With SUVs dominating the market, compact sedans like the Honda Amaze and Maruti Dzire continue to fight for relevance. Both have received significant updates in their latest generations, emphasizing safety, technology, and driving dynamics. But which one stands out? We compare their petrol-automatic variants to find out.
Design and Dimensions
The Amaze embraces Honda’s latest design language, borrowing elements from the Elevate and City, with a clean yet sophisticated look. It features a higher ground clearance (172mm vs. 163mm) and a longer wheelbase, making it appear more planted. The Dzire, on the other hand, sports a bold Audi-inspired grille, sleeker LED headlights, and a more premium presence. While the Dzire is slightly taller, the Amaze offers a more rugged stance.
Interior and Comfort
The Amaze follows a minimalist yet ergonomic design approach, with a beige-black theme adding an airy feel. Its part-analogue, part-digital instrument cluster and well-placed controls enhance usability. However, front seat support could have been better, whereas the rear seats provide good comfort and whiplash protection with fixed headrests.
The Dzire’s cabin feels more spacious, complemented by a light color scheme and premium textured elements. It gains an edge with a larger 9-inch touchscreen, a sunroof, and broader, well-cushioned seats that enhance overall comfort. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from extra headroom, thanks to the scooped-out roof. While both cars offer ample storage, the Amaze’s 416-litre boot is more practical than the Dzire’s 382 litres.
Features and Pricing
The Amaze CVT is priced between ₹9.35 lakh – ₹11.20 lakh, while the Dzire AMT comes in significantly lower at ₹8.34 lakh – ₹10.19 lakh. Both top variants share key features like LED headlights, 15-inch alloys, wireless charging, climate control, and six airbags. However, the Dzire offers a sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a larger infotainment display. The Amaze justifies its premium with paddle shifters and an advanced ADAS suite, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking.
Performance and Driving Experience
The Amaze is powered by a 1.2L four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 90hp and paired with a CVT for a smooth, refined drive. It accelerates faster than the Dzire, completing 0-100 km/h in 13.12 seconds. However, the CVT exhibits the typical rubber-band effect under hard acceleration.
The Dzire, now equipped with a 1.2L three-cylinder Z12E petrol engine (82hp), focuses on low-end torque and city drivability. However, its 5-speed AMT lags with noticeable shift delays, impacting driving pleasure. Despite this, the Dzire has a higher top speed of 170 km/h compared to the Amaze’s 148 km/h.
Fuel Efficiency and Ride Quality
Maruti’s stronghold on efficiency continues, with the Dzire returning a real-world average of 15.41 km/l, compared to the Amaze’s 13.28 km/l. The Dzire also benefits from an automatic engine start-stop system, enhancing fuel savings in city conditions.
In terms of ride quality, the Amaze’s suspension handles road undulations well but feels bouncy at high speeds. The Dzire, with its softer setup, provides a plusher ride, particularly in urban conditions. However, for those who enjoy driving, the Amaze’s steering feels sharper and more responsive.
Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Both sedans have their strengths. The Honda Amaze offers a more engaging drive, smoother transmission, and safety-focused ADAS features. However, it falls short in seat comfort and refinement.
The Maruti Dzire, despite its jerky AMT, excels in cabin comfort, efficiency, and value for money. With a lower price tag, superior fuel economy, and better feature set, the Dzire proves to be the more well-rounded choice, making it the winner in this comparison.
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