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Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) produced by Honda since 2023. It was introduced in June 2023 in India. It is also marketed in Japan as the Honda WR-V which went on sale in 2024.[4]

According to Honda, the name Elevate is a backronym, which the name represents 'empowerment, liberation, exploration, versatility, aspiration, transformation and evolution'.[5]

Overview

The Elevate was unveiled in India on 6 June 2023.[6] Developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific in Thailand under the lead of Large Project Leader Munetsugu Kaneko,[7] the Elevate is built on the Global Small Car platform which also underpins the seventh-generation City. Its exterior dimensions are comparable to the Fit-based, global-oriented HR-V/Vezel. It is the only Honda SUV available in India at the time of its introduction, following the discontinuation of the first-generation WR-V.[8]

According to Honda, the boot space is rated at 458 L. Its ground clearance is claimed at 220 mm, and the turning radius is 5.2 m. It is also available with optional single-pane sunroof, and Honda Sensing, a advanced driver-assistance systems package.[9]

The Elevate is equipped with the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine shared with the City. Peak output for this engine is rated at 89 kW and 145 Nm of torque. This engine is also designed to run on E20 fuel.[9] Honda stated that the Elevate will be available as a battery electric vehicle "in the next three years".[7]

2025 update

The facelift was unveiled on 2 September 2025, the exterior features an 'Alpha-Bold Plus Grille' with nine vertical slats and a thick chrome surround, available as standard on the Signature Black Edition or optional on other trims. The top-spec ZX variant added an 'Ivory' interior theme with white leatherette seats and soft-touch materials, joining existing Tan and Black schemes. New features include an optional 360-degree camera and seven-color ambient lighting on ZX models, with black fabric upholstery replacing beige on V and VX trims.[10]

Markets

Japan

The vehicle was introduced in Japan on 16 November 2023 as the Honda WR-V.[11] Imported from India, the WR-V is marketed in three variants, namely X, Z, and Z+.[12] Honda Japan targets monthly sales of 3,000 units.[13] In April 2025, the Honda Elevate was crash tested by the Japanese NCAP and it scored a 5-star rating.[14]

South Africa

The Elevate was launched in South Africa on 23 February 2024, it is available in two trim levels: Comfort (manual) and Elegance (CVT).[15]

Brazil

The Honda WR-V was relaunched in Brazil on 16 October 2025 after a three-year hiatus. Locally assembled in Itirapina, it is offered in EX and EXL trim levels, both powered by a 1.5-litre DI i-VTEC petrol flex-fuel engine paired with a CVT.[16]

External links

References

  1. Honda Elevate to debut in Japan as the new Honda WR-V Team-BHP, retrieved 2023-11-25^
  2. Honda lança Novo WR-V 2026 com foco em espaço e conforto a partir de R$ 144.900 Motor1.com, retrieved 2025-10-17^
  3. JP, 1738112, S www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp, retrieved 2024-03-13^
  4. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/dafbafe8ae2a-japan-automakers-tap-foreign-models-to-drive-sales-of-outdoorsy-cars.html^
  5. Gerard Lye. 2023 Honda Elevate debuts in India – new B-segment SUV with 1.5L NA; 6MT or CVT; Honda Sensing suite Paul Tan, Driven Communications, 2023-06-06, retrieved 2023-06-07^
  6. https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/car-news/honda-new-crossover-report-a5100-20230503^
  7. Mayank Dhingra. Honda unveils new Elevate SUV in India, aims to attract mid-size SUV buyers Autocar Professional, 2023-06-06, retrieved 2023-07-23^
  8. Honda Elevate makes its global debut in India Autocar India, 2023-06-06, retrieved 2023-06-06^
  9. Honda Elevate Compact SUV Unveiled In India Ahead Of October Launch carandbike, retrieved 2023-06-06^
  10. Amulya Raj Srinet. 2025 Honda Elevate Updated With New Interior Theme, Grille NDTV Auto, 2025-09-02, retrieved 2025-09-07^
  11. Thanos Pappas. 2024 Honda WR-V Debuts In Japan As Brand's First Model Imported From India Carscoops, November 16, 2023^
  12. ホンダが新型コンパクトSUV「WR-V」をオフィシャルサイトで先行公開 【ニュース】 webCG, 2023-11-16, retrieved 2023-11-16^
  13. Ajit Dalvi. Honda exports nearly 7,000 Elevate SUVs to Japan Autocar India, retrieved 2024-03-14^
  14. Made-in-India Honda Elevate Achieves 5-Star Safety Rating in Japan NCAP Crash Tests CarTrust, 2025-04-17, retrieved 2025-04-23^
  15. Michael Taylor. Honda launches new entry-level Elevate SUV in South Africa – Pricing TopAuto, 2024-02-22, retrieved 2024-02-23^
  16. Honda lança Novo WR-V 2026 com foco em espaço e conforto a partir de R$ 144.900 Motor1.com, retrieved 2025-10-18^