Honda Amaze (2025) First Drive Review

While most budget-seeking car buyers gravitate towards hatchbacks, some need more space, which is where the budget sedan comes in. This week, Honda's third-generation Amaze was introduced to local media, featuring big-car specs to give its competitors a proper run for their money.

Related: Suzuki DZire (2025) First Drive Review

Styling

The entry-level Trend derivative (manual) was our test model for the day.

The new Amaze looks noticeably less frumpy than the model it replaces, thanks to a fresh facelift with a new 'chequered-flag grille' and standard LED lighting. The Amaze's slightly wider body (1 733mm) also gives it better proportions, with unfussy lines that avoid the awkward styling which plagues some budget sedans. From the rear, the light signature strongly resembles the Honda Fit, one of my favourite hatchbacks in SA.

It still looks compact, but the interior space is quite substantial! Note the alloys on the Trend derivative.

The entry-level Trend model gets Sparkle Silver 15-inch alloys, while Comfort variants step up to dual-tone wheels and add LED fog lights. All five colour options (Platinum White, Obsidian Blue, Lunar Silver, Radiant Red, and Meteoroid Grey) suit the Amaze's styling well.

Related: Suzuki Dzire (2025) First Drive Review

What's on offer inside the Amaze?

Honda values a clean and uncluttered look, and practical black upholstery is standard on all models to withstand the daily rigours of travelling with kids or clients.

The dashboard layout is straightforward, with ergonomic controls. The 8.0-inch touchscreen (in all models) sits high for easy viewing, and its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality work without the connection headaches and accompanying glitches. The premium-looking 7.0-inch digital driver display provides clear information without overwhelming you with unnecessary graphics.

The Honda Amaze has grown up!

The rear legroom is generous for a car this size, making it ideal for family or e-hailing duties. The 416-litre boot swallows more luggage than expected, efficiently handling school trips and grocery shopping.

Related: Honda HR-V Executive Review (2024)

The instrument cluster is thoroughly modern with a classic twist, the Trend variant.

Interior storage is ample with well-sized door bins, a practical centre console, and sensible cup holders. The Comfort models add two extra speakers and a handy 15W wireless charger on a practical shelf where your phone won't slide around while driving.

In the higher-spec Comfort models, this shelf has a charging mat.

Build quality feels solid considering the price, and there is no obvious cost-cutting in touch points like the steering wheel and gear lever. It's not pretending to be premium, but the materials are durable and appropriately assembled, which matters more in a car you'll own for years.

Buying used? We compared the Honda Amaze to the Ford Figo sedan here.

See all the legroom? And there's enough space for your feet.

Driving the Amaze around Cape Town

The wet and windy conditions proved ideal for putting the 1.2-litre, four-cylinder Amaze through a comprehensive workout.

With impressive composure, it soaks up the punishment from pockmarked roads, yet stays planted enough through corners. The five-speed gearbox (we didn't get to sample the seven-step CVT) snicks between ratios with a satisfying precision that feels borrowed from Honda's pricier models.

Hout Bay served as a pretty background for photographing the Amaze.

In town, the Amaze feels sufficiently alive, nipping through gaps in traffic and making tight U-turns a breeze thanks to that light steering. Point it up an incline, though, and you'll reach for a lower gear quickly, reminding you that you won't win any hillclimb competitions, especially not at the reef where the thinner air translates to less power. This could be an issue with four sets of adult bottoms on the seats and a boot full of luggage.

Our consumption came to 6.8 L/100 km, which is decent. In the Amaze's defence, the south-easter had been blasting us about all day, and we did drive the little (not-so-little) sedan quite hard.

The Amaze is a great daily runabout for urban dwellers who don't want to be bogged down by a large, difficult-to-park car.

Safety in the Amaze

If you're keen on buying a new car for your matric or student, the Amaze is well-equipped in the safety department. Honda's engineering has always been sound due to its ACE body structure (we watched impressive crash-test videos), and the Amaze is fitted with two to six airbags (six in the Comfort model), along with stability control, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, hill-start assist, and keyless start.

This blue makes the Amaze appear more sophisticated.

Take a look at the specs for each model below:

Honda Amaze 2025 specs and features

The Amaze may be a budget car but punches above its weight were tech and spec are concerned.

Verdict

For a car that prioritises your wallet over your ego, the Amaze delivers a quality driving experience, especially when you drive past the fuel station more often than you stop at it. Competitors like the Suzuki Dzire and Proton Saga had better watch out!