2018 Honda Amaze launched at Rs 5.60 lakh

After much anticipation, Honda has launched the second-gen Amaze in India, with prices starting at Rs 5.60 lakh for the base E trim and going up to Rs 9.00 lakh for the top-spec diesel VX (both prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). The compact sedan has launched in four variants – E, S, V and VX – all of which get dual front airbags, ABS, Isofix child-seat mounts and rear parking sensors as standard. The prices are introductory, and are expected to increase after the first 20,000 bookings.

A highlight of the new compact sedan is in the powertrain department. While the 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel engines are unchanged, as is the five-speed manual, the diesel engine now gets the option of a CVT automatic, just like the petrol did on the previous-gen model. However, the output figures on the diesel-CVT combo have been reduced by 20hp and 40Nm, taking total output to 80hp and 160Nm of torque. ARAI rated fuel efficiencies for the variants are 19.5kpl for the petrol-manual, 19.0kpl for the petrol-automatic, 27.8kpl for the diesel-manual and 23.8kpl for the diesel-automatic.

While the CVT automatic is not available on the top-spec VX trim, the version gets equipment such as a 7.0-inch infotainment system with capacitive touchscreen, GPS with turn-by-turn navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a reverse camera, steering-mounted voice controls and cruise control. The mid-spec S and V trims also get the CVT option, with the latter also getting paddleshifters along with kit like LED daytime-running lamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, keyless go with push-button start, automatic climate control and a rear defogger.

In terms of design, the Amaze borrows styling cues from its larger siblings like the City and the Accord, particularly the grille and face. A striking-looking sedan, the new Amaze’s rear sits more flush than the outgoing one’s, which looked like an afterthought.

The new model is also significantly lighter and now weighs between 905kg and 1,039kg (compared to 940-1,075kg for the previous-gen model). It is bigger as well and is 5mm longer (at 3,995mm), 15mm wider (at 1,695mm) and has a wheelbase that is 65mm longer (at 2,470mm) than the previous version. This has helped liberate more room on the inside, with Honda claiming and increase of 45mm, 10mm and 25mm for shoulder room, rear headroom and distance between the front and rear seats, respectively. Luggage space has also increased by 20 litres and now stands at 420 litres.

Honda is the third brand to offer a diesel-automatic combination in this segment, with Maruti being the first with the Dzire AMT and Tata following with the Zest. At this price point, the Amaze is about the same price as rivals like the Hyundai Xcent (Rs 5.46-8.57 lakh), Maruti Suzuki Dzire (Rs 5.56-9.43 lakh) and Ford Aspire (Rs 5.71-8.46 lakh) (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). However, while the top-spec diesel-CVT Amaze undercuts the top-spec Dzire AMT by more than Rs 40,000, it misses out on kit like a touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, a revrese camera and cruise control, which are available on the top-spec VX manual variant.