Are you in the market for a new car in India? We know how many things you juggle in your mind. From sticking to your budget and ensuring top-notch safety for your family, to understanding monthly maintenance costs, getting the latest features, and relying on excellent company service – it's a lot to consider. Well, what if we told you there's a car that ticks many of these boxes with a dash of style and practicality? Today, we're taking a deep dive into one such popular choice: the new Honda Amaze V CVT. Let's see if this compact sedan is the perfect fit for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

Under the bonnet of the Honda Amaze V CVT, you'll find a tried and tested 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine. This four-cylinder unit is known for its smooth operation and reliability.

• Engine Type: 1.2L i-VTEC Petrol
• Displacement: 1199 cc
• Max Power: 90 PS (at 6000 rpm)
• Max Torque: 110 Nm (at 4800 rpm)
• Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

This engine, paired with the seamless CVT, offers a relaxed driving experience, especially in city traffic where stop-and-go driving is common. It's efficient and refined, making your daily commute much more comfortable.

Design Overview

The Honda Amaze has evolved over the years, and the current generation boasts a mature and appealing design.

• Exterior Design: The Amaze features a bold and confident look.
  • Front: A prominent chrome grille gives it a premium feel, flanked by sleek headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). The sculpted bumper adds to its strong stance.
  • Side: The clean lines and well-proportioned silhouette make it look like a proper sedan, not a chopped hatchback. Stylish alloy wheels (depending on the variant) further enhance its appeal.
  • Rear: Wrap-around taillights and a subtle boot lid spoiler (on some variants) complete the sophisticated look.
• Interior Design: Step inside, and you are greeted by a well-laid-out cabin that prioritizes comfort and practicality.
  • Layout: The dual-tone interior (often black and beige) gives an airy feel, especially in the V CVT variant.
  • Dashboard: The dashboard design is ergonomic and functional, with all controls easily accessible.
  • Seating: The seats are comfortable, offering good support for both short city commutes and longer journeys. There's ample legroom and headroom for four adults, making it a good family car.
  • Quality: While largely functional, the interior uses decent quality materials for its segment.

Key Features

The Amaze V CVT comes packed with a good set of features that enhance convenience and comfort.

• 7-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System: Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
• Automatic Climate Control: Keeps the cabin temperature comfortable without manual intervention.
• Cruise Control: Makes highway driving less tiring.
• Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Key: For keyless entry and ignition.
• Paddle Shifters: Exclusively on the CVT variants, offering a more engaging driving experience by allowing manual control over gear ratios.
• Reverse Parking Camera with Multi-View: Helps in easy and safe parking.
• Steering Mounted Audio and Calling Controls: For convenience and safety.
• Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors).

Note: While many modern cars offer features like a sunroof, 360-degree camera, or wireless charging, the Honda Amaze focuses on core practicality and essentials for its segment.

What is the Ground Clearance of Honda Amaze?

The Honda Amaze offers a ground clearance of 170 mm. This is quite adequate for Indian road conditions, allowing it to tackle most speed breakers and uneven patches without scraping its underbelly.

What is the Boot Space of Honda Amaze?

The Amaze truly shines with its impressive boot space of 420 litres. This generous capacity is one of the best in its segment, making it an excellent choice for family trips or when you need to carry a lot of luggage.

What are the Dimensions of Honda Amaze?

The Amaze is a compact sedan, perfectly sized for both city driving and highway cruising.

• Length: 3995 mm
• Width: 1695 mm
• Height: 1500 mm
• Wheelbase: 2470 mm

Powertrain Options

The Honda Amaze is primarily offered with a single engine option but with two transmission choices:

• 1.2L i-VTEC Petrol Engine:
  • Paired with a 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
  • Paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – This is the focus of our review today, known for its smooth, clutch-free driving experience.

Safety Features

Honda has equipped the Amaze with a decent set of safety features to protect its occupants.

• Dual Front Airbags
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Rear Parking Sensors
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• High-Speed Alert System
• Driver and Front Passenger Seatbelt Reminders

NCAP Rating Table

Safety is a crucial factor, and the Honda Amaze has performed reasonably well in crash tests.

Note: The Global NCAP rating is for the second-generation Honda Amaze, which is the current model available in India. While a 4-star adult safety rating is commendable for its segment, the 1-star for child safety indicates room for improvement in that area.

Rivals of Honda Amaze V CVT

The compact sedan segment in India is quite competitive. The Honda Amaze V CVT goes head-to-head with:

• Maruti Suzuki Dzire (especially the ZXI+ AGS variant)
• Hyundai Aura (especially the SX Opt AMT variant)
• Tata Tigor (especially the XZA+ AMT variant)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Advantages (Pros):

• Refined Engine and Smooth CVT: The 1.2L i-VTEC petrol engine is smooth, and the CVT offers a very comfortable, jerk-free driving experience, especially in city traffic.
• Spacious and Comfortable Cabin: Ample legroom and headroom, making it a comfortable car for families.
• Massive Boot Space: With 420 litres, it easily swallows luggage for long trips.
• Honda Reliability and Service: Known for its strong build quality and widespread service network in India.
• Good Fuel Efficiency: The CVT variant offers competitive mileage figures, helping keep running costs in check.
• Paddle Shifters: A unique feature in its segment for the CVT, adding a touch of sportiness and control.
• Adequate Ground Clearance: Handles Indian road conditions well without concerns about scraping.

Disadvantages (Cons):

• Lack of Premium Features: Misses out on some modern features offered by rivals or desired by buyers, such as ventilated seats, rear AC vents (only floor mounted), a sunroof, or wireless charging.
• Interior Quality Could Be Better: While functional, some plastics feel a bit hard, and the overall premium feel could be improved compared to some competitors.
• Child Safety Rating: The 1-star Global NCAP rating for child occupant protection is a concern for family buyers.
• Road Noise: At higher speeds on highways, some road and wind noise can creep into the cabin.
• Engine Performance: While refined, the 1.2L engine can feel a bit underpowered during quick overtakes on highways when fully loaded.

Conclusion

The Honda Amaze V CVT is a highly practical and reliable compact sedan that holds its own in a tough market. It offers a winning combination of a smooth automatic transmission, impressive cabin and boot space, Honda's legendary reliability, and decent fuel efficiency. While it might not boast every single modern gadget or the highest child safety rating, it excels in being a comfortable, hassle-free daily driver and a dependable family car. If your priorities are a relaxed automatic driving experience, ample space for family and luggage, and peace of mind with ownership, the Amaze V CVT should definitely be on your shortlist. Test drive it to truly appreciate its balanced package and see if it resonates with your driving needs.