New Honda Amaze vs New Maruti Dzire – Which is Better?

The new Honda Amaze has finally been launched in India which warrants a detailed comparison with its rivals

In this post, I am comparing the new Honda Amaze with the new Maruti Dzire on the basis of specs, features, price, design and safety. Note that Honda is aiming to take a sizeable chunk of this popular market segment. It has been doing decently on the sales chart since its inception back in 2013. Over the years, there have been only a few thorough updates to the compact sedan. The aim is to grab some market share from the segment leader, the Maruti Dzire. Dzire is the most successful sedan in the country. Let us compare the two in depth.

New Honda Amaze vs New Maruti Dzire – Price

The new compact sedan is on sale in 3 variants – V, VX and ZX. Honda has priced the new Amaze from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10.90 lakh, ex-showroom. With this, it becomes the most affordable vehicle with ADAS in the country. Also, these are introductory prices valid for the first 45 days of the launch. Moreover, Honda is also offering a best-in-class 3-year/unlimited standard warranty which can be extended to 7 years/unlimited and an anytime warranty for up to 10 years. On the other hand, the Maruti Dzire retails between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh, ex-showroom. In this regard, the Dzire has a clear edge.

New Honda Amaze vs New Maruti Dzire – Specs and Mileage

Next up, let us compare the powertrain and transmission options on offer on these vehicles. The new Honda Amaze carries forward the same engine and transmission as the outgoing model. This means a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol mill which is good for 90 PS and 110 Nm of peak power and torque. This time around, it is an E20-compatible mill. Performing the transmission duties is either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. Honda claims a mileage of 18.65 km/l with the manual and 19.46 km/l with the automatic transmission. Furthermore, it has a ground clearance of 172 mm and a turning radius of 4.7 m.

On the other hand, the new Maruti Dzire borrows the powertrain from the latest Swift. This means a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z12E naturally aspirated petrol engine with mild hybrid technology which generates a healthy 82 PS and 112 Nm of peak power and torque. There are options of choosing between either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. However, the biggest talking point is the class-leading mileage figures of 24.79 km/l with the manual and 25.71 km/l with the AMT. Furthermore, the Dzire is even available with the CNG mill which generates 70 PS and 102 Nm with a mileage of 33.73 km/kg. In this case, buyers certainly have a lot of choices to satisfy their needs.

New Honda Amaze vs New Maruti Dzire – Interior and Features

It is clear that modern car buyers want the latest tech and convenience amenities in their vehicles. That is why carmakers equip their models with all the bells and whistles. In fact, new-age cars have become moving gadgets with all sorts of connectivity and safety features. Note that the Dzire boasts a full 5-star safety rating at the Global NCAP. Its in-cabin functionalities incorporate:

• 7-inch Infotainment Display with SmartPlay Pro
• Onboard Voice Assistant via “Hi Suzuki”
• Over-the-Air (OTA) System Upgrades Using Smartphones
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Auto AC
• Electric Sunroof (first-in-segment)
• Rear AC Vents
• Wireless Charger
• Rear USB Ports
• Rear Wiper & Washer
• Adjustable Rear Seat Headrests
• 6-Speaker Audio System
• 60:40 Split Rear Seat
• Keyless Entry with Push Start/Stop
• Luggage Room Lamp
• Electronic Stability Control
• 6 Airbags
• Hill Hold Assist
• ABS with EBD
• Electrically Foldable and Adjustable ORVMs
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• Engine Push Start/Stop Button w/ Smart Key
• Alexa Skill Connectivity
• Smartwatch Connectivity
• Rear USB Ports
• Steering-Mounted Audio Control
• 360-degree Camera (first-in-segment)

On the other hand, the new Honda Amaze comes with a few segment-first amenities along with tons of new-age features. The main highlights incorporate:

• 8-inch Floating Touchscreen Infotainment with HD IPS Display in All Variants
• 7-inch Semi-Digital TFT MID Instrument Cluster
• 416-litre Boot Space
• Digital AC
• Welcome Animation and Customization
• Honda Sensing ADAS Safety Tech (First-in-Segment)
• Class-Leading Rear Headroom and Legroom
• 6-speaker Premium Surround Sound System
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Paddle Shifters
• Honda Connect with 5 Years Free Subscription with over 37 Features
• Remote Engine Start with AC
• Bluetooth App Connectivity
• Wireless Charger
• Smart Keyless Entry with Walk-Away Lock
• Rear Armrest with Cupholders
• Rear AC Vents
• PM 2.5 Cabin Air Purifier
• 6 Airbags as Standard
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• Hill Start Assist
• Lane-watch Camera (First-in-Segment)
• 6 Colour Options
• Signature Package with Accessories (Optional)

Design and Dimensions

In terms of the design, Honda has done a decent job of offering a distinct appearance from the outgoing model, while keeping the overall silhouette the same. At the front, we see a City-like LED headlamp cluster which encapsulates LED DRLs. These sleek light consoles wrap a large radiator grille in between with chrome elements on the top and lower ends with the Honda logo in the centre. Down below, we see elegant fog lamp housings on the sporty bumper. On the sides, we see stylish 15-inch alloy wheels, black B-pillars and relatively creaseless door panels. At the rear, the new Amaze has a shark fin antenna, slim LED taillamps and a panel connecting them on either side. All in all, the new Amaze looks modern.

On the other hand, even the new Maruti Dzire bears a fresh outlook. At the front, there are sleek LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and a piano black panel between them, a colossal grille with horizontal stripes, a sporty bumper with fog lamps on either side and an upright stance. Moving down the sides, we see distinct 15-inch alloy wheels, creaseless door panels, chrome frames around the window, and black B-pillars. Note that the front and rear fascia are fresh, while the side section resembles the pre-facelift model. The tail end contains a shark fin antenna, a boot lid-mounted integrated spoiler, a tri-arrow pattern for the LED taillamps with a chrome belt in between and a rugged bumper. Both these possess individual road presence.

My View

Choosing between these two vehicles can be quite hard. Both these offer something distinct to the buyers. Also, their prices are still very competitive despite a small advantage for the Dzire. Still, it really depends on your personal preference for a particular brand. Objectively, if you want to save some buck and want a car with the latest amenities and segment-best mileage figures, or a CNG powertrain and 5-star safety rating, the Maruti Dzire should be your pick. However, if you want a slightly more powerful engine with a segment-first ADAS active safety suite, the Amaze should be your choice. In any case, you can’t go wrong with either of these.

Also Read: New Honda Amaze vs Hyundai Aura – Which Compact Sedan To Buy?