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Honda Elevate Hybrid Launch Could Turn Tides In India – Specs, & Mileage Expectations
The hybrid variants of models like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Invicto, and Toyota Innova Hycross have shown impressive month-on-month sales figures. This indicates the growing popularity of hybrid utility vehicles (UVs) in India.
In India's competitive compact SUV market, Hyundai Creta has long been a dominant player. However, the Kia Seltos has also achieved notable sales success. Overall, the South Korean brands have maintained a strong presence in this segment.
Hybrid Powertrain Success
The introduction of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Urban Cruiser has brought more competition to the segment. Their success is largely due to their optional hybrid powertrains, which offer excellent fuel efficiency without compromising performance.
Honda's entry into this segment with the Elevate SUV came later than its competitors. Despite this, the Honda Elevate has gained traction with its striking design, luxurious interior, and well-equipped top trim level.
Potential for Hybrid Integration
Although Honda's Elevate SUV has found some success, it still trails behind other Japanese models in terms of sales numbers. The addition of a hybrid powertrain could help bridge this gap. Given that both the 5th-gen Honda City and Elevate share the same platform, integrating the City e:HEV's hybrid system seems feasible.
The City e:HEV's hybrid system features a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine paired with two electric motors. One motor charges the battery pack while the other powers the vehicle, ensuring optimal engine efficiency most of the time.
The Honda City e:HEV's hybrid powertrain generates 126 hp and 253 Nm of peak torque. It operates most efficiently at around 2,000 rpm. Meanwhile, the standard Honda Elevate uses a similar 1.5-litre engine as the City sedan but produces slightly less power at 121 hp and 145 Nm of torque.
Fuel Efficiency Comparisons
This hybrid setup allows the Honda City e:HEV to achieve an impressive fuel efficiency of 27.26 km/l, enabling it to cover 1,000 km on a full tank. In contrast, the standard Honda City offers only 18.4 km/l (CVT).
The Honda Elevate offers a choice between a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT transmission with its current powertrain. Its fuel efficiency is slightly lower than that of the City, achieving just 15.31 km/l for manual and 16.92 km/l for automatic versions.
If equipped with a hybrid system similar to that in the City e:HEV, it's anticipated that the Honda Elevate Hybrid SUV could deliver over 25 km/l in mileage. In comparison, both Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder claim to offer around 27.97 km/l under ideal conditions. In real-world scenarios, these models are expected to provide mileage ranging from approximately 21 km/l to 23 km/l.
DriveSpark Thinks
With the launch of Honda Elevate Hybrid, we expect the model to significantly boost the sales of automaker in India, especially in Tier 1 cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata. That said, we are not sure why Honda is yet to move with this idea as it will require minimal changes to existing manufacturing setup.
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