Honda Amaze 1.2 Manual 2025 - Quick Drive

The 2025 Honda Amaze 1.2 manual is a pragmatic choice in South Africa's budget sedan market. This compact sedan gets a welcome facelift, with a sharper, more modern design that aligns it with the rest of the Honda family.

It's a vast improvement over the previous model, looking less like a budget car and more like a scaled-down version of its more premium siblings. The interior is also a significant step up, with a clean layout and a surprising amount of tech, including an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

​Out on the road, the 1.2-litre engine (66 kW and 110 Nm) is a mixed bag. For urban commuting, it's more than adequate, proving to be a nimble and fuel-efficient runabout.

Honda's claimed fuel consumption is 5.5 L/100 km, and while real-world figures might be slightly higher, it remains impressively frugal. The 5-speed manual gearbox is a highlight, offering slick, effortless shifts that make navigating city traffic a breeze.

​However, the Amaze struggles when you venture onto the open road. The engine feels underpowered and can become strained and noisy during overtaking or when tackling steep hills. While the ride is generally comfortable, the car's dynamic capabilities are not its strong suit.

​In a nutshell, the 2025 Honda Amaze 1.2 manual is a compelling urban commuter. It’s stylish, well-equipped for its price point (starting at R254,900 for the Trend model, or this higher-spec Comfort Manual starting at R274,900), and sips fuel.

If your driving is primarily confined to the city, this is a solid choice that punches above its weight and a very good option within this segment.