Honda Amaze Facelift: The morning rush hour on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway unfolds with its characteristic chaos—a sea of vehicles jostling for space in the perpetual race against time.
Amidst this urban symphony, a Platinum White Pearl Honda Amaze glides through a rare gap in traffic, its refreshed facade catching the early sunlight.
Behind the wheel, 34-year-old financial analyst Aditya Sharma navigates with practiced precision, occasionally glancing appreciatively at the redesigned dashboard.
“I upgraded from the previous Amaze,” he explains during a brief pause at a traffic signal. “The differences aren’t dramatic, but they’re exactly where they needed to be. It feels more premium now, more complete somehow.”
Aditya’s assessment perfectly encapsulates Honda’s approach to the recent Amaze facelift. In a segment where dramatic reinvention often proves risky, Honda has instead opted for thoughtful refinement—enhancing the sedan’s strengths, addressing its weaknesses, and carefully elevating its overall proposition without altering the fundamental character that has helped the Amaze carve a distinct identity in India’s fiercely competitive compact sedan market.
Honda Amaze Facelift Evolution in Design Language
The most immediately apparent changes to the Amaze come in its exterior styling, where Honda’s designers have implemented a series of subtle but effective updates that collectively modernize the sedan’s appearance while maintaining its recognizable silhouette.
The front fascia receives the most substantial revisions, with a redesigned grille that abandons the previous model’s chrome-heavy horizontal slats in favor of a more sophisticated mesh pattern framed by a sleeker chrome strip.
This revised grille integrates more harmoniously with the sharpened headlamps, which now feature LED projector units on higher trim levels along with distinctive LED daytime running lights that create a more premium light signature.
“The front-end redesign represents a more mature evolution of Honda’s current design language,” explains automotive design consultant Vikram Menon.
“Where the previous Amaze sometimes appeared overly chrome-laden in an effort to appeal to traditional Indian preferences, this update shows more restraint and sophistication. It acknowledges that Indian consumer tastes are evolving toward more international aesthetic sensibilities.”
The bumper has been resculpted with more pronounced contours and revised fog lamp housings, creating greater visual depth without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Along the sides, new alloy wheel designs (15-inch on top variants, 14-inch on mid-spec models) feature two-tone machined finishes that add a touch of visual interest while maintaining the sedan’s balanced proportions.
Rear styling changes are more subtle but equally effective in modernizing the overall appearance. The bumper receives minor contouring adjustments, while the taillights retain their basic shape but incorporate revised internal elements that create a more distinctive lighting signature at night. A subtle chrome strip connecting the taillights adds width to the visual composition without appearing excessive.
Color options have been refreshed to include contemporary choices like Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl alongside traditional options such as Radiant Red and Lunar Silver.
These new paint formulations feature enhanced depth and metallic content, further elevating the sedan’s appearance particularly in changing light conditions.
Cabin Refinement: Addressing the Fundamentals
If the exterior changes represent evolutionary styling updates, the interior revisions address more fundamental aspects of the ownership experience—specifically material quality and technological integration, areas where the previous Amaze occasionally drew criticism despite its structural strengths.
The dashboard retains its basic architecture but receives significant enhancement through improved materials and thoughtful design adjustments.
Upper surfaces now feature a soft-touch padded material with subtle stitching details on higher trims, while the central portions incorporate a more convincing brushed-aluminum-effect finish in place of the previous silver-painted plastic. Lower dashboard and door panel materials remain durable hard plastics, appropriate for a vehicle in this segment and price point.
“Honda has been remarkably strategic with the interior updates,” notes automotive interior specialist Priya Joshi. “They’ve concentrated the premium materials precisely where occupants interact most frequently—touchpoints like the steering wheel, gear selector, and upper door panels. This creates an impression of overall quality improvement while maintaining cost-effectiveness, a clever approach in this price-sensitive segment.”
The most significant interior upgrade comes in the form of a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (standard on all but the base variant) that represents a substantial improvement over the previous unit.
This system now features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, improved screen resolution, and a more intuitive interface with physical shortcut buttons flanking the display for essential functions.
Voice command functionality has been expanded to control more vehicle systems, while the system’s processor delivers noticeably faster response times.
Seating comfort, already a strength of the previous model, has been further enhanced through revised cushioning with improved bolstering up front and a more supportive rear bench.
Top variants now offer leatherette upholstery with contrast stitching, while mid-range models feature upgraded fabric with more contemporary patterns.
Small but meaningful additions include rear air conditioning vents (now standard across the range) and a USB-C port complementing the standard USB-A outlet, acknowledging the evolving charging needs of modern devices.
Storage solutions—a traditional Honda strength—have been further refined with redesigned door pockets that better accommodate larger water bottles, a reconfigured center console with dedicated smartphone space, and a new sunglass holder integrated into the roof console on higher trims. These thoughtful touches enhance everyday usability without requiring significant structural changes.
Mechanical Refinement: Enhancing the Proven
Under the hood, Honda has maintained the Amaze’s proven powertrain options while implementing targeted refinements that address specific areas for improvement. The 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine continues to produce 90 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque, while the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel generates 100 horsepower and 200 Nm (80 horsepower and 160 Nm with the CVT).
Rather than altering these fundamental specifications, Honda’s engineers have focused on enhancing refinement through revised engine mounts that reduce vibration transmission to the cabin, improved sound insulation materials strategically placed around the firewall and floor pan, and aerodynamic tweaks that reduce wind noise at highway speeds.
“The mechanical updates follow Honda’s typical philosophy of continuous improvement rather than dramatic overhaul,” explains automotive engineer Rahul Mehta.
“The previous powertrains were already competitive in terms of performance and efficiency. What they’ve done is address character-related aspects—reducing diesel clatter, improving petrol NVH at higher revs, and generally making good engines feel more refined in everyday operation.”
Transmission options remain unchanged with a 5-speed manual standard across both engines, while the CVT automatic continues as an option for both powertrains.
The CVT calibration receives minor software updates that reduce the “rubber-band” effect during moderate acceleration, creating a more direct feel without compromising the efficiency benefits that make this transmission type particularly well-suited to urban driving conditions.
Ride quality—already a strength of the previous model—has been further enhanced through recalibrated dampers that provide better absorption of sharp impacts like potholes and speed breakers without compromising high-speed stability.
The electric power steering receives a revised mapping that increases resistance progressively with speed, addressing feedback that the previous system felt somewhat light at highway velocities.
Braking performance benefits from revised pad compounds that improve initial bite while reducing brake dust accumulation on the wheels. The ABS calibration has been fine-tuned specifically for Indian road conditions, providing more effective modulation on surfaces with variable grip levels—a thoughtful regionalization that acknowledges the diverse road qualities encountered across the country.
Technology Integration: Connecting the Experience
Beyond the aforementioned infotainment upgrades, the Amaze facelift introduces Honda Connect telematics services across higher trim levels, bringing connected car functionality to this segment of Honda’s lineup for the first time.
This system enables remote monitoring of vehicle location, geofence alerts, service reminders, and trip analysis through a dedicated smartphone application.
Safety technology has been enhanced with the inclusion of electronic stability control and hill start assist on automatic variants, complementing the already comprehensive package that includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard across all trims. A multi-angle rearview camera is now available on higher specifications, providing additional assistance during parking maneuvers in tight urban spaces.
“The technology updates reflect an understanding that even in the compact sedan segment, modern buyers expect meaningful connectivity and safety features,” observes technology analyst Deepak Joshi.
“Honda has been selective in which technologies to implement, focusing on those that provide genuine everyday utility rather than simply adding features for marketing purposes.”
Market Positioning: Finding Distinction in Competition
The refreshed Amaze enters an intensely competitive landscape dominated by established players like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura, along with newer entrants such as the Tata Tigor.
Within this environment, Honda has positioned the updated Amaze as a slightly premium offering, justifying a small price premium through superior refinement, Japanese engineering reputation, and now-enhanced feature content.
With prices ranging from approximately ₹6.5 lakh to ₹11.5 lakh (ex-showroom), the Amaze occupies the upper spectrum of the compact sedan segment without straying into territory that would put it in direct competition with larger sedans like Honda’s own City.
This positioning acknowledges the reality of the Indian market, where many buyers prioritize maximum features and space within a specific budget range rather than necessarily seeking the smallest possible vehicle.
“Honda has been quite strategic with the Amaze’s positioning,” notes automotive market analyst Vikram Gaikwad. “Rather than attempting to compete directly with the Dzire on pure value or with the Aura on feature count, they’ve established a distinct identity built around refinement, driving experience, and overall quality perception.
It’s a differentiation that appeals particularly to slightly more experienced buyers who’ve owned one or two cars previously and have developed more specific preferences.”
This positioning is reflected in the revised trim structure, which simplifies the previous lineup while ensuring that even mid-range variants offer features that support the premium positioning.
The base E variant serves primarily as a price-leader, while the S, V, and VX trims offer progressively more comprehensive equipment levels with minimal option packages—a straightforward approach that contrasts with the sometimes complex variant structures of competitors.
Ownership Experience: The Honda Advantage
Beyond the product itself, the Amaze benefits from Honda’s established reputation for customer service and ownership experience. The company has expanded its service network to over 320 facilities across 220 cities, significantly improving accessibility in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets where the Amaze finds considerable demand.
Service costs remain competitive despite the premium positioning, with scheduled maintenance intervals set at 10,000 kilometers—longer than some competitors and reducing the overall ownership burden.
Honda’s transparency regarding service pricing (published openly on their website) continues to differentiate the ownership experience in a segment where unexpected maintenance costs can significantly impact overall customer satisfaction.
“The ownership experience represents an increasingly important differentiator as the products themselves achieve greater parity,” explains customer experience consultant Anjali Desai.
“Honda has recognized that aspects like service convenience, cost transparency, and dealer interactions matter tremendously in the overall value equation, particularly for value-conscious buyers in this segment.”
This holistic approach extends to the purchase experience itself, with revised showroom layouts featuring dedicated Amaze display areas that highlight the model’s key attributes.
Digital integration allows potential customers to configure their preferred variant and color combination on interactive displays, while augmented reality applications enable visualization of features not physically present on showroom models.
Honda Amaze Facelift Conclusion: Meaningful Enhancement Over Revolution
As Aditya completes his morning commute, easing the Amaze into his reserved parking space, he reflects on the sedan’s updated character. “It’s still fundamentally the practical, efficient car that made sense when I bought my first Amaze,” he observes.
“But now it feels like it’s grown up a bit—more refined, more sophisticated. The changes aren’t revolutionary, but they address exactly the things that occasionally bothered me in the previous model.”
This assessment captures the essence of Honda’s approach to the Amaze facelift. Rather than pursuing radical reinvention in a segment where reliability and predictability remain core virtues, they’ve delivered a carefully calibrated set of improvements that collectively elevate the ownership experience without compromising the established strengths that built the model’s reputation.
In an automotive landscape increasingly characterized by bold styling statements and feature-list one-upmanship, there’s something refreshingly honest about Honda’s approach.
The updated Amaze doesn’t pretend to reinvent the compact sedan formula or dazzle with gimmickry. Instead, it focuses on tangible, everyday benefits—reduced NVH, improved material quality, enhanced connectivity—that genuinely improve the ownership experience.
This philosophy of meaningful enhancement over marketing-driven revolution speaks to a deep understanding of what compact sedan buyers truly value. While crossovers and SUVs