The Honda Activa has been a cornerstone in the Indian scooter market for nearly two decades. Since its launch, it has redefined what a scooter should be: reliable, efficient, and incredibly easy to use for all kinds of riders. Its versatility, combined with Honda’s engineering excellence, has helped it dominate the Indian two-wheeler market,
making it the go-to choice for both young commuters and older generations alike. The Activa is, without a doubt, one of the most popular scooters in India, and the 5G variant, which was launched in 2018, still carries forward the legacy of its predecessors with some welcome improvements.
While newer models of the Activa have launched since the 5G, this variant remains an icon for its remarkable blend of performance, comfort, and efficiency. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Honda Activa 5G, discussing its design, performance, features, and what makes it stand out in the competitive scooter market.
A Legacy of Reliability and Comfort
When Honda introduced the Activa in 2000, it was a game-changer in the Indian two-wheeler industry. Prior to its release, scooters were primarily seen as an option for families or older generations, but the Activa introduced a new dynamic—reliable, stylish, and easy-to-ride two-wheeled transportation for anyone. Over the years, the Activa has undergone several iterations, with each version offering something new while maintaining the core strengths that made it a household name.
The Activa 5G, introduced in 2018, marked a milestone in the scooter’s evolution, offering a blend of modern features without compromising on the elements that made the Activa so successful: reliability, comfort, and ease of use. The Activa 5G continued to feature the same robust build, exceptional fuel efficiency, and user-friendly design, but with minor cosmetic and mechanical upgrades that kept it in line with current trends.
Design and Styling: Timeless Elegance
The Honda Activa 5G is a visual testament to Honda’s design philosophy: combining simplicity with elegance. The scooter retains the same well-proportioned design that has made the Activa synonymous with understated style. The rounded contours, sleek body panels, and chrome accents give the Activa 5G a sophisticated yet functional appearance that appeals to a wide demographic.
At the front, the Activa 5G features a smart headlamp with a sharp visor design, flanked by the signature stylish blinkers. This update made the front of the scooter look modern and fresh, giving it a more contemporary edge while still retaining its recognizable Activa identity. The front apron is clean and smooth, with stylish scoops that not only add aesthetic appeal but also contribute to aerodynamics. Additionally, the addition of LED lights for the tail lamp and the front indicators improved the scooter’s visibility, enhancing safety during night rides.
The scooter’s rear section has a well-sculpted design with a comfortable seat and sleek grab rails for the pillion. The wide footboard allows for ease of riding, making it practical for both city commuting and longer trips. The Activa 5G is designed with a blend of elegance and practicality, which is exactly what makes it so versatile.
Engine and Performance: Power Meets Efficiency
The Honda Activa 5G is powered by a 109.19cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, which delivers an output of around 8 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 9 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. While these numbers may not scream performance, they are more than adequate for a scooter designed primarily for daily commuting. The engine is tuned to offer smooth power delivery, making it ideal for navigating city traffic with ease.
The Activa 5G is equipped with a V-Matic transmission, which is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that ensures smooth and seamless power transfer from the engine to the wheels. This automatic transmission setup allows the rider to focus on the road without the hassle of gear shifting, making it incredibly user-friendly.
One of the key highlights of the Activa 5G is its fuel efficiency. The scooter delivers an average mileage of around 45 to 50 km/l, making it an excellent option for commuters who want a scooter that won’t break the bank when it comes to fuel costs. The engine, while not the most powerful in its class, strikes the right balance between performance and economy, ensuring that it remains one of the most cost-effective scooters to run.
Whether you are riding through traffic, running errands, or cruising down highways, the Activa 5G provides a stable, consistent performance that ensures a comfortable ride. The engine offers good low-end torque, making it ideal for quick takeoffs and city commutes. The smoothness of the engine, combined with its efficient fuel consumption, makes it a great option for daily commuting.
Ride Comfort: Handling Made Easy
One of the standout features of the Honda Activa 5G is its comfort. Honda has designed the Activa to be easy to ride, even for beginners or those who have little experience with scooters. The Activa 5G features a well-tuned suspension setup that includes telescopic forks at the front and a spring-loaded hydraulic suspension at the rear. This setup ensures that the scooter provides a smooth and comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and road imperfections effectively.
The seat of the Activa 5G is generously padded, ensuring comfort on both short city commutes and longer journeys. Its ergonomic design offers good support, with a slightly raised pillion seat for better comfort for the passenger. The scooter also benefits from a low seat height of 765 mm, making it accessible for riders of all sizes, especially shorter riders who may find other scooters difficult to mount.
Another important aspect of the Activa 5G’s ride comfort is its lightweight and balanced chassis, which makes it easy to maneuver, even in tight spaces or dense traffic. Its responsive handling and stability contribute to the overall confidence that riders feel when riding it, making it one of the most beginner-friendly scooters in its segment.
Technology and Features: Modern Convenience
While the Honda Activa 5G maintains its traditional appeal, it also incorporates modern features to keep it relevant in today’s market. The scooter comes equipped with a digital-analog instrument cluster, which offers clear and easy-to-read information. It displays speed, fuel level, trip meter, odometer readings, and a clock, providing the rider with all the necessary data during their ride. The digital display adds a touch of modernity to the overall design, while maintaining the simplicity that Activa users have come to expect.
Another key feature of the Activa 5G is the maintenance-free battery, which ensures hassle-free ownership and adds to the overall convenience of using the scooter. Honda has also integrated a mobile charging socket into the storage compartment, providing added practicality for riders who need to charge their phones on the go.
The wide under-seat storage is one of the most practical features of the Activa 5G. It offers ample space to store a helmet, bags, or groceries, making it ideal for daily use. In addition, the inclusion of combination braking system (CBS) ensures that the rider can safely brake by applying both the front and rear brakes simultaneously, further improving the overall safety of the scooter.
Safety: A Priority on the Road
Honda has always placed a strong emphasis on safety, and the Activa 5G is no exception. The scooter is equipped with CBS (Combined Braking System), which ensures that the braking force is distributed evenly between the front and rear wheels, offering better stability and shorter stopping distances. This system is especially useful in emergency braking situations, providing enhanced control and minimizing the risk of accidents.
The Activa 5G also comes equipped with tubeless tires, which are safer in the event of a puncture, as they allow the rider to continue riding for a short distance even with a reduced air pressure. The scooter’s lightweight and stable design contribute to a high level of confidence when navigating through city streets, ensuring a safe and enjoyable riding experience.
Pricing and Verdict: A Top Choice in the Scooter Market
The Honda Activa 5G has always been positioned as an affordable, reliable, and practical scooter. With its blend of modern features, comfortable ride, and efficient performance, the Activa 5G remains a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable two-wheeler for daily commuting. The scooter’s competitive pricing ensures that it continues to be an accessible option for a wide range of riders.
Whether you are a student, a working professional, or someone looking for a reliable family scooter, the Honda Activa 5G continues to deliver exceptional value. It may not offer the most powerful engine in the market, but its blend of efficiency, ease of use, and comfort ensures that it remains one of the best scooters in its class.
In conclusion, the Honda Activa 5G is an ideal scooter for riders looking for practicality, comfort, and reliability in a two-wheeler. With its modern features, smooth performance, and established legacy, it continues to be the quintessential scooter for the modern rider, earning its place as a dominant force in the Indian scooter market.