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 new Amaze is a huge step-up over the first-gen, be it in terms of size, comfort or premium feel. The interiors appear more upmarket, the seats more comfortable, and the equipment list almost matches that of its rivals. For those who are chauffeur-driven, the backseat is still the most comfortable place to be in (in its segment), but the absence of adjustable rear neck restraints and the tight headroom are disappointing. While the petrol engine is smooth and offers a satisfactory performance, it is the diesel that truly impresses when it comes to overall performance. The CVT paired with the diesel is outstanding; you get a respectable performance and the convenience of the smoothest-shifting automatic in that segment. It’s unfortunate that those looking for a CVT (with either engine) will miss a factory-fitted touchscreen and cruise control as it isn’t available in the top variant.

Where the Amaze falls short is with its sub-par cabin insulation and mediocre high-speed dynamics. However, despite these shortcomings, the new-gen Amaze is neatly packaged and as a city car, it is as good as it gets. And the diesel-CVT, an industry first, is certainly a feather in its cap.