2018 Honda Amaze review, road test

With an increase in size and premium appeal, the new Amaze is a very competent compact sedan.

Published on Sep 13, 2018 06:00:00 AM

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Big improvement in terms of build, quality and fit-finish of the interiors over the first-gen Amaze.

In terms of comfort and space, this has the nicest backseat in its class.

The Amaze is softly sprung and the travel range of the suspension is quite long. While this results in good bump absorption over broken roads, it crashes over sharper ones. Although ground clearance is rated at 170mm, with a full load of passengers, the rear suspension compresses quite a bit (just like the old Civic), so the car is susceptible to scraping its underbelly over speed breakers. At higher speeds, the Amaze bobs a bit more than usual over expansion joints and vertical movements over wavy surfaces are noticeable.

Ride over bad roads is absorbent, but it tends to crash over sharp potholes.

Its steering has some weight to it, more in the diesel than the petrol, and while it remains consistent, it isn’t very precise. The turn-in isn’t sharp like its rivals and it doesn’t feel agile or willing to change direction quickly. Understeer (or the car’s tendency to continue in a straight line despite turning the steering) is noticed a fair bit when driven briskly. Body roll is on the higher side, again as a result of the softer suspension set-up. What’s nice though are the brakes that offer great feedback and inspire confidence while shedding speed.