Honda Elevate Hybrid Coming Soon: Launch Timeline Revealed
Japanese car manufacturer Honda has not been very active in the Indian market, and that has been reflected in their monthly sales too. They have not introduced a new product in the last couple of years. Although they did launch the City Sport recently, it is not enough to make much difference to their current state. It looks like Honda is finally trying to wake up from the slumber with a hybrid model. The Honda Elevate, which is currently the only compact SUV from Honda, is expected to get a hybrid powertrain.
As per the reports, Honda is expected to launch the hybrid version of the Elevate SUV in the second half of 2026. They are planning to launch the SUV during the festive season, as car sales generally go up during that time of the year. Honda launched the Elevate back in 2023.
At the time of the launch, they had mentioned that they didn’t have plans to launch a hybrid version of the SUV in the market, as their focus would be on EVs. It looks like Honda has now reconsidered that decision and is considering hybrid as an option. We expect minor cosmetic changes in the Elevate Hybrid when compared to the regular version.
Honda is currently selling the Amaze, City, and Elevate in the Indian market. The City, which already gets the e:HEV or the strong hybrid system, contributes to 12 percent of total City sales. As part of launching the Elevate Hybrid, Honda has already started preparations at their Tapukara plant in Alwar, Rajasthan. It is expected to be manufactured on a new line.
While Honda does have plans to introduce a BEV in the Indian market, they have noticed a rise in demand for hybrids despite limited options. The market share for hybrid cars in India has gone up from 1.1 percent in FY23 to 2.4 percent in FY25. There are several reasons, like efficiency, long driving range, and lower pollution, which contribute to the rising popularity of hybrids in India.
Honda had earlier announced that they are currently evaluating a greater level of localisation to make the hybrid system a lot more affordable. It remains to be seen if we will get this in the upcoming hybrid model or not. This would help them price the Elevate competitively when compared to rivals like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder.
The new hybrid system, which is currently under development, is expected to integrate lighter and more efficient components with simplified construction. Honda says it will feature a downsized and more energy-dense motor, a lighter battery, and a smarter transmission setup. All of this will not only make the system cheaper to build but is also expected to be more reliable and easier to maintain.
Currently, the City hybrid uses a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine that works along with an electric motor. The engine is mated to an e-CVT gearbox. This system works just like any other strong hybrid system, where the engine and the EV motor seamlessly switch between each other depending on the driving style to provide better efficiency. While we don’t have many details about the upcoming Elevate hybrid, we expect it to get a similar system.