After a three-year long fairly-successful run, the Honda Amaze has finally received a facelift, as well as new interiors. A three-year product cycle seems fair for the compact sedan segment, what with the intensity of competition. Moreover, the upcoming entry of Volkswagen, a slightly more premium carmaker in this segment is a compelling enough reason for Honda to up its game.
The facelift is most prominent in the front fascia. The smiling grille has been widened and implanted with a thick chrome band, much like the Mobilio. The front bumper of the previous Amaze has been replaced by a more aggressive, larger one, replete with huge faux air intakes with fog-lights and a new air dam. The rear receives reprofiled tail-lamps.
On the inside, the facelifted Amaze sports an all-new dash, similar to the one in the BR-V headed for India soon. Also, it uses press-buttons instead of touch controls though. Air-con vents are horizontal and sleek, like those of the Honda City. The two-tone dash looks better put-together on the whole. As compared to the mismatched styling of the earlier Amaze, all the elements appear well consolidated and neat. Silver accents on the dash are an elegant touch. The Amaze gets a new 3D instrument cluster, with a multi-information screen that displays ambient temperature and shift position among other things. It also gets new seat upholstery, a heat absorbing windscreen and Bluetooth audio streaming. Many titbits like the steering wheel design, gear lever and door-mounted controls are unchanged though.
This facelift also comes with enhanced safety and comfort features like the climate control, optional Honda Connect package, ABS as standard as well as dual airbags, which are optional in the base variant and standard thereafter.
The Amaze is still powered by the same 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engines, both of which are proven mills. The petrol option will now also be offered with an automatic CVT transmission. The facelifted sedan will be available in four variants – E, S, SX and VX. The CVT option will be available on the S and VX variants only.
The car will be priced between Rs 5.30 lakh and Rs 8.30 lakh for the petrol variants and Rs 6.42 lakh and Rs 8.20 lakh for the diesel (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda Amaze facelift prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Petrol
E MT – Rs 5,29,900
S MT – Rs 5,95,400
SX MT – Rs 6,80,500
VX MT – Rs 7,19,900
S CVT – Rs 7,19,900
VX CVT – Rs 8,19,900
Diesel
E MT – Rs 6,41,900
S MT – Rs 7,29,900
SX MT – Rs 7,82,000
VX MT – Rs 8,19,900