Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze: Which ‘budget’ sedan should you buy?

Both the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze are excellent cars for those buyers who look for value-addition and practicality in the budget segment.

There is no doubt that the sub 4-metre ‘compact sedans’ are a culpable compromise to the ethos and spirit of sedans in the Indian car culture. However, I got to say that this budget segment has got some real heat now with the launch of the new generation Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze. The way these new sedans have evolved all these years even make me to think that the compact sedan are also an underrated lot in the wake of the SUV boom.

Even in their previous avatars, the Dzire and Amaze were the most popular compact sedans among the Indians. They are known for the value-for-money propositions and impressive resale values, supported by a decent service network across the country. It has always been a tough choice for the buyers to choose between the two cars. Now, with the latest upgrades, it’s even more difficult to decide!

Visual impressions

Ever since its market launch last month, the social media is buzzing with praise for the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire. The car has garnering widespread acclaim for its premium design and styling, marking a radical departure from styling cues of the Swift hatchback. The fresh front and rear fascia gives the car a aggressive impression. However, the side profile continues to remind the previous-generation Dzire, especially the window and door lines.

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The new Honda Amaze, on the other hand, is no different. High bonnet, bold and aggressive front face, and tweaked rear end – all inspired from the new Honda City and Elevate models – does give the car a fresh feel. Yet, the car is highly reminiscent of the previous model on the outside. To be honest, both Amaze and Dzire score equally on their voguish styling.

On the inside, the Dzire is nothing but Swift. Except for certain embellishments like that of faux wood and silver inserts, the car’s dashboard is an exact replica of the hatchback. It looks sporty though. The car is ergonomically and space-wise decent, but the plastic quality is just average as before. The Amaze is no different, hard plastics all around the cabin, but the dual-tone dash looks bit more premium.

Engine and performance

The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire is powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 80 bhp power and 112 Nm of max torque. Both in terms of power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios, the new Dzire falls short of its previous version, which was powered by a 4-cylinder engine. This means that the performance of the Maruti sedan may lack some punch, but remember the car’s claimed fuel efficiency is at 24.79 kmpl for 5-speed manual gearbox variants!

The Dzire comes with an option of an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), which claims an even higher mileage of 25.71 kmpl! The AMT may feel a bit dull and reserved at quick accelerations, but the gearshifts are said to be smooth and moderate in pace – best for city drivers! If you are still not convinced on the running costs, the sedan’s CNG option offers an phenomenal mileage of 33.73 kms/kg, again a perfect choice for city users.

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It is in terms of performance and driving experience that the Honda Amaze scores over the Dzire. The new Amaze carries forward the renowned 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine that makes 88 bhp and 110 Nm. The car’s 5-speed gearbox is quite decent to drive and use. There is no question on Honda’s engine refinement and reliability either. The only negative is Amaze’s claimed fuel efficiency of 18.65 kmpl, notable falling short of Dzire.

However, the most interesting aspect of Honda Amaze is its CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox option. It is the only car in the compact sedan segment to offer a ‘truly’ automatic technology; rest all are just jerky AMTs! With paddle shifters, the Amaze CVT is a boon for city drivers, thanks to its responsive and smooth power delivery. The CVT also offers a higher mileage of 19.46 kmpl for the car, although not matching the figures of Dzire AMT.

Practicality and Safety

Both the Dzire and Amaze are roughly the same size. In terms of cabin space and rear seat comfort, the Dzire take a slight lead in the race against the Honda Amaze. Although the latter scores more in terms of boot space. The Dzire also comes with segment-first sunroof (single-pane) and cruise control options.

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In terms of safety, both the cars comes loaded with six airbags as standard fitment. They also boast ABS with Electronic stability control (ESC) and Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). However, Honda Amaze takes the lead with class-leading Level-2 Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), Hill start assist and Traction control. While the Dzire features a 360-degree camera for the first time, the Amaze comes with rearview and lane-watch camera.

Pricing

While the base variant of the new Maruti Dzire (LXi) is priced around ₹ 6.79 lakhs, the Amaze starts only at ₹ 8.04 lakhs. So, for entry-level buyers, Dzire makes more sense. However, the top-end variants of the Amaze are fairly pitched to compete with the pricing of the Dzire. The CVT variants are about ₹ 1 lakh costlier than the Dzire AMTs, which may act as a bummer for many buyers who are not so keen on driving pleasure.

Which one to buy?

It is no exaggeration that both the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze have taken the compact sedan segment in India to a whole new level. Both these cars are excellent choices for those buyers who look for value-addition and practicality in the budget segment. They are loaded with features and offer great value-for-money proposition to the buyers.

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The new Dzire offers a balanced and reliable package with impressive fuel efficiency and trusted service network. The brand also enjoys exceptional resale value and lower ownership costs. The Amaze, on the other hand, is a sporty and feature-rich car with a more premium feel. It is certainly a driver’s car.

Moreover, the car’s pricing is also a bit on the higher side, as against the Dzire. While Honda’s service network is not as extensive as Maruti’s, it’s still quite reliable and ownership experience is decent. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the individual preferences and priorities of the buyers. If you are cost-conscious and look for more value for every buck you spend, Dzire makes more sense for you. If you are a fun-loving driver and enthusiast, Amaze is sure to impress you.

Featured Image Credit: Cars24.com