The Honda Amaze certainly meets its equipment levels in the Trend derivative, says Wheels24's Leigh-Ann Londt.
The word 'Amaze' is suited to this vehicle, due to its affordability and comfortable drive. It features Honda's front design with spot lights, which is quite unique and stylish in its own way.
At the rear is a roof-mounted sharkfin antenna, and a third, high-mounted brake light.
The front-wheel drive model is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder motor and pushes out 66kW and 110Nm. Buyers have an option of either the 1.2 Trend manual version, or 1.2 Comfort manual or a CVT model; all fitted with the same engine.
The Trend model which we have on long-term test in the Wheels24 garage, is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the option of CVT in Comfort trim.
Not only is the Amaze an ideal car for small families, but it has its benefits when it comes to fuel consumption, too. The manual-transmission achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.6-litres/100km, claimed by the automaker.
Image: Leigh-Ann Londt
GALLERY:| Honda Amaze 1.2 sedan
The engine itself is rather quiet and refined, and delivers enough performance expected from a vehicle in this segment. After 3000rpm the Amaze comes into its own and is not shy to flex some muscle. Noted, if you are someone with a heavy foot this is not the car for you. Instead, it's much more suited to the more passive driver.
The Amaze has a comfortable ride quality and its suspension holds up well; seeing that very little deterred the city car's 175/65 R15 tyres.
The interior welcomes you with a cloth upholstery in beige colour with a black gloss dashboard. It is so spacious, and you are able to seat five passengers comfortably.
Image: Leigh-Ann Londt
It has a user-friendly steering wheel allowing you to skip through your music and pump up the jams on your journey. The four-speaker audio system comes with an MP3 player, Bluetooth, AUX, USB, which allows hands-free phone calls, and your standard AM/FM radio stations.
Another feature is central locking and as you leaving a destination, all doors lock on its own for safety. Auto-folding mirrors is another function for those tight spaces that you need to squeeze into or even to protect your mirrors while it is parked in public.
The cabin storage includes pockets in all four doors with cupholders in the centre console, while a fold-down armrest in the rear also incorporates cup holders for when you have two passengers at the back with you. The boot capacity is claimed to be best in its class with 420 litre of space - a real boot (pun intended) when shopping's your thing.
Image: Leigh-Ann Londt
The Amaze is a perfect model for rental companies too, as well as Uber drivers looking for a suitable vehicle to go into the business of transporting passengers in a stylish, compact sedan.
Overall, I am impressed with Honda delivering this spacious, comfortable, and affordable sedan that I find to be a well-suited fit for first time families, or young drivers like myself in South Africa.
Pricing
R179 900 - 1.2 Trend
R208 900 - 1.2 Comfort CVT