Honda has addressed several of the Elevate’s most obvious equipment gaps with its first major update, but it has left the engine line-up untouched. The facelift starts at Rs 11.80 lakh and introduces a new ZX+ variant priced at Rs 16.80 lakh with the manual gearbox and Rs 18.30 lakh with the CVT.
The ZX+ gets powered front seats, ventilation for both front and rear seats, a factory-fitted 360-degree camera and front parking sensors. Rear-seat ventilation is an unusual feature in this segment. Honda has also added rear disc brakes and an electronic parking brake with auto hold on CVT versions, while higher trims get improved ADAS functionality.
What has not changed is the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. It continues to produce 121hp and 145Nm and is paired with either a 6-speed manual or CVT. Honda still does not offer the Elevate with the strong-hybrid system available in the City.
The previous Elevate was easy to understand mechanically but harder to defend on equipment at the top end. The facelift closes part of that gap.
The ZX now gets ventilated front seats and the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, while the ZX+ adds the powered front seats, rear ventilation and 360-degree camera. Honda has also moved ambient lighting from an accessory-type offering into the factory equipment list on higher versions.
Cabin refinement has been addressed too. Honda says it has added more sound-deadening material around the dashboard and wheel wells, responding to criticism about road and engine noise in the earlier car.
These are useful changes rather than cosmetic additions. The problem is that the competition has moved as well.What Rs 16-18 Lakh Buys Elsewhere
The Elevate ZX CVT costs Rs 16.89 lakh, while the ZX+ manual is Rs 16.80 lakh and the ZX+ CVT stretches to Rs 18.30 lakh.
At similar money, the Kia Seltos HTX sits around Rs 15.9 lakh, while the HTX(A), at about Rs 17 lakh, adds Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera and blind-view monitoring. Hyundai’s Creta range also offers well-equipped automatic and diesel variants in the Rs 16-18 lakh band, including versions with a panoramic sunroof and a wider engine choice.
The Grand Vitara is an even more important comparison because its strong-hybrid range enters this broad price zone. The Delta+ strong hybrid is priced around Rs 16.6 lakh and the Zeta+ around Rs 17.9 lakh. That gives a buyer the option of spending Elevate ZX or ZX+ money on a petrol-electric SUV with claimed efficiency close to 28kpl.
Toyota’s Hyryder offers the same basic strong-hybrid technology, while the Renault Duster adds another angle. Its 1.3-litre turbo-petrol produces 163hp and 280Nm, and its strong hybrid arrives on October 17.
The Elevate still has advantages. Its naturally aspirated engine is smooth, the CVT suits city use, cabin space is good, ground clearance is 220mm and the boot holds 458 litres. The facelift also makes the top versions much easier to recommend on features than before.
But the unchanged powertrain range is now the central weakness. Buyers spending Rs 17-18 lakh can choose turbo-petrol performance, diesel torque or strong-hybrid efficiency elsewhere.
Honda has therefore done enough to fix the Elevate’s equipment problem, but not enough to widen its mechanical appeal. The facelift is a better Elevate. What it still needs is a second powertrain that gives buyers a reason to choose it beyond simplicity and Honda’s proven 1.5-litre petrol engine.