I spent a full month with the Honda Amaze over the December holidays in Cape Town, which meant proper, real-world driving. Think beach days, crazy festive traffic, quick city pick-ups and longer coastal drives. By the end of the month, the Amaze had quietly settled into my routine, and that, in many ways, says everything about this car.
It’s not trying to impress you with drama or design gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on being easy to live with, and it does that very well.
First impressions
The Amaze has a clean, understated look. It’s compact without feeling cheap, and neat without trying too hard. In Cape Town, where parking can be tight and traffic constant, its size is immediately reassuring. I never once felt flustered squeezing into a space or navigating narrow streets.
Inside, the cabin is simple and well laid out. Everything is where you expect it to be, visibility is good, and the overall feel is functional rather than flashy. It’s not luxury, but it’s honest – and there’s something refreshing about that.
On the road
Power comes from a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with Honda’s i-VTEC technology, producing 66 kW and 110 Nm of torque, paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic. On paper, the numbers are modest, and on the road the Amaze feels exactly as expected – calm, predictable and easy-going.
Around town, it’s a pleasure to drive. The steering is light, the car feels nimble, and stop-start holiday traffic never felt like hard work. On the open road, it cruises comfortably and feels stable, even if it’s not particularly eager when you put your foot down. This isn’t a car for aggressive overtaking, but it’s confident enough for everyday highway driving.
One of the biggest stand-out moments over the month was fuel consumption. Despite a lot of mixed driving, the Amaze remained impressively light on fuel, which made December driving – and December fuel bills – far less painful.
Comfort-wise, the Amaze punches above its weight. There’s good space up front, and the boot easily handled beach bags, shopping and weekend luggage. It’s a car that fades into the background in the best possible way – you stop thinking about it because it simply does what it’s meant to do.
Show me the money, honey
Ownership costs also feel sensible. In South Africa, pricing starts in the mid-R250 000 range and stretches to just under R300 000 depending on the specification. Honda backs this up with a five-year or 200 000 km warranty, along with a service plan of around four years or 60 000 km, plus roadside assistance – all of which adds to the Amaze’s appeal as a long-term, no-stress option.
What I Liked
Excellent fuel efficiency
Easy, stress-free city driving
Compact but practical size
Comfortable for daily use and longer drives
Solid warranty and ownership package
Simple, reliable engineering
Considerations
Modest performance, especially when overtaking
Interior is functional rather than premium
Not particularly engaging for enthusiastic drivers
Final thoughts
The Honda Amaze isn’t trying to be exciting, and that’s exactly its strength. After a month of living with it through Cape Town’s festive chaos, I appreciated how little it demanded from me. It’s dependable, economical and quietly competent.
If you’re looking for a sensible, fuel-efficient sedan that fits seamlessly into everyday life without fuss, the Amaze makes a very convincing case.
