Honda Amaze Facelift: In the fiercely competitive compact sedan market of India, staying relevant requires consistent evolution rather than revolution.

Honda’s approach with the latest Amaze facelift exemplifies this philosophy, bringing thoughtful updates to a platform that has consistently delivered on the brand’s core values of reliability, refinement, and practicality.

Having spent a week with the refreshed Amaze across various driving conditions—from congested urban crawls to open highway stretches—I’ve developed insights into how these changes translate to real-world ownership experience beyond the glossy brochure specifications.

Honda Amaze Facelift: Design: Subtle Sophistication with Contemporary Touches

The visual changes to the facelifted Amaze strike a careful balance between familiarity and freshness.

Honda has wisely avoided the temptation to overhaul the design completely, instead focusing on key areas that elevate the overall aesthetic while maintaining the car’s established identity.

Up front, the most noticeable change is the redesigned grille, which now features a broader horizontal chrome bar that visually extends into the sleeker LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights.

This treatment creates a more cohesive and premium front-end appearance compared to the somewhat segmented look of the outgoing model.

The bumper has been resculpted with more pronounced contours that add visual interest without appearing busy or overdone.

The side profile remains largely unchanged, maintaining the well-proportioned silhouette that has always been an Amaze strength.

Unlike some sub-4-meter sedans that can appear somewhat truncated, the Amaze continues to present a balanced three-box design.

New alloy wheel designs (15-inch on higher variants, 14-inch on mid-spec trims) add a contemporary touch, with the top-end version sporting a machined two-tone finish that looks particularly upmarket.

Rear-end changes are more subtle, primarily limited to revised taillight internals with LED elements that create a distinctive light signature at night, and minor bumper tweaks that echo the more sculpted approach seen at the front.

A thin chrome strip connecting the taillights adds a touch of premiumness without appearing excessive.

The refreshed color palette deserves specific mention, with the new “Meteoroid Gray” metallic finish (replacing the previous “Modern Steel”) offering a contemporary alternative to the popular “Platinum White Pearl.”

These premium color options help the Amaze project a more upscale appearance than its price point might suggest.

Overall, the design updates are restrained yet effective, giving the Amaze a more contemporary presence without alienating existing customers or introducing polarizing elements that might age poorly.

It’s an evolutionary approach that aligns with Honda’s typically conservative design philosophy.

Interior: Improved Materials and Thoughtful Additions

Stepping inside the facelifted Amaze reveals more substantial changes than the exterior might suggest.

The basic dashboard architecture remains familiar, but material quality has seen noticeable improvements, particularly in areas that occupants regularly touch and interact with.

The most apparent upgrade is the new soft-touch insert that runs across the passenger side of the dashboard, featuring a stitched pattern that adds both visual and tactile interest.

This is complemented by piano black accents around the center console and updated silver trim elements that create a more contemporary ambiance.

The instrument panel retains its traditional twin-dial layout but features revised graphics and illumination that improve legibility.

Seat upholstery has been refreshed with a new pattern and improved bolstering that provides better lateral support without compromising on long-distance comfort.

The top-end variant offers leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, adding to the premium feel, while durable fabric upholstery remains standard across other trim levels.

The driver’s seat now gets height adjustment from the mid-spec variant upward—a welcome addition that improves the driving position for a wider range of body types.

Perhaps the most significant interior update is the new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (on VX and ZX trims) that replaces the previous unit.

The interface is more responsive, with improved graphics and functionality including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—addressing a key shortcoming of the previous system.

Physical controls for common functions flank the touchscreen, providing intuitive access to volume and track selection without diving into menus.

Practicality has always been an Amaze strength, and the facelift builds on this with thoughtful additions like a dedicated smartphone shelf above the USB ports, additional padding on the door armrests, and redesigned cupholders that better accommodate larger water bottles.

Rear seat comfort remains impressive for a car in this segment, with generous legroom, supportive cushioning, and adjustable headrests for all three positions in higher trims.

The 420-liter boot continues to be among the largest in the segment, easily accommodating multiple medium-sized suitcases with room to spare.

The 60:40 split-folding rear seat (on VX and ZX variants) enhances versatility when transporting longer items.

Powertrain Options: Refined Performance for Various Needs

The facelifted Amaze carries forward Honda’s proven powertrain options with minor refinements to enhance everyday usability:

The 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine remains the mainstay of the range, producing 90PS at 6,000rpm and 110Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.

This naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit delivers linear power delivery and excellent refinement, characteristics that align perfectly with the car’s urban-focused mission.

The engine is available with either a slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

During my testing, the petrol manual demonstrated eager response from low revs, making it well-suited to city driving, while highway cruising at 100km/h sees the engine spinning at a relaxed 2,500rpm in fifth gear.

The CVT option, while not sports-car responsive, provides smooth and seamless progress that takes the stress out of stop-and-go traffic.

Honda has refined the CVT’s calibration in this update, reducing the “rubber-band” effect during sudden acceleration demands.

Fuel efficiency figures remain impressive, with the petrol manual delivering 18-19km/l in mixed driving conditions during my week-long test.

The CVT returns approximately 1-2km/l less but compensates with superior convenience in urban environments.

Notably, Honda continues to offer the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine in the Amaze—an increasingly rare option as many manufacturers abandon diesel in the compact segment due to stricter emission norms and diminishing price advantages.

This four-cylinder unit produces 100PS and 200Nm (manual) or 80PS and 160Nm (CVT), delivering excellent low-end torque that makes light work of highway overtaking and fully-loaded driving.

The diesel engine, while slightly noisier than the whisper-quiet petrol, has benefited from additional sound insulation measures in this facelift.

Vibrations are well-controlled, and once at cruising speeds, the engine note settles to a distant hum rather than the agricultural clatter that characterized diesel engines of yesteryear.

Efficiency remains the diesel’s trump card, with real-world figures of 22-24km/l easily achievable in mixed driving conditions—particularly valuable for high-mileage users like interstate travelers and ride-share operators.

Ride and Handling: Comfort-Focused Competence

The Amaze has always prioritized ride comfort over sportiness, and the facelift continues this approach while introducing subtle refinements to the suspension tuning.

The basic architecture—MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear—remains unchanged, but revised damper settings provide better impact absorption over sharp bumps without increasing body roll during cornering.

During my week with the car, this translated to excellent urban ride quality, with the Amaze dispatching potholes, speed breakers, and broken pavement with minimal cabin disturbance.

Highway stability is confidence-inspiring, with the car tracking straight at triple-digit speeds without requiring constant steering corrections.

Handling is predictable rather than exciting, with progressive body roll when pushed hard through corners but no nasty surprises.

The electric power steering is light at parking speeds—a boon in tight spaces—while weighing up sufficiently at higher speeds to provide adequate feedback.

It’s tuned for comfort and ease of use rather than sporty response, aligning perfectly with the car’s intended purpose.

Braking performance is reassuring, with discs up front and drums at the rear providing consistent stopping power with good pedal feel.

The inclusion of ABS with EBD and Brake Assist as standard across all variants ensures panic stops remain controlled even in slippery conditions.

NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels have seen noticeable improvement in this facelift, with additional sound-deadening material in key areas reducing road and wind noise at highway speeds.

The petrol engine remains particularly refined, with a smooth, unobtrusive note even when pushed hard.

The diesel, while inherently more vocal, has benefited significantly from the improved insulation measures.

Technology and Features: Contemporary Conveniences

The facelifted Amaze addresses one of the key criticisms of the outgoing model by updating its technology offerings to meet contemporary expectations.

The aforementioned 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity represents the most significant upgrade, bringing the car in line with segment expectations.

Additional tech enhancements include:

• Push-button start with keyless entry

• Automatic climate control with rear vents

• LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights

• LED fog lamps and LED taillights

• Cruise control (on top variants)

• Tilt-adjustable steering with audio and phone controls

• Multi-information display in the instrument cluster

• Electrically adjustable and folding ORVMs with integrated turn indicators

• Reverse camera with multi-view functionality and parking sensors

Safety equipment has been bolstered, with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors standard across all variants. Higher trims add side and curtain airbags, bringing the total to six—a segment-leading feature.

The Amaze’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure provides improved crash protection compared to many competitors.

The connected car features, while not as extensive as some rivals, include geofencing, vehicle status, service reminders, and location tracking through the Honda Connect app.

These functions strike a balance between utility and simplicity without overwhelming users with features they may rarely use.

Comparative Analysis: Amaze Facelift vs. Key Competitors

This comparison highlights the Amaze facelift’s competitive positioning, with class-leading boot space, the option of a diesel engine with CVT (unique in the segment), and superior safety features in top variants serving as key differentiators against similarly priced rivals.

Key Strengths of the Honda Amaze Facelift

1. Superior Refinement: The Amaze offers noticeably better NVH levels and overall refinement compared to most competitors, creating a more premium driving experience.

2. Class-Leading Space: The combination of generous rear legroom and segment-leading 420-liter boot capacity makes the Amaze exceptionally practical for family use.

3. CVT Availability: The smooth CVT automatic option available with both petrol and diesel engines provides superior convenience compared to the AMT alternatives offered by most rivals.

4. Diesel Engine Option: The continued availability of a diesel powertrain caters to high-mileage users seeking superior fuel efficiency and torque.

5. Safety Credentials: Six airbags on top variants, combined with Honda’s ACE body structure, create a compelling safety proposition in a segment where this is increasingly important to buyers.

6. Build Quality: Solid construction and high-quality materials throughout the cabin reinforce Honda’s reputation for durability.

7. Balanced Ride and Handling: The well-judged suspension tuning strikes an excellent balance between comfort and stability, ideal for Indian road conditions.

Practical Ownership Considerations

The Amaze facelift benefits from Honda’s comprehensive after-sales network, which has expanded significantly in Tier 2 and 3 cities in recent years.

Service intervals are set at 10,000 km or one year, whichever comes first, with transparent pricing structures that help owners plan maintenance expenses.

Typical service costs range between ₹3,000-5,500 for petrol variants and ₹4,500-7,000 for diesel variants, depending on the service interval.

While these figures are slightly higher than some competitors, they reflect the quality of parts and lubricants used.

Honda’s reputation for reliability translates to strong resale values, partially offsetting the Amaze’s higher initial purchase price compared to some rivals.

This becomes particularly relevant for owners who change vehicles every 4-5 years, as the total cost of ownership often proves competitive despite the higher upfront investment.

Insurance costs benefit from Honda’s safety reputation and parts standardization, with annual comprehensive policies typically ranging from ₹12,000-18,000 depending on variant and location—competitive figures for the segment despite the car’s premium positioning.

Honda Amaze Facelift: Thoughtful Evolution of a Proven Formula

The Honda Amaze facelift represents a carefully considered update to a car that has consistently delivered on the brand’s core values.

Rather than pursuing headline-grabbing features or radical design changes, Honda has focused on addressing specific customer feedback points while enhancing the car’s existing strengths.

The improved infotainment system, updated interior materials, refined CVT calibration, and enhanced NVH measures directly address the most common criticisms of the outgoing model.

Meanwhile, the subtle exterior updates give the car a more contemporary appearance without compromising its broad appeal.

For buyers prioritizing refinement, space, and long-term ownership satisfaction over flashy features or aggressive pricing, the facelifted Amaze presents a compelling proposition.

Its balanced approach delivers a driving and ownership experience that often feels a class above its actual segment—a characteristic that has defined Honda products in India since the brand’s entry into the market.

In an increasingly crowded and competitive compact sedan segment, the Amaze facelift may not shout the loudest or offer the longest feature list, but it continues to excel in the fundamentals that matter most during years of ownership: comfort, reliability, efficiency, and practicality.

For discerning buyers who value these attributes, the refreshed Amaze deserves serious consideration despite its premium positioning within the segment.