DRIVEN: New Honda Amaze arrives with better looks, high-value price tag
The new Honda Amaze is now available in South Africa.
Image: Supplied
Notwithstanding the somewhat ambitious name, the Honda Amaze has proven itself, through two generations, to be a somewhat solid and dependable entry-level product for that small segment of the market still seeking a saloon.
Admittedly this little Honda has never been much to look at, yet judging by the reaction to the third-generation model launched in South Africa this week, that is all set to change.
With its large honeycomb grille, standard dual-LED headlights and a tail section that strongly resembles the latest Ballade, the new Amaze drew many admiring glances at its launch event, held in Cape Town.
Also quite head-turning is the price tag, which starts just R1,000 north of the previous version, despite more features being fitted, and an upgraded service plan.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
As before, the new sedan measures just under four metres in length.
Image: Supplied
The line-up remains identical to the previous model, with the 1.2 Trend manual kicking things off at R254,900 and the 1.2 Comfort offering a few extra features for R274,000 as a manual and R294,900 in CVT guise.
15-inch alloy wheels feature as standard, with a silver finish on the Trend and a dual-tone colour scheme on the Comfort, which also gains LED front fog lights and a painted black grille.
With the Amaze retaining its familiar dimensions at just under four metres in length, and a 2,470mm wheelbase, cabin length remains as before, but the vehicle is now 38mm wider. Boot space is listed at 416 litres, which is impressive for a compact sedan.
The cockpit area has received a complete makeover, with smarter materials and a horizontal bar that stretches across the dashboard to resemble a full-length air outlet panel. It blatantly mimics the latest Civic's cockpit, albeit with a more basic material mix.
Both versions are fitted with a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen that juts above the dashboard, as well as a new 7.0-inch TFT driver display. Buyers can also look forward to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as automatic climate control, keyless entry and a four-speaker audio system.
The redesigned cabin looks smarter and gains a new touchscreen and TFT driver display.
Image: Supplied
In addition, the Comfort variant gains a 15W wireless smartphone charger, six-speaker audio system, push-button start, automatic headlight activation and steering wheel paddle shifters on the CVT. However, cruise control is not fitted to either of the models, nor are any of the ADAS driver assist features that are available on overseas models. Vehicle Stability Assist is standard, however.
Speaking of safety, the Trend is fitted with dual front airbags and the Comfort gains side and curtain crash bags.
What's it like to drive?
The Honda Amaze retains its predecessor's 1.2-litre normally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine, which delivers 66kW and 110Nm. Honda claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.5 litres per 100km for the new model.
Being an entry-level car, a bit of patience is required, and even on our coastal launch route the vehicle felt somewhat sluggish. That said, I did enjoy my time behind the wheel of the five-speed manual model with its slick-shifting action and well-spaced ratios.
The CVT version has received a few software upgrades, with seven programmed 'steps' designed to mimic gear changes, but these were hardly discernible in the vehicle we sampled .That noisy drone that is characteristic of continuously variable gearboxes was very much apparent in this vehicle, sometimes to the point of irritation while attempting to keep up with fast-paced traffic.
The manual, in my opinion, is a better drive, but with urban traffic seemingly denser by the day, it's understandable why more and more people would gravitate towards the auto version.
The suspension, being designed for Indian road conditions, is comfortable and compliant, as far as we could discern on the Western Cape launch route, which took us around the Peninsula towards Hout Bay. Conditions were wet and miserable, but the Amaze felt stable and offered sufficient grip even on the twistiest of sections.
VERDICT
Like its predecessor, the new Honda Amaze is a simple, solid and honest package, but the redesign makes it a lot nicer to look at, both inside and out, and the vehicle has also gained some modern new features.
As a further bonus, the service plan has been extended to four-years or 60,000km worth of coverage, up from two-years/30,000km.
The new Honda sedan is well worth a test drive, but will inevitably face stiff competition from Suzuki's new Dzire.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
8 hours ago
- eNCA
AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign gives hope to 1 000 schools and NGOs through trolley libraries
SPONSORED - The 1,000 beneficiaries of the 2025 AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign, in collaboration with Oxford University Press South Africa (OUPSA) are announced. The campaign is a nationwide trolley library initiative that continues to improve access to books in communities across South Africa, with a focus on schools and non-profit organisations (NPOs). The announcement was made at an event hosted at the Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg on 29 May 2025. The project addresses the ongoing challenges of low literacy and numeracy levels at the foundation phase by providing young learners with culturally and linguistically relevant materials in all 11 official written languages. This year's campaign reflects substantial growth from the 180 library trolleys distributed in its inaugural year, 2022. Each of the 1,000 mobile library includes 500 OUPSA books selected to support literacy and numeracy skills in alignment with the CAPS curriculum. The total number of books distributed this year will exceed 500,000, up from 250,000 in 2024. Speaking on a panel alongside Carl van der Riet (CEO of AVBOB Group), Karen Simpson (MD of OUPSA), Gugu Ndebele (Executive Director of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls), the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube remarked: 'This initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnerships. The campaign addresses a pressing national priority, the development of foundational literacy and numeracy, while supporting policy frameworks aimed at integrating diversity into school curricula. It does so in a way that honours South Africa's linguistic and cultural richness, ensuring that no child is left behind.' Simpson added that the partnership reflects the organisation's core belief that literacy is a foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity. 'Access to books in a learner's mother tongue has a profound impact on their ability to grasp foundational concepts, stay engaged in the classroom, and remain in the education system. We are steadfast on publishing our books in all of South Africa's official written languages, and the AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign enables us to place these resources directly in the hands of the learners who need them most.' Each trolley library is valued at R57,000, bringing the total investment for the 2025 campaign to R57 million. The trolleys are designed to be mobile, durable, and easy to access in shared or under-resourced learning environments. Along with books that promote reading for enjoyment, they include materials designed to develop numeracy, making the campaign one of the few national projects focused on both reading and mathematics at the foundational phase. The campaign also continues to grow in reach and engagement. This year's campaign received 8,661 nominations from across all nine provinces, submitted by educators, caregivers, community leaders and members of the public. Van der Riet said that although the campaign has grown substantially, its original purpose is to provide access to quality education materials, dignity and hope for a better future. 'Literacy and numeracy are academic skills and critical tools for participation, for opportunity, and dignity.' 'They are the building blocks of future learning and the means by which children are empowered to shape their own lives. The AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign embodies our belief that meaningful social investment must be both practical and purpose-driven.' He added that AVBOB, as a mutual society, exists for the benefit of its members and the wider community. 'At AVBOB, giving back to communities is more than a commitment — it's a core part of who we are. We remain deeply guided by our founders' promise of always putting people first, a principle that continues to be the golden thread in everything we do. Through the AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign, we aim to support underserved communities in a way that uplifts and empowers them, while respecting their dignity and fostering lasting impact.' Adding to this sentiment during the 29 May 2025 panel discussion, Ndebele said, 'We believe that education is the most powerful tool for changing a learners' future. Literacy unlocks confidence, agency and opportunity. We are inspired by this initiative's focus, and we hope it will ignite a lifelong love of reading in every child who encounters one of these trolley libraries.' Since 2022, the campaign has evolved from a pilot initiative into one of the most extensive mobile library programmes in the country. Educational experts have long advocated for mother tongue instruction at the early stages of schooling. Research has consistently shown that when children learn to read in their home language, they are more likely to stay in school, perform better academically, and transition successfully to additional languages later in life. Despite this, access to books in African languages remains limited, especially in underfunded schools. The Road to Literacy campaign helps address this gap, ensuring that the joy of reading, and the practical foundation of numeracy, is not restricted by geography or circumstance. Editor's notes: The complete list of the 1,000 beneficiaries of the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign are as follows:
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
‘You call this leadership?': DA's Liam Jacobs grills SAFA president Danny Jordaan over travel expenses
Democratic Alliance's (DA) member of the portfolio committee on Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, has grilled SAFA president Danny Jordaan on whether he is a responsible leader, over costly travel expenses. Image: Facebook/Liam Jacobs Democratic Alliance (DA) MP and member of the portfolio committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Liam Jacobs, who's known for his tough line of questioning, grilled SAFA President Danny Jordaan over his leadership and travel expenses. The clash occurred during a briefing on SAFA's 2023/24 annual report, which included audited financial statements and governance issues. Jacobs began his questioning by asking Jordaan, 'Do you believe in the concept of democracy? Can you please put your microphone on when you respond?' Jordaan replied, 'I'm a product of a struggle for democracy...' Jacobs continued, asking whether Jordaan respected the concept of democracy and if he understood the importance of term limits. Jordaan, who appeared caught off guard, said, 'You're asking me a question that is self-evident,' He added, 'I understand it. I was here as a member of Parliament.' Jacobs then pressed Jordaan on his long tenure as SAFA president. 'Are you aware that you are one of the longest-serving presidents of any football association on the planet?' Jordaan responded, 'It's not true,' prompting Jacobs to fire back, 'Twelve years, almost...' As tensions rose, Jordaan interjected, 'I'm still busy with my interrogation here... They must ask the questions and answer. Just order. Now he's engaging me now.' Committee Chairperson Joe McGluva intervened, urging members to allow questions to be asked and responses to follow in an orderly manner. Fellow committee member PA Marlon Daniels objected to Jacobs' conduct, particularly pointing his finger at Jordaan. 'What I witnessed here is not right. It is absolutely rude for a child to have that kind of conduct toward someone old enough to be his father,' Daniels said. McGluva then asked Jacobs to apologise for the gesture if it had occurred. 'I apologise for that,' Jacobs said. Daniels also withdrew the remark calling Jacobs a 'child.' 'I'm terribly sorry. I forgot I'm not at home where I deal with my children like that. So I withdrew...' Meanwhile, Jacobs continued with his line of questioning. 'Do you consider yourself a responsible leader?' Jordaan initially appeared hesitant but ultimately responded, 'The response was yes, Honourable Jacobs.' Jacobs then raised concerns over Jordaan's travel expenses, saying, 'In my hands, as I sit here, I have got something I know you don't think I have.' He mentioned trips, including a R131,000 trip to Ivory Coast and London, two visits to Qatar costing R56,000 and R31,000, and a trip to Vietnam for the Oceania Congress from September 29 to October 3, 2023.' 'What are we as South Africans doing in Vietnam at an Oceania Congress of an organisation that only has 13 members thousands of kilometres away?' Jacobs asked. He also mentioned trips to Cameroon for R105,574 and Morocco for R82,833, questioning the value of such spending amid SAFA's financial strain. However, Jordaan defended the Vietnam trip, saying it was related to South Africa's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup. 'You may know, or you may not know, that South Africa made a bid for hosting the Women's World Cup. The CEO was with me. Tumi Tlamini was with me,' Jordaan said. 'Do you have their costs there? Do you have their flight tickets there? This is a campaign.'
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Slow and steady growth: GDP expands by 0.1%
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased marginally by 0.1% during the first quarter of 2025, following an increase of 0.4% in the previous quarter. Despite the sluggish expansion, the South African economy continues clawing back ground lost from the blow of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw GDP drop to a low of R954b in the second quarter of 2020 to R1 170b in the first quarter of 2025. 'The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 15.8%, contributing 0.4% to the positive GDP growth. This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for horticulture and animal products. 'The transport, storage and communication industry increased by 2.4%, contributing 0.2%. Increased economic activities were reported for land transport, air transport and transport support services,' Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said today. According to the institution, finance, real estate and business services increased by 0.2%, adding 0.1% to the GDP. 'Increased economic activities were reported for insurance and pension funding and auxiliary activities. 'The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 0.5%, contributing 0.1%. Increased economic activities were reported for retail trade, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages,' Stats SA said. On the decrease was the manufacturing industry, which contracted by 2%. 'Seven of the 10 manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates. The largest negative contributions were reported for the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products; food and beverages; and motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment divisions. 'The mining and quarrying industry decreased by 4.1%, contributing -0.2%. The largest negative contributors were platinum group metals.' Expenditure on GDP Household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) is also on the rise – increasing by 0.4% and contributing 0.3% to total growth. 'The main positive contributors to the increase in HFCE were expenditures on transport [1.1% and contributing 0.2%], food and non-alcoholic beverages [0.5% and contributing 0.1%], restaurants and hotels [1.4% and contributing 0.1%], 'other' [0.6% and contributing 0.1%] and health [0.8% and contributing 0.1%]. 'The negative contributors were expenditures on recreation and culture, communication and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Final consumption expenditure by general government decreased by 0.1%. This was mainly driven by decreases in compensation of employees and purchases of goods and services. 'Gross fixed capital formation decreased by 1.7%, contributing -0.2%. The negative contributors to the decrease were residential buildings [-5.8% and contributing -0.6%], machinery and other equipment [-1.4% and contributing -0.6%], construction works [-2.8% and contributing -0.5%] and transport equipment [-3.1% and contributing -0.3%],' Stats SA said. Exports and imports Exports and imports also presented mixed results during the first quarter. 'Net exports contributed negatively [-0.3%] to expenditure on GDP. Exports of goods and services increased by 1%, largely influenced by increased trade in vegetable products, vehicles and transport equipment, excluding large aircraft and mineral products. 'Imports of goods and services increased by 2%, largely influenced by increased trade in chemical products, mineral products and machinery and electrical equipment,' the statement concluded. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
