Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter comparison: Sense and Sensibility

The scooters you see here are two of the highest-selling two-wheelers in India and really require no introduction. Moreover, chances are, if you’re in the market for a brand-new scooter, you’re probably looking at one of these – the Honda Activa and the TVS Jupiter. We’ve ridden these two around Mumbai for a fair few days to determine which one deserves your money.

Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter design and features

Both have their own strong points and weaknesses

Between the two, the Activa is the more recognisable because its straightforward appearance has only seen minor nip-and-tuck jobs in the 25 years it has been on sale. Some might even say it’s a little long in the tooth now, especially when parked next to the newer, more stylish Jupiter. However, a quick look at the sales statistics proves that market demand for the Honda is clearly unaffected by its design. As you’d expect from a Honda, the Activa’s quality levels are quite commendable for a product in this class.

The Jupiter's design feels much more modern in comparison to the Activa's.

Thankfully, while the Activa’s silhouette hasn’t changed much, Honda has sprinkled in a fair few features, especially so on this top Smart variant. Over here, you get a well-laid-out, Bluetooth-compatible colour TFT display – surrounded by a little too much black plastic, though – complemented by a tactile four-way joystick, keyless ignition and start/stop tech. This is also the only variant to get alloy wheels. The keyless ignition, in particular, adds a layer of convenience to the experience that no other rival in the segment matches.

The Activa’s colour TFT dash is really slick and intuitive.

However, some areas where the Activa clearly feels its age are its small 18-litre underseat storage area, the archaic two-hands-necessary rear brake lock clasp, and the lack of a front disc brake, even as an option.

The Activa’s 18 litre boot feels too small in 2025.

The topic of features is a rather nice way to segue to the Jupiter, because with its 33-litre boot, apron-mounted fuel filler, electric boost, 12-inch wheels, front disc brake, and much more, it is ahead of the Activa. While the Jupiter also has start/stop tech, its execution isn’t as straightforward because TVS has chosen to prioritise safety over an immediate response, which can be annoying in big-city traffic.

The Jupiter’s cavernous 33 litre boot is an unbeatable USP.

Unlike the Activa’s system, where all you need to do is twist the accelerator to get going, the Jupiter’s system needs you to hold the brake as well and then release the accelerator momentarily before you can make a move. Another area where the Jupiter can do better is in the display. Don’t get me wrong, the colour LCD is info-rich and well laid-out, but at the end of the day, nothing matches the feel-good factor of the colour TFT you get with the Honda.

The Jupiter's LCD dash quite small and a little cluttered.

Those little quibbles aside, the Jupiter is an impressive machine, and judging by how many latest Jupiters are plying our roads today, TVS too seems to have hit the ground running. 

Some small but noteworthy features on the Jupiter that will actually be helpful in day-to-day situations are its handy parking brake lock clasp, which literally takes just a single finger to operate, and its light centre-stand mechanism, which allows smaller riders to prop it up on the stand with just a single push. Other niceties include a handlebar that doesn’t foul with taller riders’ knees when making lock-to-lock U-turns and the fact that TVS has given you a winged adjuster for the rear shock, making it super easy to bump up spring preload when carrying a pillion and/or luggage. 

Of course, if this was just a spec-sheet shootout, the Jupiter would have already been declared the winner by now, but in our findings after riding them back-to-back, it’s not as straightforward in the real world.

Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter performance, ride and handling

Activa a perfectly pleasant machine to ride but Jupiter has the clear edge here

We’ll start with the Activa once more, because this is arguably the benchmark for most people, and it’s not hard to see why. It has a smooth, peppy engine, neutral ergonomics and pretty good ride comfort, setting a really high baseline. But then you get on the Jupiter, and suddenly, many things become better.

Jupiter has the better ride and handling balance between the two.

This feels a little strange to pen down, but TVS has created an engine that’s smoother than Honda’s, although it does judder noticeably more at idle. Performance is not a valuable metric to a family scooter buyer, but crucially, the Jupiter’s engine feels more relaxed and responsive in every scenario. Its ride and handling balance, too, is a cut above the Activa, and while the difference isn’t large, the TVS’ better high-speed stability and well-judged suspension setup help it feel more sure-footed than the Honda.

In our tests, both scooters were evenly matched in terms of performance and braking, but the Jupiter was quicker than the Activa in roll-on acceleration due to its sharper throttle response and momentary electric boost. While the stopping force on both is rather evenly matched, the Jupiter’s front disc inspires more confidence and won’t need repeated adjustment like the Activa’s drum, which makes all the difference.

Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter fuel economy

Both are very fuel efficient but Activa edges ahead 

The difference that’s more likely to matter to the average person, though, is fuel economy. It’s here that the Activa ekes out a small but crucial advantage over the Jupiter. Both scooters weigh exactly the same and have start/stop tech, so the difference is likely down to the Honda’s frugal engine.

Honda Activa vs TVS Jupiter price and verdict

Activa rightly a juggernaut in sales figures but does fall behind in some areas

That said, aside from the important factor of fuel efficiency, we’ve established by now that, by and large, whatever the Honda Activa does well, the TVS Jupiter does even better.

The Jupiter is the better product but the Activa's stranglehold over the market continues.

But there are still some reasons why nobody has been able to dethrone the Activa yet. Its reputation for bulletproof reliability, stellar resale value and great fuel efficiency are very tangible reasons why people all across the country have flocked to Honda showrooms for the near 25 years it has been on sale now.

And this version, with its convenient key fob, good-looking TFT dash and slick start/stop tech, makes a solid case for itself. Even today, despite not being the flashiest offering out there, there’s a credible case to be made for choosing it. 

Jupiter is the more compelling product and priced keenly too

At the same time, I cannot ignore just how much better the TVS Jupiter is on pure objective terms. It is the more practical of the two (the big boot makes a big difference), its engine is even smoother and doesn’t feel as strained at faster highway speeds, it has the better suspension comfort and high-speed composure, and it looks and feels more modern, which is something the Activa just can’t do.

However, as our readers have pointed out repeatedly, TVS’ reputation for service is rather hit or miss, and that’s one area where the company has some work to do.

That said, as a product, the Jupiter does so many things expected of a scooter so well (while also costing a little less) that we have to declare it the winner of this comparison.