Honda Cars India appears to be gearing up for the first major update to the Honda Elevate, as a heavily camouflaged test mule of the compact SUV has been spotted on public roads for the first time. Launched in India in 2023, the Elevate has remained largely unchanged since its debut, making this the first sighting of what is expected to be its mid-life facelift. Though most of the changes are hidden under camouflage, the updated Elevate is likely to get a few cosmetic tweaks and feature upgrades to stay fresh in the highly competitive compact SUV space. Most of the facelift updates remain hidden beneath heavy camouflage, although a handful of changes can already be identified. The spotted prototype carries a new LED tail lamp pattern, while the front section is expected to undergo a comprehensive makeover with a revised grille, refreshed headlamp units and an updated bumper design. It’ll also feature newly designed alloy wheels. At the rear, Honda is expected to redesign the tailgate and bumper, alongside updating the LED tail lamps. Additional exterior highlights could include a roof spoiler, shark-fin antenna and protective skid plates at both ends.
Moving inside, the Elevate facelift is expected to feature a new seat and cabin trim theme. The feature list could be expanded with equipment seen on the facelifted City, such as a 360-degree surround-view camera, ventilated front seats, a bigger infotainment display, a revised instrument panel and enhancements to the ADAS technology suite. Mechanically, Honda is expected to retain the existing 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine for the facelifted Elevate. Transmission options should continue to include a 6-speed manual gearbox and a CVT automatic. At present, there is no confirmation regarding the addition of a hybrid powertrain. Should Honda decide to introduce its strong-hybrid technology, it could significantly strengthen the Elevate’s appeal and place it in direct competition with hybrid offerings such as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.Image source: Motorbeam/Instagram
