Drive to Discover 2025: Of Monsoon Trails & Thrilling Honda Machines

There are few things as meditative as a long drive through the Western Ghats during peak monsoon. Now add to that a diverse lineup of Honda cars, a convoy of fellow auto journalists, and a route that crisscrosses some of the most rain-kissed landscapes in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and you get Honda’s Drive to Discover 2025: Monsoon Trails Edition. Across four days, 40-odd journalists and a fleet of Elevates, Amazes, and Citys traced a 500km+ route from Kochi to Coimbatore via Athirappilly, Munnar, and Kodaikanal. The rains didn’t just accompany us; they defined the journey.

Kochi to Athirappilly in the Honda Elevate

Our journey began at sea level, touching down in Kochi, hot, humid, and brimming with pre-monsoon tension. As we rolled out of the airport and into the narrow highways leading to Athirappilly, I was behind the wheel of the Honda Elevate. The Elevate’s biggest strength on these roads was its sheer confidence. High ground clearance made light work of occasional water-logged stretches, and the suspension setup, which was soft but well-damped, allowed us to float over patched tarmac. The 1.5L i-VTEC naturally aspirated petrol engine remains a smooth performer, delivering power in a linear, predictable fashion.

What really stood out was the commanding view from the driver’s seat, which is ideal for narrow Kerala roads where every inch of visibility counts. The rain had arrived in earnest by the time we neared Chalakudy, and it framed the landscape in sheets of silver. By the time we reached Sterling Athirappilly, the hotel was being practically hugged by the flooded river. The night, hence, featured a constant rhythm of falling rain mixed with the heavy gushing of the river waters.

Athirappilly to Munnar in the Honda Amaze Manual

A new day, a new car. I got my hands on the Honda Amaze with its manual transmission. The route from Athirappilly to Munnar took us uphill through dense forests, broken patches, and winding ghats. This is where the Amaze proved that simplicity still has a place in today’s feature-bloated segment. The 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine may not be the most powerful in its class, but its smooth revving nature and light clutch made it perfect for the 130km drive through ever-changing terrain. The car’s compact footprint came in handy on the twisty hairpins, and the steering, though light, offered enough precision for confident cornering.

Surprisingly, the ride quality was one of the highlights. Despite its compact size, the Amaze soaked up bumps and broken patches with grace. That said, overtakes on inclines needed planning, especially with full load and AC running, an area where the Amaze still shows its limitations. We reached Scenic by IHCL in Munnar just as the clouds began to descend into the valleys. The air was thick with petrichor, the balconies echoed with jungle sounds, and the temperature had dropped a good ten degrees. The hotel was perched at the edge of a forest, and nature made its presence known at every turn.

Munnar to Kodaikanal in the Honda City CVT

From the smallest to the most refined, Day 3 handed me the keys to the Honda City CVT for the 170km journey to Kodaikanal. This leg offered the most diverse driving conditions of the entire trip. From hairpin ghats and cloud-kissed descents to dry patches and sudden downpours, the City had to constantly adapt—and it did so with grace. The CVT remains one of Honda’s strongest differentiators in this segment. It’s not sporty, but that’s not the brief. What it is is supremely relaxed.. In traffic, the City glides. On the highway, it cruises. Through ghats, it flows.

Handling-wise, the City remains a gem. Even in wet conditions, the grip from the 16-inch tyres and the poise of the chassis gave me enough confidence to maintain a good rhythm. Its longer wheelbase does mean you need to be a bit more mindful on tighter turns, but the payoff is a planted and mature ride on open roads. Our arrival at Sterling Kodai Valley felt earned. After three days of progressively higher climbs, the body began to crave rest, but the soul was fully charged. Conversations flowed into the night, and the rain continued.

Kodaikanal to Coimbatore: The Final Salute

The final leg of the drive took us downhill from the misty hills of Kodaikanal to the plains of Coimbatore. We passed by the towering windmills of Teni that felt imposing against the overcast sky. While I wasn't behind the wheel on this leg, being a passenger gave me a new perspective on both the cars and the journey itself. Watching the Elevates, the Citys, and the Amazes snake their way downhill, framed by monsoon clouds and infinite greenery, it struck me just how well each car had played its part. The Elevate brought confidence and ground clearance. The Amaze offered simplicity and agility. And the City delivered poise and comfort. None of them tried to be something they weren’t, and that’s what made them all excellent road companions.

A Journey as Varied as the Cars Themselves

Honda’s Drive to Discover: Monsoon Trails wasn’t just another media drive. It was a reminder that in an increasingly digital world, the real joy lies in unplugging and driving through the raw beauty of nature. It was about choosing the scenic route over the shortest one. From Elevate’s versatility to the Amaze’s resilience and the City’s effortless refinement, each Honda had a distinct personality suited to different legs of the journey. And in a monsoon-drenched landscape where nature takes centre stage, the best cars are the ones that let you be part of the story without upstaging it.