As SUV dominance continues to sweep the country, it’s down to just two compact sedans to hold the fort. First came the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire with its improved GNCAP rating setting it above the fray, raising the safety bar for likes of the Amaze. While the Amaze hasn’t undergone extensive crash tests, it is now equipped with a camera-based ADAS suite and more safety features.
The 2025 Honda Amaze showcases a bold and assertive front fascia, characterized by a vertical hexagonal grille that is accentuated by a prominent chrome bar. It has elements of the Honda Elevate and more than a hint of the Honda City (at the rear) which helps it pip the Dzire when it comes to premium-ness. While that may not be enough to make it a bigger seller, it’s enough to keep the Honda flag flying in the face of turbulent headwinds.
What does the new Amaze offer?
In terms of the powertrain, nothing has changed. The new Amaze simply offers more refined looks and better interior options. You also get the option of outfitting it with a non-factory-fitted CNG kit via a dealership, that’s going to make the car dearer by Rs 1 lakh but that’s about it.
The looks are central to the Amaze’s appeal. Not only does it pack wider tyres, it also gets diamond-cut alloys, door-mounted mirrors and an increase in overall width by 38mm. Changes are purely incremental, and barely enough to qualify this as anything more than a facelift, but they do cumulatively add up to significantly boost the car’s appeal among those still besotted with the idea of a small, budget-friendly car with the proportions of a sedan. Outside of the fleet cab market of which the Amaze isn’t a part, it is a shrinking demographic, but it’s still a sizable one.
The interiors, while still retaining Honda’s trademark levels of quality, don’t feel particularly contemporary. It’s functional and ergonomic, yes, but with an 8-inch touchscreen, the absence of any soft-touch materials does take away some of the lustre. Still, a dual-tone interior, well-bolstered and well-cushioned seats along ample storage spaces make for a spacious and ergonomic cabin. What adds to the cabin’s appeal is the presence of rear AC vents, an additional rear headrest and of course, segment-best 416 litres of boot space.
On the safety front, Honda’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) makes its debut in the Amaze lineup. Features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Collision Mitigation Braking System add an extra layer of protection. The emergency braking system seems well-calibrated and doesn’t bring the car to a grinding halt at the faintest shadow of a jaywalker. Barring a few conspicuously absent features like a sunroof (not really a necessity), a 360-degree camera (definitely a necessity) and a type-C USB port it’s got the right bells and whistles which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How it drives:
In short: pretty much the way it always did. The same 1.2-litre petrol engine that’s found on its predecessor is found here. And as always, it continues to be best served by a 5-speed manual gearbox. Surprisingly enough, it’s still not geared for short bursts of speed despite its initial gears being tall, It instead finds its rhythm higher up the rev band, dampening the spirited performance the Hondas are known for. Still, its compact dimensions, and supple suspension make for a very convenient, hassle-free inner-city drive. Even though it looks like a mini-City, it’s yet to drive like one.
Verdict:
That the Elevate hasn’t been able to scorch the sales charts despite having all the right Honda ingredients is as much a sign of the times as it is an indicator of evolving consumer preferences. The Amaze, however, continues to stand tall with strong sales. It gets you access to the Honda Club, and while a dealership-fitted CNG kit may not scream Honda in the way yesteryear icons like the Brio did, the Amaze is still a fun little car to drive. It’s compact and since the sub-four-metre compact sedan segment allows it to be, it is a handsome-looking car with dimensions that have particular appeal in urban confines.
The 2025 Honda Amaze is a testament to how far the compact sedan segment has evolved. It’s no longer just about affordability and efficiency — it’s about making a statement. And that it does. With a price band ranging from Rs 9.07 lakh to Rs 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom), it is pricier than the Dzire, but that’s just the premium you pay for trademark Honda reliability and a certain exclusivity that the Dzire simply does not offer. The Amaze continues to excel both as a spacious and practical option for first-time car buyers and as a second inner-city runabout.
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