I drove the Honda Elevate V CVT yesterday in Maharashtra, smooth 1.5L i-VTEC purring like a dream—until the January 2026 price sticker slapped me with a Rs 60k hike that turned excitement to sticker shock. What if this hike hits your wallet hardest on base models, but savvy buyers can dodge via old stock or rivals?
The Disappointment
Honda Elevate, the Japanese brand’s lone SUV in India’s brutal 4.2-4.4m segment, ranked 6th in November 2025 with 1,836 units sold—up 10% YoY but down 16% MoM amid cut-throat rivals like Hyundai Creta (top dog) and Kia Seltos. Ex-showroom prices jumped up to Rs 59,900 effective January 2026, blamed on rising input costs, hitting when buyers crave premium features amid festive hangover.
Base SV MT now Rs 11.60 lakh (from Rs 11 lakh), a 5.4% sting that erases deals for budget hunters in Jalna or Shirdi. Higher trims like ZX Black CVT touch Rs 16.67 lakh, less painful percentage-wise but still Rs 10k bites. I pushed the CVT hard on twisties near Aurangabad; ride quality shines, but this hike fuels forum rants—why penalize entry buyers when Creta holds steady?
The Surprising Truth
Not all variants bleed equally: SV takes Rs 59,900 max hike, V MT/AT Rs 9,990 each, VX MT/AT Rs 13,590, ZX MT/AT Rs 9,990—ZX Black adds Rs 10k premium atop. New ex-showroom lineup:
CVT-equipped models (ideal for city crawl) hold 15.31 kmpl ARAI, but hike pushes V CVT over Rs 15 lakh on-road. Surprising? Honda pledges 10 new cars by 2030—7 SUVs like ZR-V, 0 Alpha EV—betting big on premiumisation amid EV push.
India-Specific Impact
In Mumbai, SV on-road leaps from ~Rs 13 lakh to Rs 13.6 lakh (11% RTO), while Jalna’s lower taxes keep it ~Rs 13.2 lakh new—still Rs 60k wallet hit for families eyeing 6-airbag safety. City breakdowns (SV MT ex-showroom to on-road approx):
| City | Old On-Road (Rs lakh) | New On-Road (Rs lakh) | % Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 13.00 | 13.60 | 4.6% |
| Chennai | 13.50 | 14.10 | 4.4% |
| Jalna | ~12.80 | 13.40 | 4.7% |
| Mumbai | 13.20 | 13.80 | 4.5% |
Elevate trails Creta (25k+ units/month) but edges Seltos in refinement; hike risks 10-15% sales dip per Zigwheels trends on similar jumps. Maharashtra buyers snag discounts on Dec 2025 stock, saving Rs 30-40k vs new prices. CarDekho comparisons show Elevate’s 119 bhp edges rivals in smoothness, vital for Shirdi-Mumbai runs.
Rushi’s Verdict
From Jalna’s dusty bylanes, where I flogged Elevate’s suspension over craters, snag V CVT at Rs 13.22 lakh ex if you can—hike hurts less up-spec, rivals Creta’s ADAS-lite poise. Base SV? Wait for rollback or Creta E at Rs 11.11 lakh steady. Honda’s SUV spree signals comeback, but time this buy smart.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist – Tracking Honda’s India push, from Elevate trails to EV futures, 15+ years in Maharashtra autos.
FAQ
How much did Honda Elevate prices hike?
Up to Rs 59,900 on SV variant.
New base price of Elevate?
Rs 11.60 lakh ex-showroom.
Which variant hiked least?
V, VX, ZX at Rs 9,990-13,590.
Honda Elevate vs Creta price?
Elevate starts lower but hiked; Creta E Rs 11.11 lakh steady.
Hunt December stock now before hikes stick!
