Honda’s SUVs have established a significant presence in the South African market since the introduction of the flagship CR-V in 1997 and the HR-V in 1999. These models have garnered a substantial following due to their robust performance and innovative features.
However, it took Honda some time to break into the entry-level subcompact SUV segment in the local market to compete with the likes of the Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Seltos, VW T-Cross, Hyundai Creta, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and Haval Jolion, to name a few. T
he pricing strategy for the CR-V and HR-V has positioned these models as premium offerings, limiting their appeal to a mass-market audience, not to mention the price tag of the latest CR-V. Sure, Honda introduced the BR-V to its lineup in 2016 to offset this, and despite its SUV-like aesthetics, the BR-V is fundamentally an MPV, a fact that distinguishes it from conventional SUVs.
Even the current iteration of the BR-V, despite its SUV-like appearance, remains an MPV at its core. Honda has been surprisingly absent from this segment and missed out on a considerable piece of the action. That said, the Japanese manufacturer made a strategic move this year with the introduction of the Elevate compact family SUV.
At first glance, the Elevate, particularly in its range-topping Elegance variation, features quite a pleasing design that still follows the brand’s latest design language, characterised by an imposing front grille adorned with a chrome strip, slimmer LED headlights with distinctive daytime running lights, LED fog lights, and stylish LED rear lights. Throw in a set of 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels into the mix, and the Elevate cuts a pleasing figure that most people will find visually appealing.
Upon initial visual assessment, one might perceive the Honda Elevate as a smaller vehicle. It measures 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width, and 1,650 mm in height, which is a margin smaller than the Chery Tiggo 4 and Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The interior of the Elevate offers a delightful surprise. For the most part, everything inside exudes quality, with comfortable front and rear seats that are on par with, if not better than, most rivals in the segment, despite some materials and plastics feeling stingy. A floating 8-inch touchscreen entertainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch TFT multi-information display, two USB ports up front, and a wireless charger round out the basic and uncluttered interior configuration.
There is just enough storage in the boot (458 litres) for sizable bags for those weekend trips.
The lack of cruise control is one aspect of the Honda Elevate that some may consider a drawback. Given the advancements in automotive technology and the growing popularity of this feature in modern vehicles, it is fair to expect cruise control to be a standard offering, especially for those who often undertake long-distance travel.
When it comes to driving, things start to take a more disappointing turn. For starters, the Elevate is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that is shared among other Honda products. It channels 89kW and 145Nm to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
Long-time readers of TGSA should know very well our collective disdain for Honda’s CVT transmissions fitted to low-torque engines, and the one fitted in the Elevate is no exception, particularly at reef altitude. Under hard acceleration and when immediate power delivery is required, the engine groans in typical CVT fashion. This behaviour, unfortunately, has a huge impact on the fuel consumption of the car.
Furthermore, the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters don’t do anything to compensate for the whiny behaviour. On a side note, the Comfort model comes equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. When evaluating the Honda Elevate’s on-road performance, it’s important to consider its unique driving attributes. That said, its setup is designed for a gradual increase in acceleration rather than rapid acceleration—an approach to performance that may require an adjustment in driving style.
On the plus side, the Elevate demonstrates commendable ride comfort, even on poorly maintained roads.
During our week-long evaluation, the vehicle maintained an average fuel consumption rate of 7.7l/100km. It’s worth noting that these figures showed a slight increase during city driving, a common attribute associated with CVTs due to stop-and-go traffic situations.
The Elevate, for the most part, is a decent compact family SUV that strikes the necessary chords. With a competitive price tag of R430,800, it’s a good crack from Honda and joins the segment with impressive features that compact SUV buyers may find appealing. However, it’s worth noting that the absence of cruise control might be perceived as a drawback by some potential buyers, particularly those who value this feature for long-distance travel.
Also, the presence of a CVT may not appeal to all.
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