The 1.5-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC makes 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm. It is naturally aspirated, meaning power builds as the revs climb rather than arriving in a surge from low rpm.

For city driving this works entirely in the car's favour. The throttle response is linear and predictable, the CVT keeps the engine in its useful power band without drama, and the whole package is easier to manage in traffic.

On highway, press the accelerator past 80 kmph for an overtake and the CVT holds the revs high while the speed builds. The cabin gets louder, the engine sounds strained, and the overtake takes longer than it would in a turbo-petrol.

At steady cruise speeds between 80 and 100 kmph with the AC running, the engine settles, the cabin quietens down, and the car feels relaxed and planted. Wind noise enters the cabin from around 100 kmph and road noise is present but not intrusive.

The CVT in city traffic is one of the better transmission experiences available in this segment at this price. There is no hunting, no lurching, and no jerkiness at low speeds.

ARAI rates the ZX CVT at 16.92 kmpl. In dense city traffic with AC, owners consistently report 10 to 12 kmpl on actual fuel consumption. The MID tends to display 1 to 2 kmpl higher than the tank-to-tank calculation confirms.

The naturally aspirated engine is less punishing of aggressive throttle use than a turbo-petrol, so economy does not collapse if you drive with enthusiasm.

You can also check out the upcoming flex fuel cars if alternative fuels interest you.

First of all excuse the plastic wrapping on seats, the car was fresh off the lot and was already booked by someone else.

The only three words that can sum up the Elevate's interior are spacious, simple, and black. Unlike the toyish decor that has started gracing Tata and Mahindra SUVs lately (more on that later), that is thankfully absent in the Elevate. 

The interior feels wide, solid, and built with a driver first approach. The clear, easy to read gauge cluster and physical buttons for critical functions like the AC are exactly what I expect from a Honda product, and they deliver.

The dashboard, door cards, headliner, and leatherette seats are all finished in matching dark tones. The result is a cabin that feels more premium and more cohesive than the standard dual tone interior. It is a good looking space, and the single pane sunroof stops it from feeling too dark.

Many buyers also look for cars with built-in air purifiers for a cleaner cabin environment.

Space itself is the Elevate's biggest strength. Rear legroom is genuinely class leading, and two tall adults can sit in the back without compromise. Headroom, both front and rear, is equally generous thanks to the SUV's upright shape.

The seats are well padded with good lateral support and remain comfortable over long drives without causing the lower back fatigue that some rivals do.

The front armrest is there but fails at what it's supposed to do. It is non adjustable, positioned too low, and too narrow to be genuinely comfortable on long highway drives, especially for larger drivers.

The 10.25 inch touchscreen is responsive with virtually no noticeable lag. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work well, although I did hear from a couple of Elevate owners at the dealership that they occasionally disconnect for a few seconds.

My bigger issue is the buttons below the display. They feel weirdly slim, flimsy, and offer almost no reassuring tactile feedback.

They simply don't feel as well engineered as the rest of the cabin.

An eight speaker sound system and ambient lighting round off the highlights of the top spec infotainment package.

Now I'll contradict myself from what I said at the beginning of this section. The simplicity of the Honda Elevate only appeals to someone actively looking for it, not someone born in or anywhere near the Gen Z era. 

Buyers today have grown up with smartphones, giant touchscreens, connected tech, and feature packed products. SUVs like the Nexon, XUV 7XO, Creta, Seltos, and Sierra offer exactly that, and it is one of the biggest reasons behind their strong sales numbers.

Compared to them the Elevate simply feels under equipped. There is no panoramic sunroof  (only a singlepane), no ventilated seats, no fancy UI, and not even something as simple and, in my opinion, mandatory as a USB Type C port.

Indians do care about making an impression. Half the cars sold here are bought as much for the features as they are for the badge.

Sadly, no matter how good the Elevate's engine and driving manners are, the rest of the package simply doesn't keep up with what buyers now expect in this segment.

The all black finish was the main reason I did not hesitate when Honda invited me to shoot the Elevate Black Edition. On paper, it looked like the closest thing to a Japanese Batmobile in this segment. But the moment I saw it in person, one question immediately came to mind.

Why add a thick strip of chrome across the front of an otherwise blacked out SUV? If you are committing to an all black theme, it should be exactly that. The bright chrome feels unnecessary and slightly undermines what is otherwise a striking design.

That aside, Crystal Black Pearl is easily the best colour for the Elevate. It complements the SUV's upright stance, flat bonnet, and clean proportions far better than any of the lighter shades in the regular lineup. The darker paint also highlights the sharp body lines and gives the Elevate a more premium, purposeful road presence.

You can also check out all the exciting dark/black edition cars currently on sale.

Up front, the chrome strip on the upper grille is the only major interruption to the black theme. Everything else, including the lower grille, bumper inserts, skid plate, and air intake surrounds, is finished in dark shades, giving the nose a clean and aggressive look.

The 17-inch dual-tone diamond cut alloy wheels with black inserts suit the Elevate's proportions well and fill the wheel arches nicely. However, the silver roof rails and silver door lower garnish feel out of place on a special edition that is otherwise built around a stealthy appearance. A black finish for these elements would have completed the look.

At the rear, the Elevate keeps things simple with sleek LED tail lamps connected by a clean, uncluttered tailgate. There are no oversized spoilers or unnecessary styling elements, allowing the design to remain elegant. The subtle Black Edition badge on the left side of the tailgate is tastefully done and avoids drawing too much attention.

Viewed from the side, the thick C pillar, large glasshouse, and upright profile give the Elevate a strong SUV stance that looks particularly good in black. It is a design that photographs exceptionally well. My only other complaint is the unpainted plastic sections on the lower front bumper.

They stand out more than they should and feel like a cost saving measure rather than a deliberate design choice. Even so, the Elevate Black Edition remains one of the best looking black themed SUVs in its segment.

6 airbags are standard across the entire Elevate lineup from the base SV. The ZX Black Edition does not have more airbags than the variant below it, but it carries the Honda Sensing ADAS suite that is exclusive to the ZX.

The braking setup is front disc and rear drum, with a progressive pedal that is easy to modulate. Emergency braking under Honda Sensing is flagged by some owners as slightly over-sensitive in dense city traffic, triggering on slow-moving vehicles ahead before the driver would naturally intervene.

The Elevate has a 5-star rating from Japan NCAP. It has not been submitted for Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP testing.

If a Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP rating is important to you, check out our guide to all the 4 to 5-star rated cars currently on sale.

The Elevate Black Edition sits in one of the most competitive SUV segments in India, going up against the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and Maruti Victoris.

Against the Seltos, the Elevate trades a longer feature list for a larger boot, more rear seat space, and a smoother naturally aspirated CVT driving experience. The Seltos offers premium features such as ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof, while the Elevate counters with its 458-litre boot and Honda Sensing ADAS.

The Creta is arguably the tougher rival. Its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is significantly more powerful and feels much quicker during overtakes, while it also offers features like a panoramic sunroof. 

The Elevate fights back with a roomier rear cabin, a noticeably larger boot, and Honda's reputation for a dependable, hassle-free ownership experience.

Compared to the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, the Elevate gives up the sharp handling and engaging driving dynamics that the German twins are known for. In return, it offers a more comfortable ride, a roomier cabin, and a bigger boot, making it the easier SUV to live with if you regularly travel with five adults.

The Maruti Victoris is another close alternative. It edges ahead with stronger safety credentials and the option of a highly efficient hybrid powertrain. The Elevate, however, counters with a more solid-feeling cabin, better rear seat comfort, and one of the largest boots in the segment.

The Honda Elevate Black Edition perfectly sums up what Honda as a brand stands for. It doesn't try to wow you with massive screens, flashy ambient lighting, or a brochure full of features you'll rarely use. 

Instead, it focuses on the fundamentals that matter once the novelty wears off: a refined engine, excellent visibility, genuinely class-leading rear seat space, a huge boot, comfortable seats, and the kind of solid build quality that inspires confidence over years of ownership.

For me, the Black Edition is easily the best-looking version of the Elevate. The all-black treatment suits its upright proportions and gives it a far stronger road presence than the standard colours.

I just wish Honda had committed fully by ditching the chrome trim and adding a few missing features that buyers now consider essential.

The Honda Elevate is not an SUV you buy because it has the longest feature list. You buy it because you want something dependable, spacious, comfortable, and unlikely to give you headaches five or ten years down the line. 

If your priorities are reliability, low running costs, a roomy cabin, excellent visibility, and a stress-free ownership experience, the Elevate deserves to be high on your shortlist.

However, if features are what excite you, I would seriously consider looking elsewhere. Rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and the latest SUVs from Tata and Mahindra simply offer more technology, more convenience features, and a cabin that feels more in tune with what today's buyers expect.

Personally, I would recommend stretching your budget for the CVT if most of your driving is in the city. It perfectly complements the smooth, naturally aspirated engine and makes the Elevate one of the easiest SUVs to drive in traffic.

Whichever variant you choose, don't accept the first quote from your dealer. Honda has traditionally offered generous discounts and accessory packages on the Elevate, so shopping around between dealerships can save you a substantial amount of money.