Honda has launched their first CNG SUV in our country, the new Honda Elevate CNG. The Honda Elevate was launched in India in September 2023 as the only SUV option in Honda India’s line-up. Previously, Honda offered premium products such as the CR-V as a CKD, which was Honda’s last true crossover. The Elevate offers only one engine option, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol. In a mileage-conscious market like India, a CNG cylinder could boost sales and appeal to the market.. However, these are not available from the factory – they have to be installed at the dealership.
How Does This Work?
The customer first needs to purchase the Honda Elevate with the regular petrol engine and then contact a dealer to fit the dealer’s retro-fitted CNG kit. Only a few dealers are allowed to provide the government-approved CNG kit.
Moreover, the CNG option is only available on select variants of the Elevate, such as the SV, V, and VX variants. These are the variants that are not offered with ADAS hence, the CNG is not offered with the ZX variant. The main drawback to this will be the reduced boot space. The Honda Elevate is a segment leader when it comes to boot space, boasting a massive 458 litres of boot space that will be reduced with the addition of the CNG kit.
Powertrain & Mileage
The regular Honda Elevate comes with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which delivers 119 BHP and 145 Nm of torque. Without a CNG kit, this engine offers a claimed fuel efficiency of around 15 to 16.92 km/l. It’s often regarded as the best naturally aspirated engine in India, being ultra-reliable, powerful, rev-happy and fuel efficient. With CNG, mileage may increase substantially while sacrificing some performance.
Verdict
The Honda Elevate CNG will be a great option for a family-focused customer who wants a no-nonsense, comfortable and reliable vehicle that offers remarkable mileage and fuel efficiency.
