TVS Jupiter 125 Review: Likes and Dislikes

Does the new family 125cc scooter manage to impress us in the real world as it did at the test track a few months ago?

After pleasing sporty scooter enthusiasts, TVS turned its attention to the more conventional scooter buyer, specifically in the 125cc segment. Thus, the Jupiter 125 was born. We were mighty impressed with the scooter at the TVS test track in Hosur. However, does the same hold true in the real world, where it is actually meant to do its work? 

LIKES

Incredibly comfortable

Think of your favourite reading chair. Now, think of it on two wheels. Those are the Jupiter 125’s ergonomics for you. The bars are nice and high, the floor is extremely spacious and two large riders will sit comfortably on its long and well-cushioned seat. At 765mm, the seat height isn’t too tall but shorter riders might still have to scoot a bit forwards to flat foot the scooter as the seat isn’t too narrow towards the front.

What blows you away next is just how comfy the ride is. Broken tarmac stretches, road ripples, sharp edges and other small road imperfections are barely felt. Even when going over the larger bumps, and that too with a pillion, the Jupiter remains composed, the suspension regaining its composure in an instant and no wallowiness to speak of.

Phenomenal Packaging

With the fuel tank now located beneath the floorboard, the Jupiter’s underseat storage compartment is huge! 33 litres of storage space would be enough to carry back a month’s worth of groceries from your nearby market. And if you somehow manage to run out of space, there are two luggage hooks on the apron, where you can mount a few more shopping bags. 

TVS claims that the floor is big enough to carry a gas cylinder on it and it is, as long as you place it horizontally. Even then, I found my size 10 riding boots jutting out slightly, which was no big fuss. 

Extreme Convenience

TVS has simplified the fuel filling process greatly with the Jupiter 125. On most scooters with an external fuel filler cap, you would at least have to look behind, if not get off your seat to access the cap. But since the lid is located on the left side of the front apron, and is opened via the multi-function ignition key slot, you can simply roll up to a pump and fill gas without even getting off the scooter. Even the boot can be unlocked via the ignition key slot.

MEH BITS

Average Fuel Efficiency Scores

Compared to its fiercest rivals, the Access and the Activa, the Jupiter does deliver better fuel efficiency in the city, almost 5kmpl more than the Japanese duo. However, it isn’t quite as fuel efficient as the new RayZR 125 Hybrid and on the highway, even its sportier cousin, the NTorq 125 Race XP, outscored it. 

Decent Performance

Much like the fuel efficiency, the performance of the Jupiter too is more or less on par with 125cc scooters and not wowing. It is quite a bit slower to get off the line than the Access 125 but is just as quick in the roll-on acceleration. Hence, overtaking on daily commutes isn’t much of a bother.

DISLIKES

Pricey

TVS is charging quite a premium for the disc brake variant of the Jupiter 125. At Rs 81,300 (ex-Delhi), the Jupiter 125 costs almost Rs 6,000 more than equally equipped Access 125. And for the same price, you can also get the Access 125’s smartphone connectivity-enabled variant, which has turn-by-turn navigation.

Verdict

The TVS Jupiter 125 turns out to be a good family 125cc scooter, one that scores incredibly on the comfort and convenience fronts. Its performance is decent for a family scooter and so are the fuel efficiency scores. It costs quite a bit more, and that’s kind of the problem for us to recommend this scooter over the Access 125. We hope to put the two to the test soon to know whether there’s a new king in town or the old champ still has some tricks up its sleeve.