Is the Yamaha FZ-S Hybrid worth the extra money?

I wanted to buy Yamaha’s FZ-S Hybrid, but wasn’t sure if it was worth the additional asking price. Does the hybrid technology make a difference to performance and efficiency? What other features does it get over the standard FZ? 

Jai Upadhyay, via mail

Autocar India says: The Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid carries a Rs 10,000 premium over the standard model, and what you get in return are three main additions: the Smart Motor Generator with idle stop-start and mild electric assist, a new TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, and a basic traction control system. In use, the TFT is a big step up from the old LCD, with a suite of connected features. Traction control, though simple, is also rare in this price bracket. However, it doesn’t make any major difference, and it is something one can live without.

Lastly, the hybrid tech doesn’t make any noticeable change to performance. The 149cc engine makes no more power than before, and performance remains modest, feeling closer to a 125cc than a proper 150cc or 160cc motorcycle. However, the stop-start system works quite well, and in our tests, the FZ-S Hybrid did return a marginally better efficiency figure than the standard variant.  

So, while the Hybrid variant does deliver more features and slightly higher efficiency, the improvements are not transformative. The extra Rs 10,000 buys a bit of convenience and tech rather than noticeable gains in performance. If you happen to be focused on better efficiency and tech, it might feel justified. However, if you’re looking for a bump in performance or are on a tighter budget, then we’d advise choosing between one of the lower FZ models and saving the money. 

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