Honda Amaze vs Maruti Dzire (2025): Which Compact Sedan Should You Buy?

Meta title: Honda Amaze vs Maruti Dzire – Price, Features, Performance & Real-World Efficiency (2025)
Meta description: Detailed, human-written comparison of Honda Amaze CVT and Maruti Dzire AMT. See design, space, features, ADAS, performance, mileage, ride quality and verdict to choose the right compact sedan in 2025.

Overview

Both sedans have received meaningful updates and now aim to deliver big-car comfort in a compact footprint. The Honda Amaze leans on a smooth CVT and segment-first ADAS, while the Maruti Dzire focuses on cabin richness, efficiency and value. If you’re cross-shopping automatic petrols under ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom), this side-by-side will help you decide without fluff or keyword stuffing.

1) Design & Dimensions

Honda Amaze

  • Clean, upright nose that mirrors Honda’s latest family look.
  • Subtle surfacing; side mirrors are door-mounted for better visibility.
  • Stance is confident and ground clearance is generous for the class.

Maruti Dzire

  • Large grille and slim LED headlamps create a more premium face.
  • Distinctive tri-arrow LED tail lamps and a neat lip spoiler.
  • Taller overall height and slightly higher-profile tyres add visual volume.

Key numbers

  • Wheelbase: Amaze is 20 mm longer, aiding legroom.
  • Ground clearance (unladen): Amaze sits higher (172 mm) vs Dzire (163 mm)—useful on speed breakers.
  • Height: Dzire is taller by ~25 mm, improving headroom.
  • Boot space: Amaze ~416 L vs Dzire ~382 L—Honda wins for luggage.

Bottom line: If you want a planted stance and bigger boot, pick the Amaze. If you prefer a more ornate exterior and a touch more headroom, the Dzire fits.

2) Cabin Experience & Ergonomics

Amaze cabin

  • Dashboard theme echoes Honda’s larger models with a clean, minimalist layout.
  • Ergonomics are spot-on; visibility is excellent; physical climate buttons are a plus.
  • Front seats need more base support; long drives reveal it.
  • Rear bench is very comfortable with a supportive backrest and three fixed headrests (rare in the class). Taller occupants may wish for more headroom because of the roofline.
  • Boot is wide and deep—weekend luggage for four is realistic.

Dzire cabin

  • Feels airier thanks to light colors and design detailing.
  • 9-inch touchscreen and sunroof lift the ambience on higher trims.
  • Front seats are broader and more supportive; cushioning is soft (great for short trips; some may find it too soft over full-day drives).
  • Rear seat is as accommodating as the Honda’s with a touch more headroom from the scooped roof.
  • Boot is smaller but still practical for daily family use.

Takeaway: For daily comfort up front and that light, premium vibe, Dzire edges it. For long trips with lots of bags, Amaze has the luggage advantage and a well-angled rear backrest.

3) Features & Safety (Top Trims Compared)

Shared highlights

  • Auto LED headlamps, 15-inch alloys
  • Keyless entry & push start
  • Wireless charging
  • Auto climate control & rear AC vents
  • Wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay
  • ESP, hill-start assist, six airbags (top trims)

Where they differ

  • Dzire advantages: 360-degree camera, sunroof, larger 9-inch screen.
  • Amaze advantages: paddle shifters, part-digital instrument cluster, and ADAS (lane keep assist, blind-spot monitor, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control)—well tuned for India and can be toggled easily.

Pricing snapshot (ex-showroom)

  • Amaze CVT range: ~₹9.35–11.20 lakh
  • Dzire AMT range: ~₹8.34–10.19 lakh
    The Dzire is about ₹1 lakh cheaper variant-for-variant at the top.

Verdict on kit: Want sunroof + 360° camera + big screen at a lower tag? Dzire. Want ADAS and a smoother auto with paddles for manual control? Amaze.

4) Engines & Transmissions

Amaze CVTDzire AMT
Engine1.2L, 4-cyl petrol1.2L, 3-cyl petrol (Z12E)
Power~90 hp (approx; varies by certification)~82 hp
CharacterFree-revving with a strong mid-range; a bit weak under 2,000 rpmTuned for strong low-end torque and crisp response
TransmissionCVT (step-less)5-speed AMT (automated manual)
FeelSeamless and calm; can exhibit rubber-band effect under hard throttleConvenient, but shift pauses are noticeable; not as smooth as CVT

Performance tests (representative figures)

  • 0–100 km/h: Amaze ~13.12 s vs Dzire ~15.21 s
  • Rolling acceleration (20–80 / 40–100) is similar; the Dzire’s engine response masks AMT lag in moderate use.

Takeaway: If you value refinement and smoothness, the Amaze CVT is the class act. If you prioritise easy city drivability and can live with the AMT’s pauses, the Dzire is just fine.

5) Real-World Efficiency & NVH

Tested economy (indicative)

  • City: Amaze ~9.94 kpl | Dzire ~11.61 kpl
  • Highway: Amaze ~16.62 kpl | Dzire ~19.22 kpl
  • Overall average: Amaze ~13.28 kpl | Dzire ~15.41 kpl

Why the gap?
Maruti’s 3-cyl unit is tuned for low-rpm torque and the car is lighter, plus it features idle stop-start. The Amaze counters with quieter AC operation at extreme ambient temperatures where stop-start may cut out.

Noise & vibration

  • Idle & low-speed: Amaze is quieter; the Dzire’s 3-cyl thrum is audible but well controlled.
  • Cruise: Both are acceptable; Amaze’s CVT keeps revs steady; Dzire’s engine is more efficient at speed.

Conclusion on efficiency: For fuel bills, Dzire wins convincingly.

6) Ride, Handling & Braking

Amaze

  • Comfort-biased springs absorb bumps well at city speeds.
  • On undulating highways, the car can float and bounce; sensitive passengers may feel it.
  • Steering is more direct and fluid, which keen drivers appreciate.

Dzire

  • Plusher low-speed ride and does its job in near-silence.
  • At higher speeds, sharper inputs can make it feel busy, but it recovers quickly after dips and doesn’t float like the Honda.
  • Lighter steering and tighter turning circle make urban manoeuvres easy.

Braking

  • Both stop confidently; stopping distances are closely matched with a slight edge to the Dzire in some runs.

7) Ownership Logic: Price, Variants & Value

  • Budget: If you need the lowest price with strong efficiency, the Dzire offers more value—especially at the top trim where the difference is the most visible.
  • Tech & safety: If you want ADAS and a smoother automatic, the Amaze justifies its premium for frequent highway users and self-driven owners.
  • Practicality: Bigger boot and higher ground clearance give the Amaze an advantage for trips with family and luggage.
  • Daily ease: Dzire feels larger inside, has the sunroof and 360° camera, and costs less to run.

Clear Verdict

  • Choose the Honda Amaze CVT if you…
    • Prefer a seamless automatic with paddle control and calmer power delivery.
    • Want ADAS (AEB, lane keep, adaptive cruise, blind-spot) to ease highway driving.
    • Need a bigger boot and a touch more ground clearance.
    • Enjoy a sharper steering feel.
  • Choose the Maruti Dzire AMT if you…
    • Want the best fuel efficiency and a lower purchase price.
    • Value a richer-feeling cabin, broader seats, sunroof, and 360° camera.
    • Mostly drive in the city and can accept the AMT’s shift pauses.
    • Prefer a quieter, plusher low-speed ride.

One-line takeaway:
The Dzire is the better all-rounder for most buyers thanks to value, features and economy. The Amaze remains the driver’s choice in the segment for smoothness and highway-friendly ADAS, provided you’re okay with the premium and firmer front-seat support.

Quick Spec Recap (Top Trims)

ItemAmaze ZX CVTDzire ZXI+ AMT
Price (ex-showroom)~₹11.20 lakh~₹10.19 lakh
TransmissionCVT (with paddles)5-speed AMT
Touchscreen8-inch9-inch
SunroofYes
CameraReverse360°
ADASYes (AEB, LKA, ACC, BSM)
Airbags66
ESP / HSAYes / YesYes / Yes
Boot~416 L~382 L

FAQs (for readers & snippets)

Q1. Which is more fuel-efficient?
Maruti Dzire AMT in both city and highway use, aided by lower weight and stop-start.

Q2. Which automatic feels smoother?
Honda Amaze CVT—no shift lurches; better for relaxed commutes.

Q3. Which is safer?
Both offer six airbags and ESP on top trims. The Amaze adds ADAS (AEB, lane assist, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitor) that helps on highways.

Q4. Which is better for long family trips?
Amaze for its larger boot and ADAS convenience; Dzire for seat comfort and sunroof if luggage needs are modest.

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