Introduction
As an automobile journalist, my job often looks like a dream to many. Drive new cars, fly to new places, and stay at luxury hotels. And sure, those parts are real. But what often goes unseen are the early morning call times, tightly packed schedules, and the rush to gather all the photos and videos so we can bring you reviews that are both informative and engaging.
That’s why, every now and then, when there’s an opportunity to actually enjoy the car, drive, and the destination, without the pressure of a ticking clock, it feels special. And for me, that moment came with Honda’s Drive to Discover (D2D).
Now in its 13th edition, this year’s D2D was my first. The plan? A four-day drive across the scenic stretches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, covering over 500km in Honda’s lineup - the Elevate, City, Amaze, and the City e:HEV. For someone who had never explored the backwaters and lush green routes of South India, I was genuinely excited.
In the City, to the Falls
Before setting off, Sonam and I did what any excited traveller would. We charted out all the must-visit spots, food joints, and shopping breaks we could squeeze into four days. Bags packed, we left humid Mumbai behind and caught an early flight to Kochi.
Honda had things set up neatly, with a briefing and flag-off right at a hotel near the airport. Our steed for Day 1 was the ever-familiar Honda City with the CVT gearbox. With its spacious boot swallowing up both our bags and snacks, we set out on the short 38km drive to Athirappilly.
Sonam volunteered to drive first, which meant I was in charge of navigation duties and curating the all-important road trip playlist. The narrow roads soon gave way to the twisty bits of the Sholayar Forest Reserve, and the City handled them confidently. The CVT may not scream excitement, but it made the drive feel smooth and effortless. Visibility was great, the suspension absorbed the rough patches of the jungle well, and to be honest, I didn’t mind staying in the passenger seat, especially since Sonam didn’t offer to swap.
Just before sunset, we reached Athirappilly and took a short detour to visit the famed waterfalls. Often called the 'Niagara of South India', the roaring falls during monsoon are a sight to behold.
Into the Hills
Waking up to the sound of a flowing river instead of an alarm was a rare treat. With a hearty breakfast to kick things off and no early call times, we were all set for the 127km drive to Munnar.
Even better, we got an upgrade, trading the sedan for the Honda Elevate CVT. The SUV felt just right for this leg. I liked the elegant tan interior and the clean, clutter-free dashboard, but what stood out most was the forward visibility. Thanks to the clamshell bonnet design, spotting steep inclines and sharp declines felt far more confidence-inspiring.
Sonam and I split driving duties, and I took the first half. We cruised through more of the Sholayar Forest Reserve, passing rubber plantations, and even made a quick stop to see how raw rubber is extracted and processed.
Soon, the terrain changed. Tea plantations flanked us on either side, and the cool, misty weather was a welcome break from Mumbai’s heat. I drove most of the way up the ghat roads, but eventually, Sonam’s silent stares made it clear it was time to switch. No complaints though. Windows down, clean air, and endless tea gardens made the passenger seat just as rewarding.
Munnar welcomed us in the evening. We crossed the busy little market area and checked into our hotel for the night. The view from my room? More green hills and freshly brewed local tea. Not a bad way to end the day.
Elevate to Kodaikanal
Think Munnar is the most scenic hill station? Wait till you climb higher into Tamil Nadu and arrive at the misty beauty of Kodaikanal. A 171km drive lay ahead, and just like us pulling out our jackets for the cooler weather, the Elevate too had a wardrobe change. Now in its stealthy Black Edition avatar, the all-black, dechromed look with red accents and ambient lighting added a touch of flair to the cabin.
Before leaving Munnar, we made a quick stop at a local shop to stock up on tea, spices, and oils. Some for us, most to fulfill family requests back home. With our bags heavier and hopes that the airline limits would be kind, we set off.
The drive from Munnar to Kodaikanal is best split into two parts. The first stretch was the iconic GAP road. It’s a ribbon of smooth tarmac wrapped around scenic viewpoints that almost force you to stop, admire, then drive again. From there, we joined the highway before entering the adventurous 50km+ long ghat leading to Kodaikanal.
This is where the Elevate really impressed. It felt light and composed through the bends, with enough punch to pull cleanly out of corners. The CVT kept things smooth and made the twisty route feel far less intimidating.
Somewhere along the way, we checked another item off our trip list, the local food. As vegetarians, we knew we were skipping the real meaty specialities, but the veg biryani and sides served on banana leaves didn’t disappoint. The crispy vazhakkai (raw banana bhajji) was a surprise hit. So good, we forgot to take a photo.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t spend too long soaking in Kodaikanal’s peaceful charm. With a long drive lined up the next day, we only had the evening to enjoy the cool air, quiet roads, and postcard-worthy views.
One Last Stretch
The final leg of our journey was a 180km drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore. It also happened to be the longest, and with a flight back to Mumbai later that day, time wasn’t exactly on our side.
To wrap things up, we switched to the Honda Amaze with a five-speed manual gearbox. The early morning descent from Kodaikanal’s ghats to the plains was anything but dull. I was in the passenger seat for this stretch, and let’s just say that the narrow, twisty ghat roads had enough thrill to tempt us into pushing both the car and ourselves a little harder. With minimal traffic and a communicative manual gearbox, the Amaze handled the downhill stretch confidently.
Post that spirited drive, we stopped for one final South Indian breakfast, a crisp dosa and strong filter coffee, and then joined the highway for the home stretch. The road to Coimbatore was smooth, fast, and lined with rows of giant windmills that looked endless against the landscape. Cruising at triple-digit speeds, the Amaze felt relaxed and effortless.
We reached the airport well ahead of schedule, bags stuffed with tea and spices, minds buzzing with road memories. As I boarded the flight and looked back at the four-day drive with Sonam, something struck me. The longer you live with a car, especially on a trip like this, the better you understand it. It’s not just about checking boxes or spec sheets. It’s about how the car feels day after day, road after road.
And after living with Honda’s range - the City, Elevate, and the Amaze, one thing stood out. While the lineup may not boast EVs, turbo petrols, or diesels, there’s still something deeply satisfying about driving naturally aspirated engines. Whether paired with a CVT or manual, the ease, refinement, and connection they offer are something purists have always appreciated. And for me, that’s the real discovery I’m taking home from Honda’s Drive to Discover 13.
