Honda Activa 5G

At the front, the Activa features an LED headlamp along with the LED position lamp, which was first introduced in the Grazia. It also gets chrome accents on the front panel, which lends a classy touch and a fresh look to the scooter. It also gets a 3D emblem on the side panels. The rear features a conventional bulb-type tail lamp and turn signal indicators, along with silver painted grab rails. The top-spec model of the Activa 5G gets a digital-analogue instrument console that includes an analogue speedometer and digital readouts like odometer, tripmeter, fuel gauge, clock, service reminder and ECO indicator. The base-spec variant, on the other hand, comes with an all-analogue instrument console. Featuring an all-metal body, the Activa weighs 109kg which is 2kg more than the Honda Grazia which uses a plastic body.

The 4-in-1 ignition key slot now comes with a boot release switch to open the seat. Other features include Automatic Headlamp On (AHO), mobile charging socket, a front hook and a rear retractable hook. The underseat storage capacity of 18 litres is enough to fit in a half face helmet or other small items.

Powering the Activa 5G is the tried and tested 109.19cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, BSIV-compliant engine that generates a max power of 8.11PS @ 7500rpm and peak torque of 9Nm @ 5500rpm, mated to a CVT gearbox. The engine is equipped with Honda’s Eco Technology (HET) to provide better fuel efficiency. Honda claims that the scooter can clock a top speed of 83kmph and returns a mileage of 60kmpl.

The CVT transmission tune remains the same and largely favours city conditions. This means, while the Activa 5G doesn't feel peppy off the line and takes 10.55 seconds to get from 0-60kmph (9.36 seconds on the Honda Dio), it feels composed, which is preferred by elder riders. More importantly, it manages in-city acceleration from 20-80kmph in 17.65 seconds (19.64 seconds on the Dio), which is quite impressive. We achieved a VBox-tested top speed of 90.77kmph on the Activa.

Under our fuel efficiency tests, the Activa 5G returned a tested 58kmpl in the city, the second-best figure we’ve got in this segment after the Jupiter. And with a tank capacity of 5.3 litres, you are looking at a range close to 300km.

The Activa's motor feels refined at speeds of upto 60kmph and there are barely any vibrations to complain about. But go past that and the motor starts to feel gruff. Even the fuel economy drops to 55kmpl on the highways. 

Suspension duties on the Activa 5G are handled by a bottom link front suspension and rear hydraulic shock absorber. It comes fitted with 10-inch pressed steel wheels which are wrapped in tubeless tyres.

Braking is via 130mm drum brakes on both ends aided by Honda’s Combined Braking System (CBS). Interestingly, there’s no option of a disc brake or alloy wheels in the latest Activa 5G.

Talking about safety, there's no option of a disc brake in the Activa 5G, however, both its variants feature Honda's Combined Braking System (CBS) which makes braking safer for novice riders. CBS activates both the brakes simultaneously even when only the rear brake lever is pressed, thereby distributing the brake load.

The LED headlamp is another big plus as it has a widespread throw. Also, the Activa 5G comes with Automatic Headlamp On (AHO).