ACKO Drive Awards 2026: The Honda Amaze is our 2026 Subcompact Sedan Winner

The entry-level sedan space is important in India, not just for the fleet and taxi industry but also for buyers who want something bigger and more practical than a hatchback. Whether it’s for commuting to work or taking the family out, a subcompact sedan is a great choice for anyone with a tight budget but high aspirations. The market in India is fairly small, with many people now gravitating towards SUVs, but remains important and fiercely competitive between the major players here – the Maruti Suzuki Dzire which won this award last year, the Honda Amaze, the Hyundai Aura, and the Tata Tigor.

The only major launch in this segment in 2025 was the new third-gen Honda Amaze. It’s a competent update to what was already a popular model. One thing that really works in its favour is that the top-end trim is now the most affordable car in India with L2 ADAS features including emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. Although it isn’t the most thrilling car to drive, it’s smooth and familiar. Ground clearance is better than with the previous model, and there are loads of updated safety features: ABS, six airbags, ISOFIX, stability and traction controls, blind spot monitoring, three-point seatbelts with reminders. The new Amaze also has a five-star BNCAP safety rating to boast of.

For its segment, everything is as you’d expect. The interior is functional enough, and materials feel good. Our jury of experts awarded the Honda Amaze the 2026 Subcompact Sedan TOTM for raising standards and improving competition in its segment.