Honda Amaze Facelift: Honda Cars India has finally taken the wraps off the much-anticipated facelift of its popular compact sedan, the Amaze. The refreshed model, which marks the first major update since 2021, brings sharper styling, enhanced features, and surprisingly, a new hybrid powertrain option. With deliveries set to commence next month, Honda aims to rejuvenate interest in the sedan segment that has been increasingly overshadowed by SUVs.
Striking Exterior Changes That Turn Heads
The 2025 Amaze facelift immediately distinguishes itself from its predecessor through a completely redesigned front fascia. The chrome-heavy grille has been replaced by a sleeker, more angular design that shares family resemblance with the new City. Slimmer LED headlamps with distinctive daytime running light signatures flank the grille, while the front bumper features more aggressive contours and larger fog lamp housings.
“We’ve given the Amaze a more upmarket appearance without compromising its identity,” says Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO of Honda Cars India, during the unveiling ceremony in New Delhi. “Every panel from the A-pillar forward has been redesigned to create a more premium and sophisticated stance.”
In profile, the Amaze retains its balanced proportions, though new 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels add a touch of sportiness. The rear gets subtly revised LED tail lamps with a new light signature and a mildly tweaked bumper with more pronounced reflector elements. Three new exterior colors join the palette – Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red, and the striking Urban Blue that was showcased at the launch event.
Cabin Updates Focus on Quality and Technology
Step inside the refreshed Amaze, and you’ll notice Honda has addressed one of the few criticisms of the outgoing model – interior quality. Soft-touch materials now adorn the dashboard and door pads, while the seat fabric has been upgraded with a more premium texture and better bolstering.
The most notable addition is the new 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that replaces the previous 7-inch unit. This system now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while also serving as the display for the 360-degree camera system that’s available on higher variants – a first in the segment.
“Today’s customers expect their vehicles to seamlessly integrate with their digital lives,” explains Kunal Behl, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “The updated infotainment system not only offers better connectivity but also enhances everyday usability with features like voice commands and over-the-air updates.”
The instrument cluster has also been revamped, featuring a 4.2-inch color multi-information display flanked by analog dials. Higher trims get automatic climate control with rear AC vents, a wireless charging pad, and ambient lighting – features that push the Amaze closer to cars from a segment above.
Hybrid Powertrain Makes a Surprising Debut
Perhaps the most significant update lies under the hood, where Honda has introduced its e:HEV hybrid technology to the Amaze lineup. Available exclusively on the top-spec ZX trim, this system pairs a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two electric motors and a small lithium-ion battery pack. Combined output stands at 108hp and 253Nm of torque, channeled to the front wheels through an e-CVT transmission.
“The e:HEV system allows the Amaze to deliver exceptional fuel efficiency without compromising on performance,” says Toshihiro Mibe, Honda’s Chief Engineer for the project. “Our testing indicates a real-world economy figure of around 26.5km/l in mixed driving conditions – setting a new benchmark in the segment.”
For those preferring conventional powertrains, the familiar 1.2-liter i-VTEC petrol engine continues, producing 90hp and 110Nm of torque. This engine can be paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic.
Enhanced Safety Package Across the Range
Safety gets a significant boost with the 2025 Amaze, which now offers six airbags as standard across all variants – a move that puts pressure on competitors still offering dual airbags on lower trims. Additionally, all versions get vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, and rear parking sensors.
The top variants add Honda Sensing, the brand’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems that includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking. This makes the Amaze one of the most safety-equipped cars in its segment.
Honda Amaze Facelift: Pricing and Market Positioning
With prices starting at ₹7.15 lakh for the base S variant with manual transmission and going up to ₹11.75 lakh for the top-spec ZX e:HEV (ex-showroom), Honda has positioned the Amaze competitively against rivals like the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Aura, and Tata Tigor.
The hybrid variant, despite commanding a premium, is likely to appeal to fleet operators and high-mileage users who would appreciate its exceptional fuel efficiency and lower running costs in the long term.