Honda Amaze Facelift: In the fiercely competitive compact sedan segment, staying relevant requires constant evolution. Honda seems to have taken this lesson to heart with the newly launched Amaze facelift, which brings substantial updates to a model that has been a steady performer in the Japanese manufacturer’s Indian portfolio.
The refreshed Amaze arrives with sharpened styling, upgraded interior appointments, enhanced technology features, and refined mechanicals that collectively aim to elevate its appeal among increasingly discerning Indian buyers.
Having spent time with the vehicle at its launch event, we can confidently say that Honda has done more than just apply superficial changes—they’ve meaningfully improved a package that was already quite compelling.
Honda Amaze Facelift Design Refinements: Sharpening the Aesthetic
The Amaze has always maintained a balanced visual presence that avoids the awkward proportions that sometimes plague sub-four-meter sedans.
The facelift builds on this strength with targeted updates that lend a more upmarket appearance without radical departures from the established design language.
Most notable is the completely redesigned front fascia, which now features a wider, more prominent grille with horizontal slats finished in dark chrome.
This is flanked by sleeker headlamps that incorporate LED projector units on higher trims, along with redesigned LED daytime running lights that create a more distinctive light signature.
The front bumper has been resculpted with sharper lines and now houses larger fog lamp enclosures with C-shaped chrome garnishes that visually widen the stance.
“Our design team focused on creating a more sophisticated and mature appearance,” explains Takahiro Watanabe, Chief Designer for the Amaze project. “We wanted to maintain the essential Honda design DNA while giving the Amaze a more premium presence on the road.”
The side profile remains largely unchanged, preserving the well-proportioned silhouette that has served the model well. However, new 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels (on VX and ZX trims) add a touch of visual flair, while body-colored door handles with chrome accents on premium variants enhance the upscale feel.
At the rear, updated tail lamps now feature LED light guides that create a more distinctive appearance, especially at night. The bumper has been revised with more prominent reflector elements and a subtle diffuser-like lower section. A shark-fin antenna replaces the conventional pole type on higher variants, contributing to the more contemporary overall appearance.
Three new color options join the palette: Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and the particularly striking Obsidian Blue Pearl that was previously exclusive to higher-end Honda models. These join the carried-over colors, bringing the total options to seven and offering greater personalization possibilities.
Cabin Enhancements: Addressing the Fundamentals
The interior has received equally thoughtful attention, addressing some of the criticisms leveled at the outgoing model while building on its inherent strengths.
The basic architecture remains familiar, but material quality shows noticeable improvement, particularly on touch points like the steering wheel, gear lever, and door armrests.
The dashboard now features a soft-touch upper section with contrast stitching on top-spec variants, while the piano black center console has been expanded to create a more cohesive appearance.
Seat upholstery has been upgraded across the range, with the top ZX trim receiving a new premium beige leather treatment with contrasting stitching that significantly elevates the cabin ambiance.
Perhaps the most welcome change is the new 7-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, which replaces the previous unit with a higher-resolution display that’s both more responsive and more visually appealing.
This system now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, addressing a key competitive disadvantage of the outgoing model.
The user interface has been completely redesigned with more intuitive menus and sharper graphics that reduce the learning curve for new users.
“Customer feedback was central to our interior updates,” notes Rajesh Kumar, Honda Cars India’s Vice President of Product Planning. “We heard clearly that owners wanted better connectivity options and more premium feel, so those areas received particular focus during development.”
The instrument cluster has also been revised, now featuring a 4.2-inch color multi-information display between the analog speedometer and tachometer.
This screen provides a wealth of information including fuel economy data, range estimation, trip information, and turn-by-turn navigation prompts when using the infotainment system’s navigation function.
Practical improvements haven’t been overlooked either. The door pockets have been reshaped to better accommodate 1-liter bottles, while a new phone shelf with integrated wireless charging (on ZX trim) addresses the modern necessity of keeping devices powered.
Rear passengers now benefit from dedicated AC vents and a USB charging port—features that were conspicuously absent in the previous model and have become essential expectations in the segment.
Spatial efficiency, always an Amaze strength, remains excellent. Despite its sub-four-meter external dimensions, interior room continues to impress, particularly rear legroom and trunk space, which remains class-leading at 420 liters.
Small refinements to the front seatback design have yielded an additional 15mm of knee room for rear passengers, a modest but thoughtful improvement.
Feature Expansion: Technology and Convenience Upgrades
Beyond the cosmetic and material improvements, the Amaze facelift receives a substantial technology upgrade that brings it in line with segment expectations and, in some areas, pushes beyond them.
The aforementioned infotainment system forms the centerpiece of these enhancements, now offering Honda Connect connected car features that include geofencing, vehicle location services, remote engine start (for automatic transmission variants), and service reminders.
A new smartphone app allows owners to remotely monitor and control various vehicle functions, an increasingly popular feature among tech-savvy buyers.
Convenience features see meaningful expansion, with automatic climate control now standard from the mid-spec S variant upward. The automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers previously limited to the top trim now appear on the V variant as well, while cruise control makes its debut on automatic transmission versions of the VX and ZX trims.
The ZX variant receives several segment-first features, including ventilated front seats—a particularly welcome addition given India’s climate—and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
A premium six-speaker sound system replaces the previous four-speaker setup, delivering noticeably improved audio quality with enhanced bass response and clearer high frequencies.
Safety equipment has been bolstered across the range, with all variants now featuring dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard.
The VX and ZX trims add side and curtain airbags, bringing the total to six, along with vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, and a multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines. ISOFIX child seat anchors are now standard across all variants, addressing a previous oversight.
Mechanical Refinements: Subtle but Meaningful
While the Amaze facelift doesn’t receive all-new powertrains, Honda engineers have implemented numerous refinements to improve the driving experience.
The familiar 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine continues to produce 90 PS and 110 Nm of torque, but now features updated engine management software that Honda claims improves fuel efficiency by approximately 5%.
More noticeable are the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) improvements achieved through additional sound insulation in the firewall, doors, and floor.
Wind noise at highway speeds has been reduced thanks to improved door seals and thicker front window glass. The overall result is a noticeably quieter cabin, particularly at cruising speeds between 80-100 km/h where the previous model exhibited some wind and road noise intrusion.
The 5-speed manual transmission receives revised shift linkage for more precise gear changes with shorter throws, while the CVT automatic benefits from recalibrated software that reduces the characteristic “rubber-band” effect during moderate acceleration. Both transmissions now feature improved clutch and torque converter damping respectively, further enhancing refinement.
Suspension tuning has been subtly revised, with slightly firmer damping that improves high-speed stability without significantly compromising the compliant low-speed ride that suits Indian road conditions.
The electric power steering has also been recalibrated for better on-center feel at highway speeds while maintaining light effort during parking maneuvers.
Braking performance shows improvement thanks to larger front ventilated discs (now 14 inches, up from 13) and re-engineered brake booster that reduces pedal travel and improves modulation.
The rear drum brakes remain unchanged but benefit from revised friction materials that reduce brake dust accumulation without compromising stopping power.
Fuel efficiency, always a Honda strength, sees marginal improvement. The manual petrol variant now claims 18.6 km/l (up from 18.3), while the CVT offers 18.0 km/l (previously 17.8). While these gains are modest, they help maintain the Amaze’s competitive position in an increasingly efficiency-conscious market.
Variant Structure and Pricing: Strategic Positioning
The refreshed Amaze continues with Honda’s established trim structure, albeit with some reconfiguration to improve value propositions. The lineup starts with the entry-level E variant, followed by S, V, VX, and the range-topping ZX trim.
Pricing starts at ₹6.32 lakh for the base E petrol manual and extends to ₹9.79 lakh for the top-spec ZX petrol CVT (all prices ex-showroom). This represents a modest increase of approximately ₹15,000-25,000 over the outgoing model, depending on variant—a reasonable premium given the enhanced feature content and quality improvements.
Honda has been strategic with feature distribution across the range. The mid-spec V variant, expected to be the volume seller, now includes several features previously limited to higher trims, including the 7-inch touchscreen, LED headlamps, and alloy wheels. This creates a more compelling proposition at the crucial ₹8 lakh price point where much of the segment’s sales volume resides.
The VX trim introduces most of the safety enhancements and connected features, while the ZX adds the luxury touches like leather upholstery, ventilated seats, and the premium audio system. This tiered approach allows Honda to cater to different buyer priorities while maintaining clear differentiation between variants.
Market Positioning: Fighting in a Challenging Segment
The compact sedan segment has faced increasing pressure from similarly priced compact SUVs, which often offer the perception of more space and presence for similar money.
Honda’s approach with the Amaze facelift seems calibrated to emphasize the practical advantages that sedans still maintain—superior efficiency, better dynamics, and typically more refined driving experience—while addressing the feature and technology gaps that have sometimes pushed buyers toward crossovers.
Direct competition comes from established players like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, and Tata Tigor. The Dzire remains the segment leader with its unmatched fuel efficiency and extensive service network, while the Aura offers an extensive feature list at competitive prices. The Tigor counters with distinctive styling and aggressive pricing.
The refreshed Amaze positions itself as the more premium option in this group, with superior build quality, refinement, and now, feature content that justifies its slight price premium. Honda seems to be banking on an increasingly sophisticated buyer base that values these attributes over pure utilitarian considerations.
Driving Impressions: Refined and Composed
A brief driving opportunity at the launch event confirmed that the mechanical refinements, though subtle individually, collectively create a noticeably improved driving experience. The petrol engine remains responsive and eager to rev, with a particular sweet spot between 3,000-4,500 rpm where it feels most energetic.
The revised manual transmission shifts with greater precision, though the CVT impresses more with its improved responsiveness off the line and reduced drone during steady acceleration. For urban driving conditions, the automatic makes a compelling case despite its slight efficiency penalty.
Ride quality continues to impress, with well-judged damping that absorbs typical urban road imperfections without fuss. The firmer setup becomes apparent only on sharper high-speed bumps, where the previous model might have felt slightly more compliant.
This trade-off seems worthwhile given the improved stability at highway speeds, which adds confidence during lane changes and long-distance cruising.
Steering feel, while still electrically assisted and therefore somewhat synthetic, offers better weighting and more consistent response around the straight-ahead position.
Combined with the tauter suspension, this makes the Amaze more engaging to drive on winding roads than its overtly commuter-focused competitors.
NVH improvements are immediately noticeable, particularly the reduction in road and wind noise above 80 km/h. The overall refinement now approaches that of vehicles from the segment above, creating a more premium driving experience that aligns with Honda’s brand positioning.
Honda Amaze Facelift Conclusion: Meaningful Evolution Rather Than Revolution
The Honda Amaze facelift represents a thoughtful update to an already competitive package. Rather than chasing headlines with dramatic styling changes or gimmicky features, Honda has focused on addressing specific customer pain points while enhancing the model’s inherent strengths of space efficiency, refined powertrain, and solid build quality.
The exterior updates succeed in creating a more sophisticated appearance, while the interior improvements directly address previous criticisms regarding feature content and material quality.
Mechanical refinements, though subtle, collectively enhance the driving experience in meaningful ways that owners will appreciate during daily use.
In a segment where progress often comes through incremental improvement rather than radical reinvention, the refreshed Amaze strikes a balance between familiarity and advancement.
It remains recognizably an Amaze—practical, efficient, and well-built—but now with an extra layer of sophistication that better aligns with evolving consumer expectations and strengthens its position against increasingly capable competitors.
For Honda, which has faced challenges in other segments of the Indian market, the improved Amaze represents an opportunity to reinforce its position in a category where it has historically performed well.
Whether these enhancements will be sufficient to significantly move the sales needle remains to be seen, but they unquestionably result in a more compelling and complete product that deserves serious consideration from compact sedan buyers.