Honda Amaze (2025) Review
A small sedan offers the best of both worlds. It's a practical little runabout you can take anywhere, combined with a sizeable boot if you need to travel further. Should you consider the Amaze if you're shopping in the budget segment? We drove the automatic model to find out if it's a Honda worth having.
The budget sedan segment may not be big, but there are many contenders if you need something manoeuvrable with some room in the boot. The newly launched Honda Amaze in top-spec 1.2 Comfort CVT trim visited us during adverse Cape weather. Did it sink or swim?
Styling
Finding a sexy car in this segment is difficult so that we won't discuss the Amaze's sensuous curves and proportions. It's not unattractive; it's leaning more towards functionality than fun. It gets 15-inch Sparkle Silver alloys, though, and the full LED lights in the front and rear are good news for those who don't have the best night vision. Viewed from the side, the Amaze looks a little compressed, just like most of its competitors, but don't be fooled by its compact dimensions; Honda's carved out ample room, which is far more critical.
Related: Suzuki Dzire first drive
Interior
You'll find a refreshingly honest cabin inside the Amaze; practical family transport that doesn't pretend to be a luxury saloon but has all the necessary accoutrements.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and pairs easily with zero glitches. To the right sits a traditional instrument cluster with a 7.0-inch TFT display that shows the usual trip computer information. The steering wheel (not leather, however) feels solid in your hands and houses the typical audio and phone controls, plus paddle shifters to play with when the mood strikes; not something you see in this market segment often.
The 6-speaker audio system is average at best, but nobody expects Bowers & Wilkins in this price range.
The wireless charging pad is a nice touch for those with compatible phones, but it would not charge my iPhone for some reason. The two front USB ports (see below) are the USB-C type if the system doesn't play along, but there are no rear USB ports, so back-seat passengers should plan or bring a portable USB hub to plug into the 12V outlet. Ultimately, the Amaze is solidly built, and you're getting Honda quality throughout.
Space and Comfort
Keyless entry and walk-away locking make daily life that bit easier, but they were ineffective primarily; I had to dig for the keys in my bag while it rained, but I was in my weatherproof jacket, at least. Locking the doors by pressing the button on the door handle worked every time.
The CVT model also features remote start if you'd like to warm up or cool down the car before you enter, another feature you don't often cross paths with in budget cars.
Honda has fitted automatic climate control, a lovely touch in this price bracket. They've also thoughtfully added rear air vents so your passengers won't complain on hot days.
The fabric seats are comfortable enough for longer journeys, and there's a decent amount of space once you're settled in, especially in the back seat.
Front and rear armrests, plus rear seatback pockets, round out the practical touches. The Amaze's interior will not wow anyone at the country club, but it does the job without fuss to get the family about with decent comfort and convenience.
The boot is also one of the biggest in the segment at 416 litres, which holds eight bags of wood with room to spare. I couldn't believe that my mission to Kleinmond for firewood would be completed without even having to fold any seats flat.
The Drive
The combination of the Amaze's lithe little body and a peppy 1.2-litre engine ensures many happy commutes; on launch, I drove the manual model, but the automatic with its CVT is not sluggish. Honda's CVTs are mostly noisy, but you won't mind the drone too much if you realise it's not the engine taking strain.
The steering is light and easy – perfect for suburban streets and parking lots, but don't expect sporting pretensions. On the highway, it's stable enough, but overtaking requires a bit of planning. It won't put a wide grin on your face, but it won't frustrate you either.
Performance
With 66kW and 110Nm 4, the Amaze suits city driving, daily commuting, and relaxed highway cruising. It feels slightly more spritely than it is on paper. Its kerb weight is a mere 988 kg, helping with the power-to-weight ratio, but it still scores a rating of around 6 out of 10 at 89.6 hp/tonne. As someone who isn't obsessed with going places as quickly as possible and conserving fuel, I thought it was perfectly adequate.
Safety
The Amaze offers above-average safety features, with six airbags, hill-start assist, and stability control. Other features include ABS, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and Isofix. The rear bench has three 3-point seatbelts, not just a lap belt in the centre. Honda's ACE body structure (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) gives it the strongest safety foundation among its rivals.
Fuel Consumption
Honda says 5.5 L/100 km, but our average consumption (school runs in traffic, trips to neighbouring towns) averaged around 6.9 litres per 100 km. This translates to around 500 km per one full (35-litre) tank. Not bad, but not exemplary either.
Related: Safety features in the Kia Pegas
Price
Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend MT: R254,900
Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort MT: R274,900
Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort CVT: R294,900 (tested)
Competitors
The Amaze, in top-spec 1.2 Comfort CVT trim, goes up against the following small sedans
• Suzuki DZire 1.2 GL+ Auto: R266 900
• Kia Pegas 1.4 EX Manual: R303 995
• Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Executive Auto: R309 900
The Dzire is significantly cheaper but not as safe as the Amaze, and it also has one cylinder less. The Amaze feels more grown-up and sophisticated, with features that make daily driving more pleasant. Whether that's worth an extra R28 000 depends on how much you value your creature comforts; however, I would go with the entry-level Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend at R254 900; it is significantly cheaper and excellent. And, there is no noisy CVT, although a manual gearbox can be a pain if you find yourself in traffic often.
Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Kia Pegas
The Verdict
So, did the Honda Amaze sink or swim during the stormy Cape weather? It swam, though perhaps not with Olympic speed; more like a steady breaststroke that comfortably gets you to the other side of the pool.
If you want Honda safety and engineering, the Amaze is the car to buy in this segment.
