Competition check: Honda Amaze

Honda had updated the Amaze just over a year ago. But with the competition changing the game, Honda has acted rather quickly to bring in the all-new Amaze with a fresh, sharper design, more equipment and a diesel automatic. Starting at a price tag of Rs 5.59 lakhs for the base petrol, the Amaze goes all the way to Rs 8.99 lakhs for the fully loaded diesel automatic. So we check out how the Amaze stacks up against the long list of direct competitors we have here.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

The Dzire is the king of the compact sedan segment that was pioneered by the Tata Indigo CS. From a Swift with a boot, the Dzire has grown to be a complete sedan designed to be one from the drawing table itself. With its fuel economy and space, the Dzire is an offer not many can refuse. The new Amaze is built on a new platform with a longer wheelbase which means it will again be a class-leader in terms of interior space. Also, the diesel-CVT combination is a segment first and should appeal to buyers who seek premium.

Hyundai Xcent

The revamp of the compact sedan segment started with the new Xcent that launched in 2017. Moving away from its plain-Jane looks, the Hyundai Xcent was the first compact sedan to get in exciting styling. The Amaze probably exceeds the Xcent in terms of styling with the Honda taking inspiration from its bigger cousin, the City. The Amaze has better power figures in both petrol and diesel variants and is known for its linear power delivery which should work in its favour.

Tata Tigor

The Tata Tigor stands at the budget end of the compact sedan segment and with Honda realigning itself as a premium car maker, the Amaze is at the other end of the spectrum, with its touch-panel AC unit, The Tigor might match the Amaze in terms of cabin space, but the Amaze has better mechanicals, more power and of course, the fully automatic CVT gearboxes rather than the AMT units.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire is amongst the less flamboyant compact sedans, yet a silent performer. But that is going to change soon. Ford is already working on its update that will add some funk to the design to make sure it gets attention. Based on the Ford Figo, the Aspire is one of the best handling cars in the segment but the Amaze outstrips the Aspire on almost all fronts, including cosmetics which now have LED DRLs and LED turn indicators.

Volkswagen Ameo

The Volkswagen Ameo has been around in the Indian car market for over two years now and just like the Polo, it keeps getting regular updates while minimal changes are made to the design. It is compact, understated and the polar opposite of what the Amaze is. The Ameo offers dual-clutch gearboxes with both the petrol and diesel options acing over the CVTs of the Amaze.