Honda's smallest offering, the Amaze, has received a host of updates to keep it fresh and competitive. First introduced in 2018, the Amaze has found great favour with buyers seeking plenty of practicality for not much financial outlay.
As before, two trim levels - Trend and Comfort - are available, both with a two-year/30 000 km service plan.
So, what's changed?
While the overall design remains untouched, the revised detailing gives the compact sedan a fresher look. Up front, the new front grille is the most obvious addition, giving the Amaze a more modern appearance. Alloy wheels are standard.
From the rear, a revised bumper with chrome accents and LED taillamps freshen up the look. Honda has also extended the colour options, the Amaze now available in Platinum White, Lunar Silver, Radian Red and Meteoroid Grey.
Inside, the previous two-tone beige/black upholstery is gone, replaced with a full-black interior. This, says Honda, enhances overall durability in the interior. Upmarket touches include Gloss piano black detailing on the dashboard. Standard equipment includes a multifunction steering wheel, USB, Bluetooth and AUX connectivity and a rear armrest. Safety wise, all Amaze models receive dual front airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchorages and ABS brakes with EBD.
Additionally, Comfort models receive LED headlamps and 15-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, along with climate control and a seven-inch touchscreen with a reverse camera. It also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The boot of the Amaze is capacious, offering up 420 litres of luggage space.
Performance wiese, the Amaze uses a 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which produces 66 kW and 110 Nm of torque. In the Trend model, this is available with a five-speed manual transmission, however, Comfort variants can be specified with a CVT.
Manual-equipped models sprint to 100 km/h in just 12.3 seconds, while CVT equipped models need 13.5 seconds. All models have a top speed of 150 km/h. Fuel economy is impressive, the CVT version sipping just 5.7 litres for every 100 km travelled. The manual model is slightly more frugal, with a claimed figure of 5.6 litres/100 km.
Amaze models receive a five-year/200 000 km warranty and a two-year/30 000 km service plan. A three-year AA Roadside Assistance package is also part of the standard price.
Pricing:
1.2 Trend: R209 100
1.2 Comfort: R234 700
1.2 Comfort CVT: R252 800
Also worth a look: the Honda Amaze and the Honda Elevate: WR-V Successor Debuts in SA.
FAQ
Q: What does the Honda Amaze cost in South Africa?
The Honda Amaze Trend starts from around R289,900 for the manual version, while the Comfort CVT will set you back approximately R349,900, making it one of the more affordable compact sedans on the market.
Q: Is the Honda Amaze worth buying in 2024?
The Amaze is absolutely worth considering if you need maximum practicality on a tight budget, offering 420 litres of boot space, decent fuel economy, and Honda's reputation for reliability, though don't expect thrilling performance from the 66 kW engine.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Honda Amaze?
The Honda Amaze delivers excellent fuel consumption figures of around 5.3 litres per 100km for the manual transmission and 5.7 litres per 100km for the CVT, making it one of the most economical sedans you can buy.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Honda Amaze?
The Amaze goes head-to-head with the Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan, and Nissan Almera, but it stands out with Honda's build quality and that massive 420-litre boot space.
Q: Does the Honda Amaze have good safety features?
All Amaze models come with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard, while Comfort models add LED headlamps and a reverse camera for extra peace of mind.
Should You Buy It?
The best compact sedan under R350,000 in South Africa is definitely the Honda Amaze Comfort CVT at R349,900. Yes, you should buy it if practicality trumps performance in your priority list. The Amaze delivers where it counts with that cavernous 420-litre boot, Honda's legendary reliability, excellent fuel economy of 5.7 litres per 100km, and enough kit to keep you happy including Apple CarPlay and a reverse camera. Sure, the 66 kW engine won't win any drag races and takes a leisurely 13.5 seconds to reach 100 kph, but for daily commuting and family duties, the Amaze punches well above its weight class. Skip the base Trend and go straight for the Comfort with CVT, climate control, and LED headlamps for the extra R60,000, it's worth every rand for the convenience alone.
