Honda ADV160 vs rivals: specification comparison

The premium maxi-scooter segment is steadily gathering momentum in India, and Honda has now committed to it with the unveiling of the much-anticipated ADV160. The adventure-styled scooter joins the Hero Xoom 160 and Yamaha Aerox 155, giving buyers another premium 160cc, liquid-cooled option.

Honda, however, has arrived with a trick up its sleeve. The ADV160 has been showcased with an E85-compatible flex-fuel engine, making it the first flex-fuel scooter to be showcased in India. We compare its specifications with those of its closest rivals to see how the three stack up on paper.

Honda ADV160 vs rivals: Engine and output

The ADV160 produces the most power and torque

The Honda has the upper hand on paper here, producing the highest output while boasting a power-to-weight ratio that's just marginally lower than that of the Aerox. Interestingly, these output figures are higher than those of the ADV160 sold in several overseas markets. Honda also pulled a surprise by showcasing the ADV160 with an E85-compatible flex-fuel engine, making it the first flex-fuel scooter to be showcased in India. While ethanol's higher octane rating can allow manufacturers to adopt more aggressive engine calibration, Honda hasn't attributed the ADV160's class-leading performance specifically to its flex-fuel capability. The Aerox 155 follows closely behind and, thanks to its lower kerb weight, isn't far off the ADV160 in terms of power-to-weight ratio. The Xoom 160, meanwhile, ranks third on outright performance and also has the lowest power-to-weight ratio, owing largely to it being the heaviest scooter in this comparison.

Honda ADV160 vs rivals: Weight and dimension

The ADV160 comes with the most fuel-carrying capacity

Honda is yet to reveal most of the ADV160's weight and dimension specifications for the India-spec model, so the figures above have been sourced from the scooter sold in international markets and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Even so, the ADV160 appears to strike a middle ground between its two rivals, undercutting both in seat height while offering the largest underseat storage and fuel tank. The Aerox 155 remains the lightest scooter here and also has the longest wheelbase, while the Xoom 160 is the heaviest but offers a higher ground clearance than the Yamaha.

Honda ADV160 vs rivals: Tyres, brakes and suspension

All three scooters get single-channel ABS

There's little to separate the three scooters when it comes to cycle parts, with telescopic front forks, twin rear shock absorbers and single-channel ABS standard across the board. The ADV160 and Xoom 160 get a larger 240mm front disc, while the Aerox uses a slightly smaller 230mm unit. Hero has equipped the Xoom with the widest front tyre, whereas the Aerox gets the widest rear tyre. The ADV160, meanwhile, is the only scooter here to combine a 14-inch front wheel with a 13-inch rear, while both the Xoom and Aerox ride on 14-inch wheels at both ends. 

Honda ADV160 vs rivals: Features

ADV160 has two segment-leading features

The ADV160 clearly leads the way when it comes to features. It is the only scooter here to combine a TFT instrument cluster with traction control, an adjustable windscreen and an idling stop system, while also offering the largest underseat storage. The Xoom 160 and Aerox 155 both get smartphone connectivity, navigation and keyless ignition, but rely on LCD instrument clusters. Of the two, only the Aerox offers traction control, while the Xoom counters with an adventure-style design and a competitive feature list. Overall, Honda has equipped the ADV160 with the most comprehensive package on paper.

Honda ADV160 vs rivals: Price

ADV160 is the most expensive pick

Honda has just announced the price for the ADV160. Nationwide bookings have also opened, with deliveries expected to commence mid-October. Honda has also confirmed that the scooter will be available via both RedWing and BigWing showrooms, giving it an advantage over both its rivals. The Aerox is only available in Blue Square showrooms, a smaller sub section of Yamaha India's overall showroom network. The Xoom 160 on the other hand is limited to Hero Premia showrooms. This makes Honda's maxi scooter the most expensive offering in the segment, but offers the most power, space, and features in exchange.

All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, Bengaluru.