Honda Amaze - Compact, Economical, Aesthetic, and a Performer

Honda has been playing in the Indian car market for quite some time now, but had primarily restricted itself to certain segments of cars, especially to sedans and SUVs. The smaller city car segments, which include the compact sedan and city hatchback, were largely left untouched until recently, when they introduced the Honda Brio (hatchback city car) and the Honda Amaze (compact sedan).

The Amaze has proved to hit a sweet-spot in the particular consumer segment, as it provided them with one more option apart from Maruti Swift DZire, and perhaps the Toyota Etios. From Price points to the perfect segmental positioning, Amaze has been a source of healthy competition to the other cars in the segment, and it’s features are certainly worth looking at.

Exterior

The Honda Amaze has been a model bought into the market after the Honda Brio city hatchback car. Hence, the design of the car is largely familiar and has been getting its share of fans consistently. The crease on the front bonnet along with the side panels along the doors, speak of the aerodynamic designing concept of the vehicle, which would mean lesser air drag for the car. The headlamps are prominently extended on the sides, which is modern day fashion statement. The front grille showcases mainly the 2 prominent slanted chrome bars with the Honda Logo at the center, which are placed in front the honeycomb mesh on the inside. The bumper features multiple creases as a part of its design, and features the 2 fog lamps placed on the lower end of.

On the rear end, one could conclude that the Amaze sedan has borrowed quite a bit from the Honda City (the taillights), and even the direct rival, Swift Dzire (the protrusion of the trunk lid). But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it managed to draw up a sporty and modern look, which includes the chrome strip running across the trunk lid, with the license plate placed just below it. And for those who have a weakness for allow wheels, the Amaze has been 2 options with the petrol and diesel models of the Amaze, adding as a key feature the car.

Interior

The Amaze sedan has elements of its hatchback cousin, the Brio but the changes expected in a sedan, seem to be very much there to observe. Though one could feel that the lower end editions of the car could receive a bit more, the higher end seem to be more generous in its offerings. The instrument cluster at the driver’s seat comes with the Brio borrowed triple circle layout; speedometer at the center, the fuel gauge and eco-indicator at the right hand side, and the tachometer on the left. The angular placement of the cluster makes it almost ideal for the driver to see, helped easy the backlit dials for easy viewing.

Other attractive features include the electrical ORVM, USB and Aux-in integration of the audio system, seat height adjuster, and the steering mounted audio controls. Utility based features include the cup & drink holders on the rear seat arm rest, the front door pockets, and a spacious glove box.

The engine

The Honda Amaze offers the options of diesel and petrol as fuel variants. The diesel driven engine is a 1.5-liter iDTEC, which has struck a chord with the audience due to its high mileage figures of 25.8 kmpl. It has been mated with 5-speed transmission, with a displacement capacity of 1498cc. The petrol edition on the other hand, is a 1.2-liter iVTEC engine with 1198cc displacement capacity, a fuel efficiency rate of 18 kmpl. Transmission is the similar 5-speed option. However efficiency figures are lower for the auto transmission edition, which gives around 15.5 kmpl.

Color Options: 6 (Majestic Metallic blue, Crystal Black Pearl, Carnelian Red Pearl, Alabaster silver metallic, Urban Titanium, Taffeta white).

Feature-wise model options: 7 petrol based (E, EX, S, SX, VX, SAT, VXAT) and 5 diesel based (E, EX, S, SX, VX).

Price Band: Rs 5.15 lakh to Rs 7.78 lakh.