A COMPACT SEDAN THAT THINKS BIG

Honda’s third-generation Amaze arrives at an interesting juncture. As compact sedans fight for survival against an SUVdominated landscape, Honda’s bestseller steps up with a fresh approach, focusing on safety, practicality, and a touch of sophistication.

- Saneet Dsilva

It now comes equipped with segment-leading safety tech and a design refresh, and it hopes to carve out a niche amidst tough competition. But has the Amaze sharpened its edge enough to stand against a more feature-rich Maruti Suzuki Dzire, or is it content to play second fiddle?

From the outside, the Amaze exudes a subtle confidence that Honda seems to have mastered. The upright grille, generous chrome accents, and slimmer LED headlamps bear a strong resemblance to the Honda Elevate, lending the Amaze a familial connection to its SUV sibling. At the rear, its resemblance to the City is unmistakable, a clever design cue that elevates the compact sedan’s overall presence. The dimensions remain largely unchanged, save for a slight increase in width. While familiar, the side profile benefits from subtle updates like doormounted mirrors and diamond-cut alloy wheels. The design has a clear sense of maturity, though the lack of a factory-fitted sunroof or 360-degree camera might leave some buyers wanting.

Inside, Honda has stayed true to its ethos of functional simplicity. The dashboard is minimalistic, echoing the Elevate’s horizontal design layout but skipping out on soft-touch materials or faux wood inserts. Still, the beige-and-black cabin adds a sense of brightness, and Honda’s hallmark ergonomics shine through. The controls are logical, visibility is excellent, and there’s plenty of storage to keep the clutter at bay. The 8-inch touchscreen, while easy to use, feels modest in a segment that has embraced larger displays. It gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though the lack of USB-C ports is a minor oversight in today’s tech-driven world.