2018 Honda Amaze: Variants Explained

The Amaze is still available in a choice of four variants but it gets an optional CVT gearbox in both petrol and diesel guisesfor the first time now

Honda has finally launched the new Amaze 2018 at prices ranging from Rs 5.60 lakh to Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). These are introductory prices available only to the first 20,000 customers. For the variants, there still are four choices: E, S, V and VX, and all four variants carry additional features that were missing in the outgoing Amaze. But which one of these variants syncs with your requirements? We find out.

VARIANTS	PETROL	DIESEL
E	5.59 lakh	6.69 lakh
S (CVT)	6.49 lakh (7.39 lakh)	7.59 lakh (8.39 lakh)
V (CVT)	7.09 lakh (7.99 lakh)	8.19 lakh (8.99 lakh
VX	7.57 lakh	8.67 lakh

Honda Amaze E - Too basic

• Dual airbags

• ISOFIX anchorages

• ABS with EBD

• Day/night IRVM

• Rear parking sensor

• Bottle holders on all doors

• All power windows with driver side one-touch operation

Missing basic features

• Body-coloured door handles and ORVMs

• Audio system

• Wheel covers

• Central locking

• Electrically adjustable ORVMs

• Rear defogger

It’s a base variant and feels like one too. The E variant just comes with features that tick off as bare minimum. It’s good to have day/night IRVM and all power windows but we would have liked to see Honda offer at least electrically adjustable ORVMs and central locking as standard. That would’ve meant just one major miss: audio system. But then buyers would have had the flexibility to get one fitted according to their budget from the aftermarket. The Amaze feels too plain in this variant and you should go for it only if you’ve shortlisted the Amaze and are on a tight budget as it will start feeling obsolete soon after.

Honda Amaze S - Fulfils all basic needs. The variant to go for if you’re on a budget

	PETROL	DIESEL
Additional amount over E	90,000	90,000
Additional amount for CVT	90,000	80,000

• Power-adjustable and folding outside rearview mirrors with integrated blinkers

• Body-coloured door handles and ORVMs

• Wheel caps

• Gear indicator (CVT only)

• Piano black and silver finish on the inside

• 2-DIN audio system with AUX, Bluetooth, USB and steering-mounted controls

• Four door speakers

• Central locking and keyless entry

• Front and rear accessory socket

• Tilt-adjustable steering

• Height-adjustable driver seat

• Adjustable front headrests

• Rear armrest with cupholder

Missing basic features

• Rear defogger

The S variant ticks all the basic features that are there in our books and some more. The Amaze S looks contemporary on the outside and the interiors feel premium because of the piano black and silver touches around the dashboard, AC vents and door trims. Also Read: 2018 Amaze Vs Maruti Dzire

The additional features it gets over the E variant at a price premium of Rs 90,000 is worth it since many of these features cannot be acquired from the aftermarket. We’d also go ahead to recommend this variant to those who’re on a budget and want the automatic. Getting a CVT for Rs 90,000 with petrol and Rs 80,000 with diesel is also worth the extra spend. In our opinion Honda has got everything right with the S variant, be it the equipment or the price.

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Honda Amaze V - Not for those buying the Amaze with manual transmission

	PETROL	DIESEL
Additional amount over S	60,000	60,000
Additional amount for CVT	90,000	80,000

• LED light guides

• 15-inch alloy wheels

• Front fog lamps

• Honda smart key

• Push start/stop button

• Climate control

• Bigger MID instrument console

• Rear windshield defogger

• Paddle shift (CVT)

• Front and rear mudguard

The extra goodies on offer on the V variant justify the incremental cost but we would have liked to see Honda offer a touchscreen infotainment system with rear parking camera and cruise control (at least with CVT) instead of features like push start/stop button, smart key and fog lamps. Since those looking for the premium car experience with the Amaze automatic don’t have an option yet, we’d sadly say go for this variant and get an aftermarket infotainment unit and parking camera. That would complete the package. For those who’re opting for the manual, there’s another variant.

Honda Amaze VX:

	PETROL	DIESEL
Additional amount over V	48,000	48,000

• 7-inch touchscreen (Digipad 2.0) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control

• Navigation system

• Rear camera

• Driver side window with one touch up/down and pinch guard

• Cruise control

The top-spec Amaze VX is priced at a premium of Rs 48,000 over V MT and whatever equipment you get with it justifies the incremental value. The big draw is the lag-free Digipad touchscreen system with multiple connectivity options. It gets all the features that you expect from a car that costs as much as it does. For those who’re buying the Amaze with the manual transmission, it’s better to opt for the VX variant instead of V. Related: New Honda Amaze 2018 vs Ford Aspire vs Tata Tigor vs VW Ameo: Spec Comparison

Honda Amaze Specifications

	PETROL	DIESEL
Engine	1.2-litre i-VTEC	1.5-litre i-DTEC
Transmission	5-speed MT/CVT (paddle shifts)	5-speed MT/ CVT
Power	90PS	100PS/ 80PS
Torque	110Nm	200Nm/ 160Nm
Efficiency	19.5kmpl/ 19kmpl	27.4kmpl/ 23.8kmpl

Source: cardekho.com