Honda is on a roll in the Indian market. After making a splash with the ZR-V, the Japanese carmaker is now gearing up to roll out an updated Elevate and its first all-electric SUV, signalling one of the most aggressive product pushes Honda has attempted in India in years.
The ZR-V Sets The Tone
The Honda ZR-V was unveiled in Delhi in May 2026 alongside the City facelift, and it officially went on sale in July 2026. Positioned as Honda’s new flagship SUV in India, the ZR-V arrives as a CBU (Completely Built-Up) import, which lets Honda bring in a fully loaded, globally-proven product without the cost of local development.
Under the hood, the ZR-V uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a dual-motor strong-hybrid setup, and reports peg its output at 184bhp and 315Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through an e-CVT. On the feature front, buyers get a freestanding infotainment display, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, wireless charging, and a full ADAS safety suite. Pricing for the SUV has been reported in the Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh bracket, placing it against premium rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq.
The ZR-V’s rounded, crossover-like design also marks a shift from the boxier styling of the Elevate, giving Honda two visually distinct SUVs to sell alongside each other.
Elevate Facelift Is Next In Line
With the ZR-V now covering the premium end of the lineup, Honda’s attention turns to the Elevate, which has been due for a mid-cycle refresh since its original launch back in 2023. Test mules have already been spotted wearing heavy camouflage around the front and rear, hinting at revised bumpers, a reworked grille, and updated lighting elements.
Inside, the bigger story is expected to be around features rather than styling. The current Elevate has fallen behind segment rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in terms of cabin tech, so the facelift is expected to close that gap. Reports suggest the mid and top variants could gain ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, a larger touchscreen with updated software, a digital driver’s display, and an expanded ADAS suite. Essentially, Honda appears to be borrowing much of the feature list already confirmed for the City facelift and applying it to the Elevate.
Honda’s First EV For India Is Coming Too
Perhaps the most significant move in Honda’s roadmap is its upcoming electric SUV, expected to be based on the global 0 Series architecture and referred to in reports as the 0 Alpha. Test mules have already shown a large in-cabin screen, a redesigned digital interior, and boxy proportions quite different from Honda’s existing SUVs.
This EV is expected to arrive in India around 2027 and will be positioned to take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta EV, marking Honda’s first serious attempt at the fast-growing electric SUV segment in the country. Some reports also mention a separate, more affordable Elevate EV, suggesting Honda could attack the EV space from more than one price point.
Why This Matters For Indian Buyers
Taken together, the ZR-V, the Elevate facelift, and the upcoming EV reflect a bigger strategy shift at Honda. The company has reportedly committed to launching around 10 new models in India by 2030, with a strong focus on SUVs and electrified powertrains. For Indian customers, that means more choice across body styles, price points, and powertrain options than Honda has offered in a very long time and a clear signal that the brand isn’t willing to sit out the SUV and EV boom any longer.
If Honda executes this roadmap well, it could meaningfully improve its standing in a market currently dominated by Hyundai, Kia, and Maruti Suzuki’s SUV lineups.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.