Honda Amaze Facelift : Honda has officially launched the comprehensively updated Amaze in the Indian market, bringing substantial refinements to one of the country’s most popular compact sedans while reinforcing its position in the fiercely competitive sub-four-meter segment.
The Japanese manufacturer has strategically timed this significant facelift to coincide with the festive season, when automotive purchases traditionally surge across the country, ensuring maximum visibility for the refreshed model.
Industry observers have noted that Honda appears to have listened carefully to customer feedback, addressing specific areas for improvement while enhancing the vehicle’s strengths in design, comfort, and driving dynamics.
Automotive analysts predict the updated model could potentially reinvigorate Honda’s sales figures in the compact sedan category, which has faced increasing pressure from the growing popularity of similarly priced compact SUVs in recent years.
The refreshed Amaze arrives in showrooms immediately, with Honda dealers reporting strong initial interest based on preliminary customer inquiries and the model’s established reputation for reliability and refinement.
Sophisticated Exterior Transformation
The most immediately noticeable change comes in the completely redesigned front fascia featuring a more prominent chrome bar that extends across the width of the nose, creating a stronger visual connection to larger Honda sedans including the City and Accord.
This sophisticated grille is flanked by sleeker LED projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights – a premium feature previously unavailable on the Amaze that instantly modernizes its appearance while improving visibility and safety.
The front bumper adopts a more sculpted approach with restyled fog lamp housings and a wider air intake, replacing the somewhat conservative design of the outgoing model with more dynamic styling that enhances road presence.
Profile changes remain more subtle but include newly designed 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on higher trims that add a touch of sophistication while maintaining the balanced proportions that have defined the Amaze’s appeal.
The rear receives thoughtful updates including redesigned LED taillights with a distinctive C-shaped light signature, a subtle trunk lid spoiler on premium variants, and a more sculpted bumper with reflector elements that create a wider visual impression.
A refreshed color palette introduces several appealing new options including Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and the particularly striking Radiant Red – providing greater personalization possibilities to suit various tastes.
Premium Interior Enhancements
The cabin receives significant attention with a completely redesigned dashboard featuring a more contemporary layered design with improved materials, silver accents, and piano black trim elements that create a decidedly more upscale environment.
The centerpiece of this redesigned dashboard is a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity – a substantial upgrade from the previous model’s wired-only implementation.
This advanced infotainment system now includes voice recognition capabilities, allowing drivers to control various functions through natural speech commands without removing their hands from the steering wheel.
Instrument cluster design evolves with a new multi-information display offering expanded functionality, including turn-by-turn navigation prompts, real-time fuel efficiency data, and maintenance reminder information in a more legible format.
Seat upholstery receives a welcome upgrade with premium beige leather on top trims, while lower variants benefit from improved fabric patterns with more attractive stitching and better resistance to everyday wear.
The steering wheel adopts a more sophisticated three-spoke design wrapped in leather on higher specifications, featuring integrated controls for audio, phone, and voice command functions with improved tactile feedback.
Climate control now features a digital display on premium variants, replacing the traditional rotary dials with a more contemporary interface that enhances both functionality and visual appeal.
Rear passengers benefit from thoughtful additions including a center armrest with cupholders, adjustable headrests for all three seating positions, and dedicated mobile phone pockets on the front seatbacks.
Enhanced Technology Integration
The technology package receives comprehensive enhancements with the addition of wireless charging capability for compatible smartphones – an increasingly expected feature that eliminates the need for cables in the cabin.
USB connectivity expands with the addition of Type-C ports alongside traditional USB-A connections, acknowledging the evolving device ecosystem while ensuring compatibility with both older and newer electronics.
The premium audio system now features six speakers rather than the previous four, delivering noticeably improved sound quality across various music genres with enhanced clarity and bass response.
Honda’s Smart Key System with push-button start becomes available on middle trims rather than solely on top-end variants, bringing this convenient feature to a broader range of buyers.
The rearview camera gains dynamic guidelines that adjust based on steering input, significantly improving parking precision in tight spaces – a particularly valuable feature given the Amaze’s popularity in congested urban environments.
Cruise control joins the feature list for the first time, reducing driver fatigue during extended highway journeys while helping maintain consistent speeds for improved fuel efficiency.
Refined Driving Experience
The trusted powertrain options continue with the 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine producing 90 horsepower and the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel delivering 100 horsepower, though both receive calibration refinements for improved responsiveness and efficiency.
Transmission choices remain the smooth-shifting 5-speed manual and the refined CVT automatic, with the latter receiving updated software for more natural acceleration feel and reduced drone during steady-state cruising.
Suspension tuning has been revised with updated damper settings and bushings that maintain the Amaze’s composed ride quality while reducing impact harshness over sharp road imperfections – a thoughtful enhancement for Indian road conditions.
Noise, vibration, and harshness levels see noticeable improvement through additional sound insulation in the firewall, doors, and floor pan, creating a quieter cabin environment particularly appreciated during highway journeys.
Steering calibration receives attention with a slightly quicker ratio and revised assistance mapping that improves both responsiveness during cornering and ease of operation during parking maneuvers.
Comprehensive Safety Enhancements
The safety architecture expands with the addition of electronic stability control and hill start assist on higher variants, providing enhanced control during emergency maneuvers and when starting on inclines.
Airbag protection now includes standard dual front airbags across all variants, with side and curtain airbags available on premium specifications – creating a more comprehensive safety cocoon for occupants.
ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist features come standard across the range, ensuring predictable stopping power even in challenging conditions.
The body structure incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) philosophy with strategic reinforcements that enhance crash protection while maintaining efficient packaging.
ISOFIX child seat anchors appear on all variants, providing secure attachment points for compatible child restraints – an important consideration for young families.
Competitive Positioning and Value
Honda has implemented a measured price increase ranging between ₹15,000-30,000 depending on variant, reflecting the substantial feature enhancements while maintaining the Amaze’s competitive position in the compact sedan segment.
The updated model continues in multiple trim levels including the value-focused E, mid-range S, and feature-rich VX variants, allowing buyers to select the equipment level that best matches their requirements and budget.
Despite the premium enhancements, the refreshed Amaze maintains its reputation for exceptional fuel efficiency with petrol variants delivering approximately 18-19 km/l and diesel options achieving impressive 24-25 km/l figures under typical driving conditions.
Honda Amaze Facelift Conclusion
The comprehensively updated Honda Amaze represents a thoughtful evolution that enhances the compact sedan’s appeal through meaningful design, feature, and refinement improvements while maintaining its core virtues of reliability and efficiency.
By addressing specific customer feedback points while introducing premium features previously unavailable in this segment, Honda has ensured the Amaze remains a compelling option despite growing competition from compact SUVs.
For urban dwellers seeking a sophisticated, feature-rich sedan with proven reliability and strong resale value, the refreshed Amaze establishes itself as perhaps the most well-rounded option currently available in the compact sedan segment.