Honda Elevate Hybrid :- Honda Cars India is now preparing to launch its first hybrid SUV in India. This SUV will be none other than a new hybrid version of the existing mid-size SUV Honda Elevate, which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2026 (between July and December). This hybrid version can be introduced with the Honda Elevate facelift and the company plans to launch it in India around the festive season.
Preparations started at Tapukara plant
According to media reports, Honda Elevate Hybrid will be produced at the Tapukara manufacturing plant in Alwar, Rajasthan. The company has started production preparations for this SUV and a new production line is also being set up for it. This strategy shows that Honda is completely serious about this model and plans to sell it on a large scale.
Honda Elevate Hybrid
The exact powertrain of the Honda Elevate Hybrid has not been revealed yet, but it is believed that the same powertrain can be used in it which is given in the company’s popular Honda City e:HEV. This system comes with a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle petrol engine, which is mated to two electric motors – one works as a generator and the other as a drive motor.
Declining Sales, Hybrid Hopes
The Honda Elevate was launched in 2023 and initially performed well in terms of sales. However, just a few months later, its demand began to decline. Honda’s overall domestic sales have also been on a downward trend:
| Financial Year | Domestic Sales | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| FY23 | 91,418 units | 2.35% |
| FY24 | 86,584 units | 2.05% |
| FY25 | 65,925 units | 1.53% |
In this context, Honda is viewing the upcoming Elevate Hybrid as a revival model that could help the brand re-establish itself strongly in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment.
This hybrid system is mated to an e-CVT gearbox and is capable of giving a mileage of around 26.5 kmpl and a range of up to 1000 km. It is likely that a slightly modified version of this powertrain can be seen in the Elevate Hybrid, so that the needs of the SUV category can be met.
Honda Elevate Hybrid Price
The price of Honda Elevate Hybrid can be ₹ 2 lakh to ₹ 2.5 lakh more than its current petrol variants. Currently, the price of Honda Elevate starts from ₹ 11.91 lakh and goes up to ₹ 16.73 lakh (ex-showroom). In such a situation, the starting price of the Hybrid version can be around ₹ 14 lakh to ₹ 14.5 lakh and the top variants can go up to ₹ 18 lakh.
Honda City e:HEV is already available in the market and its sales contribute to around 12% of the total City sales. This clearly shows that customers trust Honda’s hybrid system and if this technology is introduced in an SUV format, it can become even more popular.
Hybrid Segment’s Rapid Growth
The hybrid vehicle segment in the Indian auto market has shown consistent and impressive growth. While hybrids held just a 1.1% market share in FY23, this figure rose to 2.4% by FY25.
| Financial Year | Hybrid Vehicle Sales | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| FY23 | 41,477 units | 1.1% |
| FY24 | 90,460 units | 2.1% |
| FY25 | 1,04,800 units | 2.4% |
This growth clearly indicates that Indian consumers are increasingly opting for cars with better mileage, lower emissions, and advanced technology. Honda aims to tap into this rising trend with the launch of the Elevate Hybrid.
Conclusion
The Honda Elevate Hybrid is a much-awaited model for Indian customers. While its hybrid technology will make it unique in the segment, its great mileage, silent performance and low CO₂ emissions will also make it an eco-friendly option.
The festive season launch is expected to further boost its market demand, especially for customers who want to move beyond petrol but want to avoid the charging hassles of EVs.