Honda Amaze Buyers' Questions And Answers: Upgrade From Swift to Amaze, Amaze instead of compact SUV
Question 1: Arjun, from Chennai asks.
Hi, I'm 35 and work in sales field at Chennai. We are a family of four. Chennai's road conditions have a lot of potholes, flooding during monsoons, and heavy traffic on Anna Salai and Mount Road; So, would a sedan like the Honda Amaze be a better fit for daily commuting compared to a small SUV? How is mileage, handling, and ease of parking in busy areas on the Amaze compared to small SUVs? One more question is, which option offers better safety and interior comfort for family outings around Chennai?
CarToq's answer:
Hello Arjun, the Honda Amaze suits Chennai's conditions well as a sedan, offering better handling and parking ease than small SUVs due to its compact 3,995 mm length and 172 mm ground clearance. This should be helpful in navigating across tight spots and potholes while also avoiding the higher center of gravity that makes SUVs experience body roll, etc.
Fuel efficiency stands at 18.65-19.46 kmpl (ARAI), and the Amaze outperforms most small SUVs like the Venue or Sonet (15-17 kmpl), with lower running costs from its 1.2L i-VTEC engine (89bhp, 110Nm). Handling is precise, and the low center of gravity helps. The 416L boot fits family outings as well.
Safety is now top class, and the 5-star Bharat NCAP adult rating (six airbags, ADAS in top variants), matches or exceeds sub-4 meter SUVs. Interior comfort includes rear AC vents that should be very useful in Chennai heat. Small SUVs provide better ground clearance but fuel costs will be higher. But please do go and test drive the Amaze back to back with sub-4 meter compact SUVs. This will allow you to make an informed decision.
Question 2: Vikram, from Bangalore, asks
I work as an IT manager in Bangalore. I'm 40, with a wife and two kids. I've been driving my trusty old Maruti Swift for the past eight years - it's been reliable and fun but it's ageing rapidly. Some issues I have started facing are rattles and squeaks on bad roads. How does the Honda Amaze drive differently compared to my Swift? I plan to use it mainly in Bangalore's heavy city traffic, on outer ring road, and also drive to Mysore on weekends. Should I go ahead with the Amaze or wait for some other car? Will the Amaze be a 'proper' upgrade? I'm also concerned about resale value.
CarToq's answer:
Hey Vikram, swapping that Swift for an Amaze will feel like you are moving from economy class to business. Leg room is a lot more, and the Amaze also rides better. It's more plush than the Swift, and also will be rattle-free for longer as it's a Honda: generally built to last.
Driving-wise, the Amaze will be more refined and composed to the Swift: its 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine (89 bhp, 110 Nm) delivers smoother power delivery. It's a four cylinder engine compared to the new Swift's 3 cylinder Z-Series engine. Finally, the Amaze's longer wheelbase (2470mm vs Swift's 2450mm) will be more comfortable for those on the back seat.
The plush suspension should also soak up potholes better. Tech and comfort upgrades? The Amaze comes with a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, rear AC vents, and a quieter cabin. Overall, it will definitely feel like an upgrade.
Coming to resale value, Honda cars have good resale value because they are generally very reliable and fuss-free to own and maintain. But we advise you to keep a car for 8-10 years if you really want to minimize depreciation. Selling cars in 3-4 years leads to poor resale due to high depreciation in the initial years.
Question 3: Rohan from Pune writes.
I'm Rohan from Pune. Just got married recently, and I work in the software sector. Looking to buy my first car. Both me and my wife know driving and will be driving the new car. Is the Amaze a good pick for a young couple? We are looking at the automatic version as traffic in Pune is getting worse. We both have office transport. So, the car will be mainly used during weekends for city driving and a highway trip maybe once or twice a month.
The Honda Amaze excels in comfort and spaciousness for a young couple, offering a generous 420-litre boot that easily swallows weekend luggage. It offers supportive front seats with good under-thigh support for those longer 2-3 hour drives. Rear space is more than enough for two adults. So, road trips with your friends or parents will be quite comfortable as well.
One more thing is, it doesn't have the 'taxi' image associated with the Maruti Dzire. So, it's a more premium choice. The 1.2 liter VTEC engine and CVT gearbox is great in the city. But on the highway, you will have to plan your overtakes well. This is a relaxed gearbox meant for comfort and fuel efficiency and not spirited driving. Another good thing about the new Amaze is that it just scored a 5 star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. Go ahead, take a test drive with your better-half. And let us know what you feel!