Honda Elevate vs Ford Endeavour [2009-2014]

We spent time with the Honda Elevate to see if it is a case of 'better late than never' or 'too little, too late'.

Automobile manufacturers in India have been quite intrigued by the way people have started changing their view about the SUV segment in India. The SUV segment has suddenly grown and the people in the country are not only taking their beloved cars to their respective offices but they also enjoy taking the car with their family to the beach or an off-road excursion into the forests. Ford, which has been known for its R&D capabilities, have found out the large untapped potential of this segment in India and already have the 3.0 L 4x4 Automatic (AT) and the 2.5 L 4x2 Manual Transmission (MT) version of the SUV in the Indian car market. With this lifestyle where too many people don’t need the SUV for real off-road use, Ford India have completed this equation and unveiled the 3.0 L engine in the Rear wheel drive (4x2) on the 14th of September 2010. Naturally, the Endeavour caters to a niche crowd and as Ford said that majority of them are entrepreneurs, actors or politicians. Ford said that the 4x4 version of the car is not only an urban car but a great off-roader and the 4x2 on the other hand would be a great urban car for all those who wanted a powerful engine and that extra oomph! factor while driving within city limits. We got a chance to drive this beast and we tell you exactly how the car is.

Honda has finally stepped into the fierce mid-size SUV segment with the Elevate. And the Japanese carmaker aims to change its fortunes in the country with it. The Elevate SUV has been developed and engineered from the ground up in India with more focus on the domestic market. So what is Honda bringing to the table where Korean giants like Hyundai and Kia are leading the pack? Let’s find out.