Honda Amaze: At roughly four meters, three and a half to be precise, the Honda Amaze is a prime example of design engineers making the best of what they have.
Since then and through any number of subsequent generations, this small car has justly upheld the automaker’s decades-long reputation for quality, reliability and overall refinement, all while catering its design and feature set to the demands of cost-conscious markets.
It’s not just a new name in Honda’s world here however; it’s a well thought out strategy of calibrated, even measured delivery of assuredly premium package to the broadest possible reach of potential buyers out there.
Honda Amaze: Evolution of Design: Proportion in Fit
The Amaze’s exterior styling does a really good job of trying to keep everything looking visually balanced and proportionate, given the sub-four-meter packaging.
Unlike a few rivals that seem to have been visually clipped by dimensions dictated by regulations, the Amaze has been conceived with a well-proportioned body-to-greenhouse ratio.
Up front, Honda’s signature chromed bar traverses the grille on a sleek headlamp cluster separates by LED daytime running lights on top-end models with a unique light pattern.
In profile, the character line that runs from front fender to taillights provides visual flow without being artificial and the taut roofline ensures the headroom for rear occupants isn’t the awkwardly truncated look that besets some cars in this class.
Meanwhile, the rear takes a wider look with horizontal taillamps and tasteful chrome touches, yielding a substantial appearance that defies this sedan’s actual size.
That colour line-up includes some conservative hues suitable for professional types, as well as more attention-seeking shades like Radiant Red and Lunar Silver that younger buyers wanting to make a slightly bolder statement might find attractive.
The metalized finishes show a rich depth and glisten with multiple layers of coating for the initial powerlook and long lasting ruggedness within harsh outdoor environments.
Cabin Drivetrain: Subjective Space Utilization
Inside, the Amaze achieves what might just be its most heroic accomplishment yet: a cabin that makes you feel like there’s no way the car from the outside can carry so much space in it.
One of the factors accounting for this sense of spaciousness is the lack of traditional car features such as a low window beltline to ensure good visibility and eliminate a feeling of claustrophobia, along with a dashboard that makes use of horizontal elements to create a sense of width.
Material selection clearly shows that Honda gets it that what you actually feel touches majorly impacts on how you feel about owning something.
The touch points (on the steering wheel, gear selector, and door handles) are made with materials that actually feel like materials, rather than something that’s conspicuously been saved upon.
Patterns and textures in fabric have been specifically chosen to not show soil or stains, yet provide sufficient “grip” to remain in place in seating position.
In upper trims, synchronised stitches across the dashboard look so rich that it’s hard to believe they can still look good after years of daily use.
The front seats are noteworthy, offering unexpected levels of comfort yet more impressive over long distances considering the modest price point.
A plush, supple density strikes the right balance of initial softness to provide comfort, with the sustainable firmness needed to support your body on longer rides, while shaping and support doesn’t leave you struggling to slide past or hike over it.
Backseat space — often a weak point in compact sedans — gets careful attention in the form of better-angled seatbacks, better thigh support and tolerable headroom for those up to around 6 feet tall, even with the car’s raked roofline.
The almost flat floor also makes for comfortable center seating while riding three abreast at the rear, and like most cars in this segment, the Amaze is really a 4+1-seater for long trips.
Powertrains: Efficient and Personality-Packed
The Amaze provides two powertrain options, corresponding to differing emphasis on speed/efficiency/drive feel. The petrol model is powered by Honda’s famous 1.2L i-VTEC (1,198 cc) in-line 4-cylinder petrol engine delivering around 90 hp at 6,000 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm.
The NA motor power delivery is linear and typical of all Honda engines, pulling away smoothly when you’re easy on the throttle and yet, when you are in the mood, revs quite quickly and freely.
For more budget-focused or long distance users, there’s a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel with about 100bhp on tap and plenty of low-down muscle in the shape of around 200Nm of torque.
This diesel engine – Very Fuel Efficient Superb Fuel Economy, does more than 24KM/L and drivers looking into the overall running cost will find no issue owning this despite the extra premium to pay upfront for the vehicle (since any savings occasioned by lower GAL cost can easily be wiped out if it guzzles prodigal-like).
There’s an accurate 5-speed manual on offer, with a light shift action, some definition between the gears and a moderate throw, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) option for the petrol engine.
Honda deserves credit for its use of CVT technology, as it manages to mitigate some of the CVT’s de facto whine and rubber-band-feeling in some of its rivals, simulating gear changes under moderate and heavier acceleration with programmed “steps”, making it one of the most natural-feeling systems on the market.
Ride and Handling: Assured and Confident
The Amaze’s compliant suspension is obviously inspired by Honda’s realisation that ride comfort really is a big deal, especially is countries where road surfaces can be atrocious, like ours.
Front and rear macPherson struts and torsion beam get in on the act to pass along a softness in favour of outright sporting firmness, but enough body control to keep things tidy under quick cast direction changes.
Centering in the steering is well judged to provide lightness around town, and increasing weighting at freeway speeds that inspires confidence on long journeys.
This last attribute is particularly useful for getting around cities and parking, in which added agility makes a meaningful difference every day.
Noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) control as exemplified by Honda’s traditional strength in refinement. Careful use of sound-absorbing material and isolation mounts also ensures a cabin that’s more hushed than you might imagine for this kind of money – especially in the petrol model.
It doesn’t escape the fact that, like all diesels, it’s noisier than cars with a petrol engine, with more of a mechanical thrum under acceleration, but the 3.0-litre V6 is well insulated in the cabin otherwise and doesn’t become tiring on a long drive at a steady speed.
Flesh and Blood: Day-to-Day Use
48045477 image Ottawa 12876095565 Amaze’s usefulness doesn’t end with the seating; there are a number of other nifty features that make the commuter comfort for the most part.
The 420-litre boot space is more than expecte for cars in this segment and so can easily manage numerous big suitcases or weekly shopping for a family.
The square shape of the rear cargo area is the first thing that makes it a useful place to carry stuff, while the 60:40 split-folding rear seat allows flexibility when carrying long items.
Storage is also plentiful around the cabin, with plenty of large door pockets complemented by a number of cupholders and well-placed phone storage.
The glovebox has holders for cards and just about anything short of large documents, with higher trims also benefiting from soft bag-friendly additional storage under the center armrest – it’s these kinds of little details that all add up to a greater ownership experience by paying attention to how people actually use their vehicle every day.
A special word on climate control because in tough weather in lots of Amaze markets, this really does work. The system provides blast furnace-style cooling in blistering conditions, and smart vent placement provides balanced temperatures in all corners of the cabin.
Rear passengers will also appreciate the distinct vents on higher trims as a recognition that full comfort is not just for those sitting in front.
Technology incorporation: A clearer product of interest
The technology package is focused on function over impressing the list of specifications. The infotainment system is based around a 7-inch touchscreen (on higher versions) with smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The user interface is designed to make access to and operation of the system as user friendly as possible; with large touch areas and a logical menu hierarchy, the ELAN system is easily navigated, understanding that complex systems can easily become the enemy of day-to-day enjoyment.
Standard safety tech is also available such as twin front airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensor.
More expensive versions gain side and curtain airbags, multi-view reverse camera with dynamic guidelines and vehicle stability assist handing the Jazz a comprehensive safety arsenal that not only meets regulatory needs, but the real world concerns of owners, rather than just ticking compliance boxes.
Honda Amaze: Market Positioning and Value Proposition
Positioning of the Amaze is very clear in Honda’s product line-up and in the segment at large. It’s a great entry point for Honda ownership, without all the compromises that sometimes come with cheaper models.
The Amaze, being the entry point into brand Honda for many of first time buyers, has induced a small mindset change in those considering it as the experience with the car has been good and it forms the basis of future loyalty for the brand as the customer progresses up the value chain of vehicles with change in disposable income.
In this fiercely competitive sub-four-meter sedan space where the Amaze locks horns with seasoned rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, and Tata Tigor, Honda’s offering stands tall on grounds of better refinement and a more premium experience overall rather than gimmicky feature lists or over aggressive price positioning.
This appeals to buyers who value the satisfaction of ownership as much as the price of entry, a market segment that tends to be most loyal to a brand and use the products they purchase to their fullest potential.
The Honda Amaze is the best example that limitations in dimensions and price do not necessarily mean limited dimensions and capabilities that turns daily commutes into a sheer daily grind.
“By refreshing the focus directly on proportion, premium and quality, the challenge set for the remarkable engineers and designers of this sporty compact sedan was to raise the bar on what people could expect in the class,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
“I think we’ve exceeded expectations.” Drawing inspiration from the highly acclaimed 2016 Civic Coupe, the Civic Sedan takes the concept of a sporty compact sedan to a new level with a high degree of attention to the principles of sleek and sporty, and a sophisticated interior design that raises compact class expectations for quality and premium content.