Honda Elevate Long Term Report: Month 1 - A Friend Indeed

I am at a stage in life when a phone call from friends or family means one of two things - either an invitation to a major life event or news of someone’s passing. In such moments, what you need is quiet reliability. And that’s exactly what the Honda Elevate offered - not excellence, but presence.

The Elevate we have is the Signature Black Edition, a variant that looks purposeful but not particularly special. The ‘Black Edition’ emblem on the tailgate and ‘Signature Edition’ badge on the front fender feel like afterthoughts rather than neatly integrated touches. Still, the tall bonnet, massive grille, and sharply cut LED headlamps lend it a confident stance. Other drivers tend to make way without the need for aggressive honking or light flashing - always a welcome trait on Indian roads.

Inside, the spacious cabin proved to be one of the Elevate’s highlights. A recent long drive from Chandigarh to Delhi reaffirmed how roomy and comfortable it feels, with ample headroom and legroom for all passengers. The boot, too, is impressively accommodating - easily swallowing a large suitcase, three cabin bags, and two office backpacks.

The drive experience, however, leaves much to be desired. The 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine feels underpowered and, surprisingly for a Honda, quite noisy. You really have to wring it out to maintain expressway speeds, which gets tiring over time. The vague and notchy gearshifts only add to the frustration, especially in city traffic, where low-speed pickup feels lethargic and you’re constantly rowing through gears.

Ride comfort is acceptable on smooth stretches, but sharp bumps unsettle the rear, which tends to bounce about - not ideal for passengers with sensitive backs. The ADAS suite works well in most cases, offering gentle steering and braking assistance. But in tight city lanes, it can be overly sensitive - even a pedestrian’s sudden flinch can trigger an emergency stop.
The ‘rhythmic’ ambient lighting with seven selectable colours sounds interesting on paper, but the execution feels cheap. Brightness can’t be adjusted, and the control module is oddly positioned on the dashboard beside the steering column - another afterthought.

One curious observation: after a spell of rain, water pooled on the contoured bonnet and stayed put even at 100km/h. It’s worth keeping an eye out for, as standing water could cause rust over time.

In the end, the Elevate isn’t about flair or excitement. It’s about quiet dependability - a car that doesn’t excel in any one area but never lets you down either. Like a true friend, it’s there when you need it most, and now it’s heading into the next chapter with Shivank, who’s taking it on a road trip to the hills. Let’s see how the Elevate fares when the tarmac turns twisty.