2018 Honda Activa 5G: What’s New?

The Honda Activa, which debuted in 2000, has been the go-to scooter for countless Indian families thanks to its reliable and frugal nature. In fact, it is estimated that Honda sells one Activa every 5 seconds! No wonder then that this scooter commands 51 per cent of scooter sales and has replaced the Hero Splendor to become the best-selling two-wheeler in the country. However, with rival manufacturers launching scooters with better designs and features, it was time the Activa received an upgrade. And that’s exactly what we got at the 2018 Auto Expo. Called the Activa 5G, the fifth-generation of the scooter gets a couple of extra features and styling tweaks. But is it enough to keep it at the top of the table? To find out, let’s take a quick look at the new features the scooter packs.

What’s Changed?

Now offered in two variants

Unlike the previous generation 4G model, the Activa 5G is sold in two variants - Standard and Deluxe. The standard variant is priced at Rs 52,460 (an increase of Rs 1,000 over the 4G), while the ‘DLX’ variant, which gets a semi-digital instrument console, retails for Rs 54,325 (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).

LED headlamps

Honda has replaced the conventional headlamp setup with an all-LED unit as standard on the new scooter. The other two scooters that feature an LED headlamp unit are the new Honda Dio and Grazia.

4-in-1 lock mechanism

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The Activa 5G now comes with a 4-in-1 lock mechanism seen on the Grazia and the new Dio. This nifty feature lets you conveniently open/close the seat. However, you still need to get off the scooter during fuel stops as it lacks an external fuel filler cap.

Semi-digital instrument console

The fifth-gen scooter gets a new semi-digital instrument console with an ECO speed indicator and a service reminder, borrowed from the 125cc Honda Grazia. However, this feature is available only on the pricier 'DLX' variant.

Subtle cosmetic updates and new colour

While the Activa 5G looks exactly like its predecessor, the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer has introduced a couple of subtle cosmetic changes. These include chrome inserts on the front apron and a new metallic yellow colour.

What hasn’t?

Same design

While the Activa 5G does get a new colour, it doesn’t really look like a generation above the Activa 4G. It continues to sport its trademark design that has been stapled into our minds for so many years.

Same engine

Powering the Activa 5G is the same 109.19cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, which produces 8PS of power at 7500rpm and 9Nm of torque at 5500rpm.

Same underpinnings

The fifth-gen scooter continues to be equipped with an old-school bottom-link suspension at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. Braking duties are handled by 130mm drum units with Honda’s CBS technology. Its 10-inch wheels are shod with 90/100 tubeless tyres.

What we want

Although it’s a new model, there’s barely anything that sets it apart from the Activa 4G. While the Honda Activa 5G does come with an LED headlight, which is a first in its segment, we can’t help but wonder if the addition of an external fuel-filler cap, optional disc brake, telescopic front forks and larger wheels would've justified the “fifth-generation” tag a lot better. That said, we can only keep our fingers crossed and expect Honda to offer these features in the next generation model.