The updated SUV now spans six trims priced between Rs 11.80 lakh and Rs 18.40 lakh, with the new range-topping ZX+ adding rear ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera.
Honda Cars India launched the facelifted Elevate on 6 October, broadening the SUV's line-up from four trims to six and introducing a new flagship variant, the ZX+, that brings features the model has never offered before. Ex-showroom prices run from Rs 11.80 lakh for the base SV to Rs 18.40 lakh for the top-spec ZX+ Black, with the automatic gearbox adding roughly Rs 1.5 lakh across most trims.
Unlike the exterior and cabin changes, the mechanicals carry over unchanged. Every variant continues with the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT automatic, and there is still no hybrid or turbo-petrol option — a gap that puts the Elevate at a disadvantage against the Maruti Grand Vitara, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and, more recently, the Maruti Victoris, all of which offer strong-hybrid powertrains in this segment.
The variant walk starts with the SV, offered only with a manual gearbox, which gets LED lighting, a part-digital instrument cluster, six airbags and rear parking sensors as standard. Moving to the V adds a wireless touchscreen and, crucially for automatic buyers, rear disc brakes and an electronic parking brake with auto hold — equipment previously reserved for higher trims. The VX introduces a sunroof, connected LED light bars and a wireless phone charger, while the ZX, long the Elevate's best-selling variant, brings Honda's full driver-assistance suite along with ventilated front seats and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen.
The real news sits at the top of the range. The new ZX+ adds powered front seats, rear ventilated seats — a first for the segment, according to Honda — along with a 360-degree camera and front parking sensors, features Honda had until now offered only as dealer-fitted accessories. A blacked-out ZX+ Black variant, with gloss-black alloy wheels and an all-black cabin, tops the range.
The update arrives at a difficult moment for the nameplate. Elevate wholesales fell to 1,326 units in August, down roughly a fifth year-on-year, as newer rivals such as the Victoris and the Tata Sierra have eaten into a compact SUV segment that remains the most fiercely contested in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Whether a richer features list, rather than a new engine, is enough to reverse that slide will become clear only once festive-season bookings are tallied.
