Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Hyundai Aura

The compact sedan war intensifies in 2025 with two plucky players making a comeback in all-new guises — the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze, both with new looks, updated tech, and better performance. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Aura maintains its position with the same look that debuted in its 2023 facelift.

 As competition is on the rise in this affordability-oriented segment, which sedan offers the best combination of aesthetics, comfort, and features? Let's get into the specifics and find out who moves ahead in this three-way battle.

Exterior Design: Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Hyundai Aura

With SUVs dominating the market, these compact sedans might seem unwanted, but they are not willing to be dethroned easily, especially the 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the 2024 Honda Amaze. The Hyundai Aura needs some attention as the Korean giant is busy minting SUVs while its compact sedan feels neglected. 

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is unlike any other Maruti car, especially in terms of its exterior design. It's completely redesigned for good and no longer an elongated version of the Swift hatchback. The front fascia features sleek LED headlamps and an all-new Audi-ish grille. 

The LED headlamps get DRLs and crystal-like cube light elements that look great at night. Also, the hood is flatter than the older-generation Dzire. 

Coming to the sides, the profile looks sleeker with newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels. Also, the sharkfin antenna looks better than the antenna seen on Maruti’s premium hatchback, Baleno. Talking about the rear profile, the squarish tail lamps look too good with integrated Y-shaped LED elements.

 The wide chrome strip also accentuates the appearance to some extent. 

The all-new, third-generation Honda Amaze takes a bold leap forward by borrowing heavily from its elder sibling, the Honda City — and that’s no bad thing. Honda appears determined to replicate the City’s winning formula in a more compact and affordable package. 

Up front, the new mesh-pattern grille is reminiscent of the Honda Elevate, flanked by sleek LED headlamps featuring dual rectangular projector elements that lend a sharp, modern edge. 

At the back, it's practically a miniaturised City, with taillamps so similar in appearance that they immediately command a visual halt. 

Though the side view continues to bear the recognisable Amaze shape, features such as door-mounted ORVMs and larger R15 tyres on trendy diamond-cut alloys bring much-needed freshness to its design.

Its familiar design remains in place from the 2023 update, and it still looks fresh, but there's no mistaking this close relation to the Grand i10 Nios. 

The front-end mirrors the Nios similarity in terms of grille and headlamp layout — that was hardly surprising, given the Aura is a version of the hatchback with added boot space, built on the same platform. 

The side profile is memorable with a floating roof top and menacing-looking 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels for that splash of panache. It's the back, though, that steals the show thanks to its unique knife-shaped LED tail lamps linked in customary Hyundai manner. Little new design-wise, however, there has been added a new 'Corporate' variant has been added to make the range fresh and value-focused.

What’s Inside? Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze vs Hyundai Aura

Step inside the new Maruti Dzire, and it’s immediately clear that the cabin borrows heavily from the recently launched Swift — and that’s not a bad thing. The dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, and instrument cluster are all lifted straight from its hatchback sibling, albeit with a beige colour theme to suit the Dzire’s more premium positioning. 

The layout is clean and intuitive, with everything falling into place easily. 

The front seats are plushly padded, and comfort in general is nothing to grumble about over daily commutes. Space, however, is adequate overall, though the rear seat experience is something of a mixed bag: legroom is acceptable but headroom feels tight — again, surprisingly so, given the Dzire is 5mm taller than the Swift. 

The culprit? A fixed headliner at the rear and the addition of a sunroof, which eats into vertical space. 

The 9-inch infotainment screen has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Some other features like wireless charging, connected car tech are present on the higher trims, but the absence of a premium sound system and ambient lighting could have been better at this price point. 

The redesigned Honda Amaze follows Honda's "less is more" design philosophy, and while a clean, clutter-free cabin gives it a similar feel to the Elevate SUV's interior, it does fall short on some of the more premium touches such as faux wood trims and soft-touch surfaces, which would have made the atmosphere more exciting. 

The dual-tone beige-black interior is a good compromise aesthetically, but the dashboard layout is functional, if a little uninteresting. Front-seat comfort is a mixed affair — the padding is adequate, but the absence of sufficient thigh support and the missing driver's armrest are glaring omissions. 

The back bench is somewhat better off, providing adequate comfort for two occupants, but fitting a third adult in is a squeeze. Just like the Dzire, headroom is also on the tighter side, particularly for taller passengers. All the same, the Amaze gets its claws back with its industry-leading boot space, which ensures it's a sensible option for long-distance driving and family vacations. 

Tech-wise, the new Honda Amaze carries a balanced blend of modern features some feel a step behind the curve, however. The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while functional and packing wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, feels a little undersized in an age where bigger screens are almost the norm. 

That said, Honda has packed in some impressive equipment elsewhere — highlights include a semi-digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and the addition of Level 2 ADAS, which sets it apart in the compact sedan segment.

 These thoughtful inclusions help the Amaze stay competitive, even if the overall cabin experience leans more towards practicality than outright premiumness.

Finally, the ageing Hyundai Aura’s interior is a good place to be. Step into the Hyundai Aura’s cabin and you’re greeted with a thoughtfully designed space that combines functionality with flair. The use of bright interior colours, complemented by tasteful copper accents, adds a refreshing touch of vibrancy without going overboard. 

Unlike the digital clusters offered by some rivals, the Aura sticks to classic dual-pod analogue dials with a small MID nestled in between — simple, but effective. 

The front seats, however, could use some improvement. The cushioning is on the firmer side, and the lack of adjustable head restraints is a noticeable omission for taller passengers. The rear seat experience is more pleasant, offering a good backrest angle, decent support, and ample legroom, though the narrow cabin makes it more comfortable for two adults rather than three. 

On the practicality front, the Aura scores well with a generous boot space, making it a solid choice for everyday family duties.

Talking about interior features, the Aura offers a familiar 8-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Features like automatic climate control, keyless entry, and push-button start are also available on higher models. These aren't new, but they're still great to have for everyday convenience.

What’s Under The Hood Of These Leading Compact Sedans? 

Under the bonnet of the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire is the all-new Z12E 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol motor producing 82 hp and 112 Nm of torque. Though it's snappy off the line and reacts well in city traffic conditions, the engine does feel somewhat worked when driven harder, particularly at higher revs.

 Suzuki’s decision to swap out the older four-cylinder K12M for this more frugal three-pot might raise eyebrows among purists. The previous unit made 8 hp more, but there’s no denying the gains in efficiency. 

The manual variant now claims a healthy 24.79 kpl, while the AMT pushes it further to an impressive 25.71 kpl. For the fuel-conscious, there is also a CNG variant available that delivers a whopping 33.73 km/kg, run by a detuned 70 hp, 102 Nm variant of the same motor. It is a big hint that Suzuki is going all out for efficiency, and it appears to be working. 

The levels of NVH are as you would find in a conventional three-cylinder motor; it is heard clearly inside the cabin, but not intrusive.

As far as handling goes, the new Dzire echoes its hatchback cousin, the current-generation Swift. The suspension has been tweaked discreetly to take into consideration the Dzire's marginally heavier constitution—some 40 kilos more than the Swift—but the overall ride is still composed and reassuring. 

It sails over potholes and small road undulations with ease, offering a degree of comfort that is well-weighted for its class. Shoulder it firmly into a corner, and there is a hint of body roll, but nothing that takes away from the overall driving experience.

 Actually, for a compact sedan marketed towards everyday usability, the Dzire finds a good balance between ride comfort and road manners.

Honda holds fast to the tried-and-tested 1.2-litre four-pot i-VTEC engine in the Amaze's second iteration, producing 89 hp and 110 Nm of torque. As with Honda tradition, the engine is smooth and keen once it settles into its groove. 

Although there is a whiff of sluggishness under 2000 rpm, it comes alive from 4500 to 6700 rpm, making it a joyride for those who like squeezing the life out of a naturally aspirated engine. 

There is no CNG variant available yet, maintaining the petrol-only focus on efficiency (19.46 kpl) and performance. The 5-speed manual gearbox remains impressive, with its smooth gear shifts and short throws, making city commuting effortless. 

For the two-pedal enthusiasts, the CVT is refined and properly calibrated, though it does exhibit a trace of lag when hard acceleration is called for. Nevertheless, for a vehicle in this class, the Amaze offers a smooth and balanced driving experience.

The soft suspension of the Honda Amaze is comfort-tuned, soaking up small bumps comfortably but complaining about bigger ones, particularly at full load when ground clearance is reduced. Body roll can be felt on spirited driving because of the soft tune. 

The steering is light and precise, making the car handle well in the city, and it is easy and predictable to drive. 

The Hyundai Aura's 1.2-litre engine develops 83 hp and 113.8 Nm, with smooth refinement best suited for relaxed driving. It is offered with both manual and AMT, and it's best for city driving but lacks punch for dynamic driving. Fuel efficiency is subpar, with a claim of 17 kpl on petrol. 

The CNG variant dips the power to 68 hp but returns better mileage of 22 km/kg.

The Hyundai Aura provides acceptable comfort, but newer competitors such as the Dzire and Amaze provide a better cushioned ride. Its light steering facilitates easy city driving, while its short and precise manual gearbox works smoothly in traffic conditions.

 Combined with a light clutch pedal, the Aura is still an easy and convenient car to drive, particularly in urban conditions.

Safety 

On the safety front, Maruti Suzuki Dzire takes the lead with an impressive 5-star rating in Global NCAP crash tests, reflecting huge gains in structural strength and occupant safety. The new Honda Amaze remains untested, but Honda is targeting a 5-star rating and has loaded the vehicle with Level 2 ADAS features, indicating robust intentions. Conversely, the Hyundai Aura trails behind with a 2-star Global NCAP rating, which could be a point of worry for safety-respecting buyers, even though it has other city-friendly positives.

Pricing 

Verdict 

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire keeps its crown in the subcompact sedan space with a strong combination of an all-new design, a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, good ride quality, affordable pricing, practical features, and excellent fuel economy. Though it falls short on cutting-edge ADAS tech, it gets the basics that most consumers in this segment care about right. 

The Honda Amaze is a good car with its sleek, city-centric looks, punchy motor, and segment-leading Level 2 ADAS, but lags on fuel efficiency to some extent. The Hyundai Aura, while easy to manoeuvre and well-liked in its CNG form, is starting to feel long in the tooth and is also troubled by a 2-star safety rating and mid-pack efficiency. All in all, for those in the market for an efficient, safe, and well-rounded compact sedan, the Dzire continues to be the best of the lot.

Image Source- Hyundai, Honda, Maruti