2021 Honda Amaze

Honda Amaze

Honda’s Amaze sedan goes after folks who need a boot but can’t stomach Polo or Starlet prices, and on paper at least, it’s fighting an uphill battle. Both rivals have more local street cred, especially in Joburg and Cape Town traffic, and Honda’s lone 1.2-litre petrol mated exclusively to a CVT narrows the appeal further. Manual fans are left hanging, but if you’re stuck in Sandton gridlock or running errands in Durban, the CVT makes sense. The market’s tiny — just 11 cars listed nationwide — but a price band from R213,500 up to R297,100 means there are options whether you want showroom-fresh or a demo car that’s barely seen the N1. Five of those 11 are technically used, yet average mileage is a laughable 2,636 km, so you’re basically choosing between demo and new. The 1.2 Comfort CVT dominates the listings, sitting at R279,900 to R297,100, while the more affordable Trend Manual hovers between R254,900 and R256,800, and if you pack smart, that’s the one to go for if gadgets aren’t your top priority. Against the Starlet, buyers get Honda’s reputation for reliability and a more hushed cabin — that matters on rough Gauteng commutes. Stock is all 2024 to 2026, so buyers avoid the headache of old-model depreciation. The Amaze won’t win any school parking lot beauty contests, but it’s honest, unfussy transport at a price that won’t keep you up at night.