2026 Honda Elevate Facelift vs Rivals: Price, Features and Specs Compared

Ever wondered if the Honda Elevate facelift can finally match the feature-packed SUVs in its segment? Honda has now given it a much-needed update for 2026.

Honda India officially launched Elevate facelift on 6 October 2026, with the starting ex-showroom price of Rs. 11.80 Lakh. It gets revised styling, more cabin features, a 360-degree camera, ventilated rear seats and powered front seats. However, Honda has retained the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 6-speed manual and CVT options.

But the mid-size SUV segment has several strong options already. So, how does the 2026 Honda Elevate compare with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Victoris, Skoda Kushaq and Maruti Grand Vitara? Let's find out.

Before comparing it with its rivals, here are the top 5 things to know about the Honda Elevate facelift.

2026 Honda Elevate Facelift vs Rivals: A Quick Comparison

The Elevate has always had a different approach from some of its rivals. Instead of offering several engines, Honda sticks to a single naturally aspirated petrol engine. The facelift keeps this setup but adds features that were missing from the outgoing model.

Its rivals, meanwhile, bring more variety. The Creta and Seltos offer multiple engine choices, while the Victoris and Grand Vitara bring hybrid and CNG options. The Kushaq takes a different route with turbo-petrol engines and a stronger focus on driving performance.

Here’s all what you need to know, in a nutshell:

SUV	Starting Price*	Engine Options	Transmission	Key USP
Honda Elevate	Rs. 11.80 lakh	1.5L petrol	6MT/CVT	New comfort & convenience features
Hyundai Creta	Rs. 10.91 lakh	Petrol/Diesel	MT/AT	Feature-rich package
Kia Seltos	Rs. 11.00 lakh	Petrol/Diesel/Turbo	MT/AT	Powertrain variety
Maruti Victoris	Rs. 10.50 lakh	Petrol/CNG/Hybrid	MT/AT	Hybrid, CNG and AWD
Skoda Kushaq	Rs. 10.69 lakh	1.0T/1.5T	MT/AT/DSG	Turbo performance
Maruti Grand Vitara	Rs. 10.77 Lakh	Petrol/CNG/Hybrid	MT/AT	Strong-hybrid efficiency

*These starting prices are ex-showroom.

Now as we’ve looked at a lighter comparison, now let’s in a bit detailed one. We’ll do an individual 2026 Honda Elevate Facelift vs rivals comparison and see which one has got better.

1. Honda Elevate Facelift 2026 vs Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is one of the first SUVs that comes to mind when talking about the Elevate. It has a strong presence in the segment and gives buyers plenty of choices across engines, transmissions and features. The Elevate facelift now tries to close some of the equipment gap with its new features.

Hyundai fixes Creta starting price at Rs. 10.91 lakh and offers 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. Its transmission choices include manual, IVT, automatic and 7-speed DCT options. The turbo-petrol engine makes 160 PS, giving it a clear performance advantage over the Elevate's 121 PS naturally aspirated unit.

Aspect	2026 Honda Elevate Facelift	Hyundai Creta
Price Range	Rs. 11.80 Lakh - Rs. 18.40 Lakh	Rs. 10.91 Lakh - Rs. 20.46 Lakh
Engine Options	1.5L NA Petrol	1.5L Petrol, 1.5L Diesel, 1.5L Turbo Petrol
Max Power	121 PS	160 PS
Max Torque	145 Nm	Up to 253 Nm
Transmission	6MT/CVT	MT/IVT/AT/DCT
ADAS	Level 2	Level 2
Key Feature	360° camera, ventilated rear seats	Panoramic sunroof, connected features
Fuel Choices	Petrol	Petrol/Diesel

The Creta clearly wins on powertrain variety, while the Elevate offers a simpler setup. Interestingly, Honda has addressed several feature gaps with this facelift, making the comparison much closer than before.

2. Honda Elevate Facelift 2026 vs Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is another natural rival because it combines a broad engine range with a long list of technology and comfort features. The latest Seltos starts at Rs. 11.00 lakh and stretches to Rs. 21.82 lakh, giving buyers a wide choice of variants.

The Elevate takes a simpler route with one petrol engine and two gearbox choices. Seltos buyers get more flexibility, including different engine and automatic options. The Kia also brings features such as a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and several premium cabin technologies on higher variants.

Aspect	2026 Honda Elevate Facelift	Kia Seltos
Price Range	Rs. 11.80 Lakh - Rs. 18.40 Lakh	Rs. 11.00 Lakh - Rs. 21.82 Lakh
Engine Options	1.5L NA Petrol	Multiple Petrol/Diesel Options
Max Power	121 PS	Up to 160 PS
Max Torque	145 Nm	Up to 253 Nm
Transmission	6MT/CVT	MT/AT/IVT/DCT
Sunroof	Single Pane	Dual Pane Panoramic
ADAS	Level 2	Available
Key Feature	Ventilated front and rear seats	Panoramic sunroof and premium tech

If performance and powertrain choice matter, the Seltos makes a stronger case. The Elevate, however, offers a straightforward petrol setup and now gets several features that buyers had been asking Honda to add.

3. Honda Elevate Facelift 2026 vs Maruti Victoris

The Maruti Victoris makes this ‘Honda Elevate Facelift vs Rivals’ competition interesting because it does not rely on just one type of powertrain. As for most Maruti Cars, it offers petrol, CNG and strong-hybrid options, along with an AWD option. That makes it a strong alternative for buyers who prioritise efficiency or want more flexibility.

The Elevate, on the other hand, sticks to its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. This makes the Victoris more versatile on paper, while the Honda focuses on a familiar petrol and CVT combination.

Aspect	2026 Honda Elevate Facelift	Maruti Victoris
Price Range	Rs. 11.80 Lakh - Rs. 18.40 Lakh	Rs. 10.50 Lakh - Rs. 19.99 Lakh
Engine Options	1.5L NA Petrol	Petrol/CNG/Strong Hybrid
Transmission	6MT/CVT	MT/AT/AMT/e-CVT
Hybrid	No	Yes
CNG	No	Yes
AWD	No	Yes
ADAS	Level 2	Level 2
Key Strength	Simple petrol powertrain	Powertrain variety

Here’s the catch. The Elevate's simpler setup may actually appeal to buyers who do not want to choose between multiple powertrains. But if fuel efficiency, CNG or AWD are high on the list, Victoris has more to offer.

4. Honda Elevate Facelift 2026 vs Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq is a different kind of rival. While the Elevate focuses on a naturally aspirated petrol engine, Kushaq uses turbo-petrol engines to deliver stronger torque and quicker performance.

The updated Skoda car starts at Rs. 10.69 lakh and gets 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. The 1.0-litre engine produces 115 PS and 178 Nm, while the 1.5-litre unit makes 150 PS and 250 Nm. The latter is paired with a 7-speed DSG.

Aspect	2026 Honda Elevate Facelift	Skoda Kushaq
Price Range	Rs. 11.80 Lakh - Rs. 18.40 Lakh	Rs. 10.69 Lakh - Rs. 18.99 Lakh
Engine Options	1.5L NA Petrol	1.0L/1.5L Turbo Petrol
Max Power	121 PS	150 PS
Max Torque	145 Nm	250 Nm
Transmission	6MT/CVT	6MT/8AT/7DCT
Driving Focus	Smooth and linear	Stronger turbo performance
Key Feature	360° camera	Panoramic sunroof, rear seat massage
Safety	Level 2 ADAS	5-star Global NCAP rating

The Kushaq is the obvious choice for buyers who enjoy stronger acceleration and turbo-petrol performance. The Elevate makes more sense if you prefer a naturally aspirated engine with a CVT option and Honda's familiar driving character.

5. Honda Elevate Facelift 2026 vs Maruti Grand Vitara

The Grand Vitara brings another important factor into the discussion: fuel efficiency. It is available with petrol, CNG and strong-hybrid powertrains, making it one of the more flexible choices for buyers who spend a lot of time driving.

The Elevate does not offer a hybrid or CNG version. Instead, Honda has focused its facelift on improving the equipment package. This includes a 360-degree camera, ventilated front and rear seats and powered front seats.

Aspect	2026 Honda Elevate Facelift	Maruti Grand Vitara
Price Range	Rs. 11.80 Lakh - Rs. 18.40 Lakh	Rs. 10.77 Lakh - Rs. 19.77 Lakh
Engine Options	1.5L NA Petrol	Petrol/CNG/Strong Hybrid
Transmission	6MT/CVT	MT/AT/e-CVT
Hybrid	No	Yes
CNG	No	Yes
AWD	No	Available
Key Strength	New comfort and safety features	Fuel efficiency and powertrain choice
ADAS	Level 2	Available on select variants

The Grand Vitara has the upper hand if mileage and alternative fuel options are priorities. The Elevate fights back with its newer feature package and straightforward petrol setup.

2026 Honda Elevate Facelift vs Rivals: Which One Should You Buy?

The 2026 Honda Elevate facelift is not trying to win this segment by offering the most engines or the highest power output. Instead, Honda has worked on the areas where the outgoing SUV needed more attention.

The new features make the Elevate a more complete package, while the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine remains a simple choice for everyday driving. The 6-speed manual and CVT options also cover the needs of most petrol SUV buyers.

However, the rivals still have clear advantages. The Creta and Seltos offer wider powertrain choices. The Victoris and Grand Vitara make stronger cases for hybrid and CNG buyers. Meanwhile, the Kushaq is the pick for those who want stronger turbo-petrol performance.

So, the Elevate facelift may not be the most feature-heavy or powerful SUV here. But if you want a balanced petrol SUV with Honda's driving character and a much-improved equipment list, it deserves a place on your shortlist.

FAQ about Honda Elevate Facelift vs Rivals

Is the 2026 Honda Elevate facelift more powerful than the Creta?
No. The Elevate produces 121 PS, while the Creta's 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 160 PS. The Creta also offers diesel power.

Which is cheaper, Honda Elevate facelift or Hyundai Creta?
The Hyundai Creta starts at Rs. 10.90 lakh, making its entry price lower than the Elevate facelift's Rs. 11.80 lakh starting price.

Does the Honda Elevate facelift get a hybrid engine?
No. The 2026 Elevate facelift continues with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with manual and CVT gearbox options.

Which rival offers more power than the Honda Elevate?
The Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos offer stronger engine options, with turbo-petrol versions producing considerably more power and torque than the Elevate.

Is the Honda Elevate facelift worth buying over its rivals?
It can be, especially for buyers wanting a simple petrol SUV, CVT automatic and improved features without moving to a turbo or hybrid powertrain.