The Honda Elevate has been Honda's solo compact SUV bet since 2023. Now, two years in, a first facelift looks to be on the cards. But here's the catch: even as the City sedan gets a hybrid, the Elevate refresh is still expected to skip it. If you're weighing this SUV against a Creta or a Grand Vitara, that's the real question.
What's confirmed vs what's only expected
Let's be clear on what we actually know. Nothing is official yet. Honda has not confirmed the facelift, its features, or a date. What's out there points to cosmetic tweaks outside and a feature-led update inside. Everything below is expected, not confirmed. So treat the design and features as strong hints, not promises.
Launch date: when can you book the updated Elevate?
Honda hasn't announced a launch date for the Elevate facelift. The update is expected in the coming two to three months, but that's a guess, not a fixed window. So there's no booking date to plan around right now. If you need an SUV today, the current Elevate is fully on sale. If you can wait a couple of months, it may be worth watching for the refreshed model.
Design: New grille, sleeker LEDs and fresh alloys likely
The boxy, upright stance is expected to stay. Up front, the Elevate could get a redesigned grille, possibly a honeycomb pattern like the new City. Sleeker LED lights and reworked bumpers are also on the cards. New alloy wheel designs and fresh paint colours may join in. So expect a smarter face, not a full redesign.
Elevate
SUVInterior: Bigger screen and new features, but ventilated seats?
This is where most of the action is expected. The current ZX already gets a 10.25-inch (26.03 cm) HD touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The facelift could bring an even larger screen plus a 7-inch driver display (a digital instrument cluster). Extras like wireless charging, powered and ventilated seats, and an electric tailgate are being talked about. But none of that is confirmed, so don't bank on ventilated seats just yet.
Powertrain: Same 119 bhp petrol, still no hybrid
Under the bonnet, expect no change. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol makes 119 bhp @ 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm (pulling power) @ 4,300 rpm. It's paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT (automatic). Mileage stays at 15.31–16.92 kmpl (ARAI, the government test that runs higher than real driving). And here's the miss: even with a facelift, there's no sign of the city's hybrid. Rivals like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder offer a strong hybrid e-CVT at similar money and much better city mileage. If frugal running is your top need, that gap still hurts.
Expected price: About ₹40,000–50,000 more expensive
The current Elevate runs from ₹11.64 lakh (SV manual) to ₹16.67 lakh (ex-showroom). The facelift is expected to cost around ₹40,000–50,000 more, thanks to the added kit. Remember, the on-road price adds road tax, registration, and insurance and varies by state. So the base could nudge past ₹12 lakh ex-showroom after the update. Whether that's worth it depends on how many of the new features land on lower trims.
Hyundai Creta
SUVRivals: How it stacks up against Creta, Seltos and Duster
The Hyundai Creta stays the benchmark. Its 1.5 turbo-petrol makes 160 bhp and offers Level 2 ADAS (safety tech that can brake and steer for you) across more variants. On the Elevate, full Honda SENSING ADAS lands only on the ₹15.02 lakh and up ZX. That's a gap the facelift needs to close. Newer names like the Renault Duster, Kia Seltos, and Tata Sierra crowd the segment too. From our own catalogue, the Elevate's real edge is its class-leading 458-liter boot and 220 mm ground clearance, plus 6 airbags standard and a 5-star Global NCAP body. So it's the safe, spacious, no-drama pick, if not the most exciting.
References: Honda India — official website
