10+ Years with Honda Cars: Why Our Next Car is a Honda

If you're considering buying a used Honda, wondering about Honda's real-world reliability, or torn between newer cars and time-tested Japanese machines—this story is for you. This isn’t a spec sheet comparison or a dealership review. It’s a deeply personal, decade-long ownership journey of three Honda cars across different segments, driven through Indian roads, cities, and cross-country trips.

You’ll read what worked, what failed, and what truly mattered. If you’re tired of flashy marketing and want an honest, lived-in perspective on what it’s actually like to own and rely on Honda cars in India—then read on. But if you’re looking for a one-line verdict or just brochure highlights, this might not be the article for you. This is for those who value real experiences over hype.

The Beginning: From Bolero to Honda Amaze (2013)

Back in 2013, while I was studying in Bangalore, my parents decided it was time to replace our Mahindra Bolero. The Bolero was a tough and reliable vehicle, but it wasn’t ideal for city driving, especially for my mother. It was heavy, hard to maneuver, and not the most comfortable for her daily use. At the time, options in the market were limited. We considered the Mahindra

Logan but eventually leaned towards the Honda Amaze, which had just been launched with Honda’s first diesel engine in India—the 1.5L i-DTEC. Since diesel was more affordable and we were a family that loved long road trips, driving over 10,000 kilometers every year, it seemed like the obvious choice.

Without much deliberation, we took a test drive, and my parents instantly fell in love with it. We booked the Amaze S diesel variant, which had 100 PS of power and promised excellent fuel efficiency. Compared to the Bolero, the Amaze felt like a breath of fresh air.

My father used to drive down to Bangalore multiple times a year, and the transition to the Amaze made every journey a delight. It was light, responsive, and exceptionally fuel-efficient, delivering between 23 to 25 km/l consistently and never once going below 20 km/l in all the years we owned it. We drove it for over 1,50,000 kilometers, and it became our everyday companion.

Early Service and Ownership Experience

Initially, within the first year, we faced a gearbox issue. However, Honda replaced the unit under warranty without any fuss, which built a sense of trust with the brand. The car was serviced regularly at the authorized center. The tires lasted a good 60,000 kilometers, and we followed every recommended maintenance guideline, including replacing the lower arms at 80,000 kilometers.

Though the service cost was slightly on the higher side, we never hesitated to keep the car in its best condition. Mechanically, the Amaze never let us down. Apart from a couple of tire punctures and a battery drain issue, it always performed flawlessly. It was a daily driver for my father, and even though the design wasn’t a head-turner, it was reliable, fuel-efficient, and easy to maintain. Back then, we paid around ₹8.3 lakhs on-road for it, and it was worth every rupee.

A Disappointing Twist After 1.5L km

After clocking 1.5 lakh kilometers, the car suddenly began showing major issues with the transmission. We were taken aback when the authorized Honda service center told us it was due to our driving style—accusing us of bad habits like shifting without the clutch or resting our hand on the gear lever. This was hard to believe, especially when my father had been driving for over 30 years, and both my brother and I were also experienced drivers. Something didn’t feel right.

Out of concern, we consulted a local mechanic who specialized in Japanese cars, particularly Suzukis. He kept the car for a week and diagnosed that the issue might be with the clutch. When he opened it up, the clutch was completely worn out and showed clear signs of improper fitment.

This was surprising because the clutch had been replaced twice earlier—once at 60,000 km and again at 130,000 km—both times at a Honda service center. The final replacement had clearly been faulty and was the real reason behind the transmission issue. This was a deeply disappointing moment after more than 10 years of loyalty to the brand’s service network. We replaced the clutch, and the car returned to its normal self. However, we decided to sell it while it was still performing well and got a decent price.

New Needs, New Honda: Enter the Jazz CVT in 2023

By 2023, my father had suffered a bike accident and was struggling to use his left leg, making it difficult to drive a manual car. We started looking for an automatic vehicle under ₹5 lakhs. After exploring several options like the Nissan Micra CVT, Honda City CVT (3rd gen), and Swift Dzire AMT, we found ourselves talking to our old Honda showroom once again.

They had a 2015 Honda Jazz S CVT in white, with 60,000 kilometers on the odometer. It was a single-lady-owned vehicle, selling for just ₹4.75 lakhs, while most Jazz models of that year were selling for around ₹6.5 lakhs. The catch? The body was in bad shape, but mechanically, it was sound.

We took it home and gave it a new life. A deep interior cleaning, new leather seat covers, a wrapped steering wheel, an Android stereo, and new wheels transformed the experience. The moment we drove it, the CVT felt smooth and refined. Even though the previous owner had used it roughly, the car had a lot of life left. We eventually took it on a five-day, 2,000 km road trip to Hampi with five people and full luggage.

The Jazz performed beautifully, averaging 15 to 18 km/l, and cruised at 100 km/h for long stretches without breaking a sweat. The amazing part? All of this happened before we replaced worn-out components like the suspension and link rods. That trip made me realize the Jazz is one of the most underrated cars Honda has ever made.

One More Addition: Honda Brio CVT in 2024

In 2024, my brother needed a budget-friendly city car for Bangalore, ideally under ₹4 lakhs. We test-drove several options including the Alto AMT, Kwid AMT, and even considered other brands. But when we came across a 2014 Honda Brio CVT—10 years old, third-owner, but in excellent shape—we knew it was the right choice.

We purchased it from Spinny for ₹3.85 lakhs. Despite its age, the Brio was agile, reliable, and perfect for city commutes and occasional trips. It has now been a year, and the car continues to serve its purpose without a single complaint.

What Honda Cars Has Taught Us Over the Years

Owning three Honda cars—Amaze, Jazz, and Brio—over more than a decade has taught us one thing above all: Honda builds cars for the people inside them. They’re not just about engines or features, but about reliability, comfort, and peace of mind. Even after all these years, Honda has given us the confidence to travel anywhere, knowing the car will never let us down. While we did have a bitter experience with one service center, the cars themselves have been solid, trustworthy companions.

Even a beaten-up Honda, if treated right with timely oil changes and maintenance, runs like a horse. That’s the hallmark of Japanese engineering. I’ve recommended Honda cars to many relatives, and most are still happily driving them today. When someone asks me which car they should buy, my answer always begins with Honda.

Looking Ahead: Honda City Hybrid, Here We Come

We still have our beloved Honda Jazz and plan to keep it running strong. But when the time comes for our next upgrade, we already know what it will be—a Honda City Hybrid. Because after all these years and hundreds of thousands of kilometers, there’s only one brand we trust completely on Indian roads. And that’s Honda.