New Honda Amaze versus Suzuki Dzire: which is the best compact sedan on the block?
The Honda Amaze (left) and Suzuki Dzire are both fresh from comprehensive redesigns.
Image: Jason Woosey
Sedans have gone from being the go-to body style a few decades back to a relatively small niche in today's SUV-obsessed motoring landscape.
Buyers have for the most part given the boot, the boot.
Yet the two latest small sedans on the market, the recently launched Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze, are still selling in reasonably good numbers, with the latter being Honda's most popular vehicle at the moment.
Ok, we know what you're thinking - surely these two purely exist for the ride-hailing market? Granted, they are really popular in that space, but dealers tell us there is also a demand for them among buyers with small families and pensioners.
The two Japanese-branded sedans that we see here are rather similar in concept.
Both are built in India, and measure a shade under four metres in length to take advantage of a tax break in that country.
The pair are also powered by 1.2-litre normally aspirated engines.
They're among the most affordable sedans on the market, with the Suzuki priced from R224,900 to R266,900 and the Honda costing between R254,900 and R294,900.
But keep in mind that the Honda is available with higher spec levels, so to keep things as fair and equal as possible, we compared the Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+, which is the flagship manual version at R246,900, with Honda's base-spec 1.2 Trend manual, which costs R254,900.
Dimensions and Design
Both cars were recently redesigned, with the Suzuki being an all-new model and the Honda being a comprehensive facelift that bears little resemblance to its predecessor.
Styling is a subjective thing, but we'd say both are successful restyles that inject some much-needed attitude into what were rather bland designs in the past.
The design updates make both cars appear more purposeful than before.
Image: Jason Woosey
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Honda's large honeycomb grille makes quite a statement and its new taillights, taking inspiration from the Ballade and Civic, are elegant and give a car a more upmarket appearance.
The Suzuki is also very easy on the eye, with its new slim headlights and grille bar, and wide, tapering lower grille, but the back end is perhaps a bit forgettable.
Interior design and practicality
When it comes to practicality, these sedans are on a fairly equal footing.
Rear legroom is surprisingly generous given their small dimensions. Sitting behind my driving position - I'm average-sized - there was room to stretch in both vehicles, with perhaps a smidgen more in the Suzuki. But rear headroom is really tight, with my head touching the ceiling in both cases if I leaned all the way back to the headrests.
Their boots are similar in size, at 378 litres for the Honda and 416 litres in the Suzuki's case. Keep in mind that the boot apertures are relatively small, making it difficult to load bulkier items, and the rear seats don't fold in either of these vehicles. This does bring a security advantage, though, for what it's worth.
Honda Amaze
Image: Jason Woosey
When it comes to interior design, we have to hand a solid win to the Honda. With a cockpit layout inspired by the latest Civic, it looks classy, and the materials appear to be of good quality. The 7.0-inch TFT digital instrument display is also a surprising addition at this end.
Build quality is impressive, and the black cloth seat trim feels like it's made for life, with its dark colour scheme well suited to South African tastes.
The Suzuki loses points here for its beige seat trim, which not only looks like it belongs in your Grandma's lounge, but it's sure to show dirt and grime very quickly.
Suzuki Dzire.
Image: Jason Woosey
It's a popular colour scheme in India, but not so much in our market, and you'll certainly have to invest in seat covers for this vehicle.
The Suzuki's 7.0-inch touchscreen is also smaller than its binnacle, which looks odd.
User friendliness and features
Neither of these vehicles disappoints when it comes to interior functionality, offering separate digital controls for the climate control systems and rather straightforward touchscreen infotainment systems - though the Honda's is bigger at 8.0 inches versus Suzuki's 7.0. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard in the two cars.
Rear passengers have their own aircon vents in both cars, although the Suzuki scores extra points for having USB ports (both A and C type) positioned at the back of the centre console where both front and rear passengers can access them easily. It also has an additional USB A port upfront, while the Honda has two A-ports in this location.
Both vehicles ship standard with electric windows and mirrors, multi-function steering wheels and rear park distance control with reverse cameras.
But the Suzuki is the only one here with cruise control, while the Honda hits back with additional features over the Suzuki, such as automatic climate control, push-button start and LED headlights.
When it comes to safety, both have stability control and ABS, but the Suzuki's airbag count of six (front, side and curtain) is a big win over Honda's two frontal crash bags.
What they're like to drive
As mentioned, they both have 1.2-litre normally aspirated engines and five-speed manual gearboxes, with CVT transmissions optionally available, although in the Honda's case you have to upgrade to the top-spec variant for that.
The Suzuki comes with a new three-cylinder engine that delivers 60kW and 112Nm, while the Honda retains its trusty four-cylinder VTEC unit, offering 66kW and 110Nm.
Their kerb weights are very similar, with the Suzuki tipping the scales at 940kg and the Honda at 963kg.
Small 1.2-litre engines are the norm here.
Image: Jason Woosey
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