The Aprilia SR 175 succeeds the SR 160, carrying forward the SR line’s reputation for sporty Italian design, lively character and strong performance – traits long associated with the larger 150cc and 160cc models. Here are three reasons to consider it and two reasons you might want to look elsewhere.
Reasons to buy the Aprilia SR 175
1. Peppy performance, strong brakes
From the word go, the Aprilia SR 175 feels eager and quick, making it great fun to launch from stop lights and leave traffic behind. Its enlarged 174.7cc engine pulls strongly, and in our tests, it was nearly neck-and-neck with the Yamaha Aerox 155 up to 60kph, before the more powerful Japanese scooter began to edge ahead.
The front brake delivers a strong yet progressive bite and does most of the work, while the rear drum mainly keeps things balanced. Like the SR 160, it comes with single-channel ABS as standard; it works well overall, though it can cut in a little too early under hard braking.
2. Surefooted handling
Sporty and stable handling have long been an ‘Aprilia SR’ trademark, and the 175 delivers more of the same. Its 14-inch wheels wrapped in chunky 120-section tyres give you the confidence to tip it into corners, while the suspension keeps it planted over bumps. Our test unit was shod in Vee Rubber tyres, though Aprilia also sources from MRF and Ceat, and which brand you get is down to luck.
3. Striking looks, new features
The sharp, angular bodywork of the Aprilia SR 175 is carried over almost unchanged from the SR 160. Although the design has been around for nearly a decade, it is still regarded as distinctive and manages to draw attention amid the sea of everyday commuters. Two new colour schemes – white/red and purple/red, both inspired by the RS 457 sportbike – have been introduced.
In terms of features, a notable upgrade has been made with the fitment of a crisp 5-inch TFT display, also sourced from the RS 457 and operated via newly designed switchgear. This colour unit replaces the basic monotone LCD that was previously fitted to the SR 160, giving the cockpit a more modern appearance.
Reasons to not buy the SR 175
1. Missing basic features
The Aprilia SR 175 gains a TFT dash but misses out on several basic convenience features, including a multi-function ignition slot, front-apron cubby, brake-lock clasp, external fuel filler, start/stop tech and even a quiet start. Boot space, never a strong point for the SR range, remains limited – even an Indian half-face helmet is a tight fit.
2. Practicality, space for tall riders
Sporty, focused scooters like this one typically fall short when it comes to the comfort and spaciousness offered by more practical mainstream models. The Aprilia SR 175 stays somewhat true to that theme, though it’s not as uncompromising as its earlier versions. Its sloped rider’s seat, which still carries over for 2025, requires you to constantly shift your position and doesn’t offer much in terms of space or cushioning.
Vishal Venugopal
Autocar India News Desk
Deepak Pachauri
Dinshaw Magol
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