Meet The Honda Activa’s Cute, Retro Younger Sibling

Honda has taken the wraps off its entry-level, commuter scooter for the American market: the 2022 Metropolitan scooter.

For 2022, the Metropolitan has been left as is. The styling is quirky, old-school, and likeable, and it gives off a Vespa vibe but feels a little chunkier. Adding a premium touch to the design are numerous chrome elements like the scooter emblem, indicator covers, headlamp and taillamp nacelles, along with the round mirrors. 

Being a bare-bones scooter, there aren’t many features to talk about. You get halogen lights all around, a multifunction key, an engine start/stop switch, and an analogue instrument cluster with a small digital insert. Practicality is a strong aspect for the Metropolitan, since you get a fairly spacious 22-litre underseat storage and two small front cubby spaces. 

With a seat height of just 720mm, the scooter is very accessible too. For reference, the Activa 6G has a seat height of 765mm.

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Under the skin, the Metropolitan employs a 49cc single-cylinder motor. Honda hasn’t revealed its power figures, but we don’t expect a lot from such a small engine. Nevertheless, for the purpose it serves (grocery runs and city commute), a 50cc engine should be somewhat adequate, especially considering the scooter weighs just over 80kg. 

The scooter rolls on 10-inch wheels, suspended on a telescopic fork and a single shock absorber, with drum brakes anchoring the scooter at both ends. 

Honda has priced the Metropolitan at $2500. While this is a decent price in the USA, it means over Rs 1.8 lakh here, making it a super expensive proposition.