive, we didn’t subject the Elevate facelift to our real-world mileage tests. For reference though, the pre-facelift Elevate CVT did 8.60kpl in the city and 13.10kpl on the highway while the Elevate MT managed 8.7kpl in the city and 13.30kpl out on the highway. The Elevate CVT misses out on an Eco drive mode and auto start/stop, which certainly affects its fuel efficiency.

Ride comfort and handling – 8/10

As before, the Honda Elevate continues to impress with its ride and handling balance. Despite being a tall riding SUV, it feels remarkably composed on the move. Suspension damping, though on the firmer side, is well judged and does a good job of ironing out road imperfections. It’s only when you’re travelling at triple digit speeds on an undulating highway is where you’ll notice quite a bit of vertical movement in the rear seat. But apart from that, the Elevate feels planted on the road. 

The steering is accurate and light at slow speeds, which helps with manoeuvrability, but it picks up weight progressively which is reassuring. Body roll is also well contained for a tall SUV and as such, it’s predictable around bends. As for the brakes, the CVT has gained rear discs but that hasn’t made a noticeable difference. Braking performance, like before, remains strong with a nice, progressive feel.

Value for money and verdict – 7/10

With this facelift, Honda has addressed some of the Elevate’s earlier shortcomings with some much-needed features and the updated look and feel inside the cabin. However, some drawbacks still remain like the lack of powertrain options and the below-par sound insulation. 

What the Elevate continues to get right, though, are the fundamentals. It continues to offer a comfortable and practical cabin, a responsive engine and a well-sorted ride and handling package. Add to that the design refresh and the fairly expansive features list, and the Elevate facelift feels more rounded than before. Priced from Rs 11.80 lakh to Rs 18.40 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s still very competitively priced, though the new top ZX+ variant is up there with the heavy hitters.

Ultimately, the Elevate remains a sensible, practical midsize SUV that continues to prioritise the essentials over outright novelty. As a result, the Elevate facelift represents a great option for buyers who value comfort, everyday usability, reliability and the peace of mind associated with the Honda badge.