Honda Elevate vs Renault Captur [2017-2019]

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

Renault started the compact SUV segment with the Duster and it was a huge hit thanks to the butch yet compact styling. With no rivals in the compact SUV space, the Duster had it easy until the Hyundai Creta came along and changed the game. Although the Creta didn’t feel or looked as rugged as the Renault, the Korean car felt much more premium and it ate into the Duster’s sales despite costing a lot more. Now though the French manufacturer is back and is about to launch the Captur, which is essentially a more premium, feature laden and stylish version of the Duster aimed straight at the hot selling Creta. Although it is based on the same MO platform as the Duster, the Captur has no design similarities to the Duster whatsoever and it doesn’t carry over a single body panel too.

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.