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ROAD REPORT: Honda Elevate - A Legacy Rises
ROAD REPORT: Honda Elevate - A Legacy Rises
Date: 2025-11-03
Honda's new Elevate is the brand's fresh face in the ever-growing compact SUV arena - and it's one that arrives with a quiet confidence. It's built on the same trustworthy DNA that made the Ballade a household name across South Africa, but with a stance that says it's ready to climb higher, literally and figuratively.
Under the bonnet lies Honda's proven 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, good for the kind of smooth, unflustered performance that makes daily driving feel effortless. It's no dragster, but it's eager, refined and, importantly, light on fuel - averaging around 6.5L/100 km. Whether you're dodging potholes in Durban traffic or chasing horizons up the Midlands, the Elevate makes it all feel easy.
Inside, Honda has done what Honda does best - practical comfort with a splash of tech. The cabin feels open and smartly designed, with soft-touch surfaces and a clean dash layout. The 8-inch infotainment system plays nicely with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keeping things connected without any fuss.
And while the Elevate's styling leans toward the understated, there's a rugged honesty to its design. It's not trying too hard; it simply looks ready for the road ahead.
Honda backs the Elevate with a 5-year/200,000 km warranty, a 4-year/60,000 km service plan, and 3 years of roadside assistance - proof that reliability still runs deep in the brand's veins.
In short, the Elevate feels like the modern Ballade's adventurous cousin - dependable, efficient, and quietly confident. It's a Honda through and through, and that's something South Africans have trusted for decades. Take a Honda Elevate for a drive with CMH Honda Umhlanga and experience this compact SUV. Call them on 031580 7900 for details.