3rd Generation Honda Amaze Launched At 7.99 Lakh: 1.2 Lakh Costlier Than Maruti Dzire

Putting an end to anticipations, Honda Cars India has launched the new third-generation Amaze in the Indian market. The sedan is available in 3 trims- V, VX and ZX (now starting with the V trim) with a starting price of 7.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The range-topping variant will cost Rs 9.69 lakh, ex-showroom! The previous generation had ex-showroom prices in the range of Rs 7.23 lakh – Rs 9.99 lakh. The entry price of the new sedan has thus gone up slightly while the top spec is slightly cheaper than before! Also to be mentioned here is the fact that these prices are introductory and are valid till 45 days from now.

However, when pitted against the Dzire which starts at 6.79 lakh, ex-showroom, the Amaze is still on the expensive side. Considering the range-topping variants alone, the Dzire ends at 10.14 lakh, while the Amaze is cheaper by 14,000. And the top-spec Dzire misses out on ADAS, whereas the Amaze has it even when standing more affordable. Again, the Dzire prices are valid till 31st of December, while the Amaze’s intro prices go up to January.

Design

The new Amaze is significantly larger than its predecessor. It is longer and wider, which means more cabin room. It now looks more or less like a baby Honda City. The front fascia has got extensive reworks. Cues from both the City and Elevate can be seen in various areas of the design. 6 exterior colours are offered, and there is even a specially designed ‘Signature’ edition available. The front fascia and the rear have completely evolved. The front now gets a larger hexagonal-pattern gloss black grille (which would instantly remind you of the Elevate), thick Chrome bar and fresh-looking bumpers.

Instead of the projector headlamps on the previous model, the new Amaze gets dual-LED pod headlights, which look sleek and a lot like the ones on the Elevate. The new bumper gets horizontal slats and new fog lamp housings. Fog lamps themselves are LED units. The new design looks classier and more modern than before and has a sense of ‘being large’ to it.

The new car also comes with new dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. Save for these, the silhouette remains identical to that of the second-generation car. Extensive design revisions have been made to the rear as well. The tail lamps now look a lot like the ones on the City, and significantly better than the old C-shaped LEDs. The rear bumper looks clean.

Interior

The cabin layout has been improved on the new Amaze. Most things inside would remind you of the Elevate SUV. Key features include a free-standing 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 6-speaker surround sound system, Elevate-like automatic climate control buttons, rear AC vents, wireless charger, PM 2.5 filter, a new multifunction steering wheel that’s shared with both the City and Elevate, connected car tech and more.

Honda also provides level 2 ADAS (Honda Sensing as they call it) on the new Amaze. It has thus become the first in its segment to get this feature. It also slots in as India’s most affordable ADAS-equipped car. The safety suite consists of 28+ features.

There is, however, no sunroof offered. The fourth-generation Maruti Dzire, on the other hand, comes with a single-pane sunroof but lacks ADAS. It is thus an amicable trade-off between the two.

Coming back to the Amaze’s cabin, the top-spec gets a classy Black-Beige colourway and generous use of materials and trims that look and feel good. The AC vents are sleek and sit underneath the centre stage. Where you’d get a wooden panel on the Elevate, the sedan makes do with a unique pattern. Practicality is ensured by ample storage places inside, including a few cup holders on the centre console.

Engine Specifications

There are no changes in the third-generation car’s powertrains. It makes do with the same 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine as before. The motor produces 90hp and 110 Nm and comes mated to a 5-speed manual and a CVT transmission. It is just the Amaze that offers a CVT in this segment. The automatic variant also comes with paddle shifters.

The suspension has been revisited to ensure a more comfortable ride and better handling. It also comes with an India-friendly turning radius and ground clearance.

Rivals

In the Indian market, the Dzire remains the arch-rival of the new Amaze. The recently launched fourth-generation Maruti sedan packs enough to give the new Amaze a strong fight. Other possible competitors are the Tata Tigor and Hyundai Aura.