Hero Xoom 110 First Ride Review: Likes & Dislikes

This scooter has a few segment-first features, but is that enough to defeat the Honda Dio?

A sporty scooter was missing in Hero MotoCorp’s portfolio until now. With the new Xoom 110, the Indian two-wheeler giant has changed that. Surprisingly, the scooter was launched with the brand’s 110cc engine and not the 125cc unit from the Maestro Edge 125 and the Destini 125. We got to experience the new Hero Xoom for a brief period and here’s what we liked and disliked about the scooter:

LIKES

Performance

The 110.9cc engine on the Hero Xoom is the most powerful unit in the segment, and it feels so when riding too. It feels peppy and eager to deliver its 8.15PS, and we even managed a top speed of a speedo-indicated 90kmph. Interestingly, the engine feels very refined and happy at speeds over 80kmph. So, quick overtakes or getting off a signal is not going to be a problem with the Hero Xoom 110.

Refinement as a whole, though, could’ve been better as there’s quite a bit of buzz that filters through the floor at commuting speeds. 

Handling

Despite being one of the heaviest scooters in the segment, the Hero Xoom masks its weight well. Be it moving around the parking lot or making your way through traffic, it feels pretty light on its feet. 

This is chiefly thanks to its wide 12-inch MRF tyres, which give confidence when filtering through traffic or even when going through corners. And complementing this is the suspension setup of the scooter that is slightly on the firmer side, which aids sporty riding. However, we’ll reserve our judgement till we put the scooter through a proper road test.

Styling

Agreed, the design of the Hero Xoom has similarities with the TVS NTorq 125, but it’s not really a bad thing either. The Hero Xoom is the most attractive-looking scooter from the manufacturer. Elements like the H-shaped LED DRL and taillight add to the visual appeal of the scooter. With its integrated pillion grab rail and cubby holes on the apron, the scooter gets a dash of practicality too.

DISLIKES

Features

For a scooter that packs the most features in the segment, this is a bit disappointing. For starters, the star feature of the Xoom – cornering lights, came across as a gimmick rather than being a useful tool. Firstly, the position of the lights are too low, which limits the throw, making them useless around sweeping corners or hairpin bends. Then comes the sensitivity of the sensor, which turns the light off as soon as you get the scooter upright. Having them on for a second or two longer would have made it worth the addition.

Then there’s the all-digital console. It has a bunch of features including mileage indicator and Bluetooth connectivity. However, it gets basic functionalities like call and SMS alerts but lacks turn-by-turn navigation, something that the TVS Jupiter gets.

Brakes

The braking of the Hero Xoom is not impressive, either. In the brief time we had the scooter for, we found the levers to lack feedback and the brakes felt wooden. However, we’ll understand how it fares against the competition after properly testing the Xoom.

Verdict

The Hero Xoom has been priced at Rs 68,599, Rs 71,799 and Rs 76,799 for the LX, VX and ZX variants, respectively (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). At this price, it is more affordable than its closest rival, the TVS Jupiter ZX SmartXonnect variant which demands Rs 85,673 and the Honda Dio which costs Rs 76,626. 

However, the Xoom’s prices are introductory, so these are bound to increase in the coming months. But even then, the Hero Xoom is worth considering if you are looking for a sporty scooter with fresh styling and features. 

But can it pose a threat to the Honda Dio’s dominion? Well, that’s something we’ll figure out after a proper road test. So stay tuned.