Honda Dio

The Honda Dio 110 has long been a popular name in the Indian scooter market, especially among the younger audience. Over a decade ago, it was one of the sportiest and sleekest looking scooters you could buy in India. Over the years, it has transformed into a more mature and practical scooter while retaining the sporty appeal. The latest iteration of the scooter has updated styling, a more refined engine, and added practicality. I did spend some time with the scooter to see how it holds up in the highly competitive 110cc segment. 

Design

The Dio has always leaned on the sportier side in terms of styling, and that’s still very much the case. It has sharp, edgy lines dominating the front apron and side panels, while the dual-tone colour treatment on some colour schemes adds to its youthful vibe. The LED headlamp, integrated position lights, and sleek indicators give it a modern and sharp face. The tail section rises up, and the split grab rail blends into the overall sharp design. While I think the design is nice, the smaller rear wheel takes away from its aggressive stance.

Colours

The Dio 110 gets five colour options on offer including Imperial Red Metallic​, Mat Axis Gray Metallic, Mat Marvel Blue, Pearl Igneous Black, and Pearl Igneous Black + Pearl Deep Ground Gray. I personally like the Mat Marvel Blue colour scheme as it is a really nice, light shade of blue.

Build Quality

The Dio 110 feels well put together. The panels have no gaps, the paint quality is high, and the switches feel good. Overall, the scooter has the sturdy and reliable build quality one would expect from Honda. 

Convenience Features

The Dio now comes with a TFT screen in the top variant, displaying a lot of information and it is easily readable. It also displays real-time and average fuel efficiency, and range (distance to empty). The scooter is equipped with a silent start system and an idling start/stop feature as well. FOr added convenience, the scooter gets a Type-C USB charging port and an external fuel lid at the rear.

Safety Features

The Dio is equipped with a CBS (Combi-Braking System) for safer braking but misses out on a disc brake. That does feel like a miss, considering there is even no higher variant offering a disc brake. Additionally, it also gets a side-stand engine cut-off feature. 

Underseat Storage

The 18 litres underseat storage capacity is decent enough for a small helmet or a tiny backpack. It’s not the best, but functional for everyday use. There’s no boot light, though, which would’ve been useful during nighttime.

Floorboard Space

The flat floorboard has enough room to carry a small bag or grocery items, and there’s adequate space for taller riders. The hook on the front panel also adds to its practicality, allowing riders to carry small shopping bags easily.

Other Storage Options

There are two small pockets at the front which will fit items needed on the go like a mobile phone, gloves, or keys. The USB charging port is placed on top of the storage pocket on the left hand side.

Rider Comfort

The seat height is friendly at 765mm, making it accessible to a wide range of riders. The seat cushioning is adequate for short to medium commutes, but not the most plush in the segment. The upright riding position, well placed handlebar, and compact dimensions make it easy to zip through traffic. Taller riders might find it a little too compact for their liking.

Pillion Comfort

The pillion comfort is acceptable for city rides where the grab rails are easy to hold, and the grippy seat ensures the pillion doesn’t slide forward. However, for longer rides, the seat comfort is not the best.

Engine 

The Dio uses Honda’s trusted 109.51cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces 7.65PS and 9Nm. This BS6-compliant engine is more refined, starts effortlessly every time and is slightly more efficient than before. 

City Performance

The highlight of the Dio has always been its light kerb weight. It is quick off the line, and feels very nimble to navigate through traffic. Power delivery is linear and responsive, and the CVT transmission is tuned for everyday practicality rather than outright performance. It’s perfect for city commutes, school runs, or short leisure rides.

Highway Performance

While the Dio can touch a top speed of around 80kmph, it feels comfortable while it is cruising at around 55kmph to 60kmph. Above that, the engine feels slightly strained so for short highway stints, it is okay, but it’s happier when kept in the city.

Mileage

Riders can expect to get a real-world mileage in the range of 50kmpl in city riding conditions, depending on riding style and load. With its 5.3-litre fuel tank, it can easily go over two weeks before needing a refill if a rider is even using it for 15kms a day.

Handling

Thanks to its low kerb weight of 106 kg, its compact size, and sharp steering geometry, the Dio feels nimble and eager to flick through traffic. Whether it's tight U-turns or quick lane changes, the scooter handles with stability and inspires a rider with confidence.

Tyres

While the tyres offer decent grip in the dry, they’re more tuned for longevity than spirited riding. Wet grip is acceptable, but riders will have to be more aware when the conditions are unpredictable.

Brakes

The braking setup includes drum brakes at both ends with CBS. While they’re adequate for most situations, the brake feel isn’t very sharp because of no disc brake. An option would’ve greatly enhanced confidence and feel, especially at higher speeds.

Ride Quality

Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and a single spring-loaded shock at the rear. The setup is slightly on the firmer side, which helps with handling but means that I would feel sharper bumps. That said, it handles bad roads reasonably well for a scooter in this segment and doesn’t feel jittery over undulations.

Verdict

The Honda Dio 110 remains a smart buy for those seeking a sporty and reliable scooter for everyday commuting. It scores well on design, refinement, and practicality, and is backed by Honda’s trusted reliability. While it does miss out on some modern features, its strong brand value, efficient engine, and nimble character make it a compelling option for the younger crowd of today.

Price

Prices for the Dio 110 start at Rs 75,026 and go up to Rs 86,881 (ex-showroom prices). At this price, it is value for money considering the refined engine, good build quality and reliability that it offers.

Competition

There are many 110 scooters on sale but its direct competitor would be the Hero Xoom 110. The Activa 110 and Jupiter 110 can also be considered but they are more of a family-oriented offerings compared to the Sporty Dio.