Honda has been doing well with models like the Elevate and City, but to stay competitive, it needs to upgrade its smallest car, the Amaze compact sedan. The current Amaze has been around since 2018, got a facelift in 2021, and it's high time for a major update. Though Honda hasn't officially spoken about it, there are speculations that the next-gen Amaze might hit the market next year.
However, the market for compact sedans has been shrinking, with sub-4 compact SUVs gaining more popularity. So, for the third-gen Amaze to stand out, Honda has a few challenges ahead. Here's what we think Honda needs to do for the next Amaze to make a real impact.
Feature List
The top-spec VX variant of the current Amaze comes with features like LED lights, a seven-inch infotainment display with phone mirroring, climate control, connected car tech, push-button start, driver's seat height adjustment, cruise control, and dual front airbags. To stay competitive, Honda needs to expand this list by adding features like a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, a larger 10.0-inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, a digital instrument cluster, and a sunroof. These features are becoming essential in this segment.
CNG Power
In the past, Honda Amaze had a CNG-compatible variant, and there were even tests for a gas-powered model in the second-gen. Honda should bring back CNG as it's becoming popular in this segment, with competitors like Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki offering CNG-powered compact sedans. The engine for this could be Honda's 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
Sell Alongside a Compact SUV
This might sound a bit surprising, but it could work for Honda. Selling the Amaze alongside a compact SUV could bring combined volumes from both models. Honda introduced the next-gen WR-V in November 2022, and it's expected to share the same interior and underpinnings with the new Amaze. Honda plans to launch four more SUVs in India by 2030, and a compact one might be on the list.
Honda City-Like Exterior Design
To make the Amaze more appealing, Honda could take inspiration from its popular City model. Giving the Amaze a design resembling a mini City could create aspirational value, make it easily recognizable, and share the same design language and platform. The City name has been around for 28 years, making it an iconic badge with a wide range of buyers across different age groups.
In conclusion, for the next-gen Honda Amaze to succeed, it needs to step up its features, consider reintroducing CNG power, explore the possibility of selling alongside a compact SUV, and draw inspiration from the iconic Honda City for its exterior design. These moves could help Honda secure its place in the competitive market and cater to the evolving preferences of car buyers.
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