Just a few days ago we attended the national launch event of the all-new Suzuki Dzire small sedan. The small sedan segment must be a lucrative one as this week a new Honda Amaze, the Dzire’s closest rival, went on sale locally. We attended the South African introduction event held in the rainy Cape earlier this week.

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New Inside and Out

The latest Amaze is completely new inside and out. The third-generation of its name has an exterior appearance that brings it in line with the Elevate crossover. A set of swoopy headlamps, standard LED units, no less, frame a large central grille. In profile the Amaze looks quite boxy and chunky with a high waistline. The taillamps, also LED, mimic the design of the headlamps.

The cabin has a new treatment as well, to complement the outward appearance. Honda designs have given the Amaze’s facia a horizontal theme to create a sense of space. Standard specification is pretty decent for one of the most affordable vehicles on the SA new-car market. This includes a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment system and digital air-conditioning.

Little Car

The new Honda Amaze is a little sedan, very much in the mould of its predecessors. It fits inside a box that is just under for metres long. Its length manages to provide a usable level of space inside. Although not massive, the Amaze feel roomy. Additionally, the long-ish wheelbase provides a decent level of leg room. Boot volume is quite mammoth at a claimed 416 litres, more than most vehicles in a segment above.

Two Trim Levels

The new Honda Amaze is available in two trim levels: Trend and Comfort. There is hardly anything to choose between them. We’ve already mentioned a few of the standard items above. The Trend has dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and an electronic stability program as well as hill-start assist. Other items include 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear-facing camera, parking sensors, electric windows and keyless entry.

Comfort variants add four more airbags (side and curtain), takes the speaker count up to six (from four), offers a wireless smartphone charger, and auto-on headlamps. Front fog lamps and alloy wheels of a different style help differentiate the two trim levels from the outside.

Single Engine

Honda has carried over the engine from the previous generation Amaze. The 1,2-litre naturally aspirated unit produces 66 kW and 110 N.m. In true Honda fashion, the motor is smooth and refined, and not shy of a few revs. Buyers can choose between a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), that offers seven steps for a more typical automatic transmission response. In essence, it feels more like an old-style automatic instead of the drone-y CVT behaviour that is typical of this type of unit.

Summary

Honda SA has taken a bit of a backseat in recent times, losing out to newcomers from the East. The brand has, according to the head of the local operation, made a long-term commitment to South Africa. The latest Amaze is key to the company remaining viable in the local market. It is, after all, the top-selling model for the brand in SA.

The latest Amaze, while not a marked departure from its predecessor, has been refined and restyled to make it an option for those who are shopping for a small sedan. Interestingly, Honda SA has kept pricing almost unchanged (max of R2 000), while increasing the service plan. This makes the Honda Amaze a pretty attractive option for small families or entrepreneurs (read: e-hailing drivers) on a budget.

New Honda Amaze Pricing

Trend (manual) – R254 900
Comfort (manual) – R274 900
Comfort (CVT) – R294 900

All prices include a five-year/200 000 km warranty, three years of roadside assistance and a four-year/60 000 km service plan.

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