Maruti Dzire vs Honda Amaze: Rear-Seat Comfort, CVT vs AGS, Safety & Mileage Compared

Choose the Maruti Suzuki Dzire if you want a verified 5-star Global NCAP crash-test rating, 18–20 km/l real city fuel efficiency, an electric sunroof, a 360-degree camera, or a factory S-CNG option, and you are buying a manual or don't mind an AMT. Choose the Honda Amaze if you are buying an automatic for heavy traffic—where its four-cylinder i-VTEC engine and stepless CVT with paddle shifters outclass the Dzire's three-cylinder AMT—or need the larger 416-litre boot.

How Recent Generational Updates Changed This Rivalry

Both the Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze shed their old weaknesses in their latest generations:

• The New Maruti Dzire broke away from the Swift's styling with a mature sedan grille, earned a landmark 5-star Global NCAP adult safety rating (with 6 airbags, ESP, and Hill-Hold standard across all trims), added an electric sunroof and 360-degree camera on top variants, and adopted the ultra-efficient 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z12E engine.
• The New Honda Amaze fixed its older model's soft rear suspension and low ground clearance (now raised to 172 mm), added 6 airbags and rear AC vents across trims, retained its buttery 1.2-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine and true CVT automatic, and introduced camera-based Honda SENSING ADAS on the top ZX trim.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Maruti Dzire vs Honda Amaze

The table below compares the two sedans across prices, powertrains, rear-seat/boot dimensions, and equipment.

Rear-Seat Chauffeur Comfort & Luggage Boot

Both sedans offer plush rear benches with fold-down centre armrests, dedicated rear AC vents, and generous knee room for 6-foot passengers:

• ** Maruti Dzire:** Offers slightly better under-thigh support and a marginally airier feeling on ZXi+ trims thanks to the sunroof and beige/black cabin palette. Its 382-litre boot easily fits two large suitcases plus duffle bags.
• Honda Amaze: Offers a flatter floor hump for a middle child passenger, larger door pockets, and a segment-leading 416-litre boot (34 litres larger than the Dzire) with a wide loading lip.

Engine & Automatic Showdown: 3-Cyl AGS vs 4-Cyl CVT

This is the decisive factor for most buyers:

• Refinement & Automatic Smoothness: The Amaze wins clearly. Its four-cylinder 90 PS i-VTEC engine is smoother at idle and rev-happy on highways, and its stepless CVT automatic eliminates shift jerks in city traffic. The Dzire's 82 PS three-cylinder engine has a mild thrum at idle and uses a 5-speed AMT (AGS) that exhibits a noticeable pause between 1st and 2nd gear.
• Fuel Economy & Running Cost: The Dzire wins by a wide margin. In city traffic, the Dzire returns 17.5–19.5 km/l versus 13–14.5 km/l in the Amaze. At 1,200 km/month, the Dzire saves roughly ₹28,000–₹34,000 per year in petrol—and also offers a factory S-CNG option (VXi/ZXi).

Clear Buying Verdict

• Buy the Maruti Dzire (VXi / ZXi / ZXi+) if: You are buying a manual or factory CNG car, drive over 1,000 km/month, want a verified 5-star Global NCAP crash test score, and prefer features like a sunroof and 360-degree camera.
• Buy the Honda Amaze (VX CVT / ZX CVT) if: You are buying an automatic for dense city traffic, demand four-cylinder smoothness and a jerk-free CVT gearbox, carry maximum airport luggage (416L boot), or want Honda's 10-year anytime warranty peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Did the new Maruti Dzire really score 5 stars in Global NCAP crash testing?

Yes. The fourth-generation Indian-made Maruti Dzire was crash-tested by Global NCAP and achieved a 5-star Adult Occupant Protection rating (31.24 out of 34 points) and a 4-star Child Occupant Protection rating, with a stable body shell.

Q2. Is the Honda SENSING ADAS on the Honda Amaze ZX useful on Indian roads?

On multi-lane marked highways and expressways, the Amaze ZX's Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist markedly reduce highway fatigue. Inside chaotic city traffic with two-wheelers cutting closely, most drivers turn off Autonomous Emergency Braking (CMBS) to avoid sudden braking.

Q3. Why is the Honda Amaze's starting price higher than the Maruti Dzire's?

Honda starts the Amaze lineup directly at the well-equipped V trim (~₹7.65 lakh ex-showroom, which already includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, LED projector headlamps, and alloy-style covers), whereas Maruti offers a stripped entry LXi trim at ₹6.31 lakh.

Q4. Does the new Honda Amaze scrape over tall speed breakers with four passengers?

No. Unlike the second-generation Amaze which had soft rear springs, the latest third-generation Amaze has firmer rear damping and 172 mm of unladen ground clearance (9 mm higher than the Dzire's 163 mm).

Q5. Which sedan has lower maintenance costs over 5 years?

Routine service costs are very close—roughly ₹5,500–₹7,000 per year for the Dzire (10,000 km/1-year interval) and ₹6,500–₹8,500 per year for the Amaze. Honda also offers a 3-year unlimited-kilometre standard warranty extendable up to 10 years.

Related Buying Guides

• why compact sedans beat hatchbacks on boot space — Best Cars Under ₹10 Lakh: Hatchback vs Compact SUV vs Sedan
• comparing CVT and AMT automatics under ₹10 lakh — Best Automatic Cars Under ₹10 Lakh
• Maruti Dzire S-CNG details — Best CNG Cars Under ₹10 Lakh
• how ADAS works on Indian highways and city streets — ADAS in Indian Cars: Benefits and Limitations