2024 Hero Destini 125 First Ride Review

The Hero Destini 125 was launched in 2018 and has come a long way since then with many different updates and editions rolled out over the years. Currently, we have seen many popular Indian scooters receive updates to keep up with the modern times and for 2024, the Hero Destini 125 gets a proper facelift alongside minor upgrades. Goa is surely a great place to cruise around on a scooter and that is exactly what we got to do for a few hours with the new Destini 125 to bring you our impressions.

2024 Hero Destini 125: Design

The new Destini 125 has a similar silhouette to the previous model when you look at it from the side profile but some new elements set it apart. At the front, it gets a new neo-retro-styled LED DRL with a projector headlamp. At the rear, we see an H-shaped LED tail light with a cowl on top housing the external fuel-filling lid. It is also quite a rugged scooter considering that the front fender and side panels are metal units. Hero says that they are trying to appeal to a wider audience with this updated model and there are now five colour options available. They include Eternal Black, Regal White, Mystique Magenta, Cosmic Blue, and Groovy Red. The overall build quality of the scooter is good but the finish of the paint is not the most premium in the segment.

2024 Hero Destini 125: Performance

The 125cc engine still puts out 9.12PS at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 10.4Nm at 4,000rpm. So there are no major updates to the engine apart from the CVT which has been worked on. Hero MotoCorp also claims that the Destini 125 will now deliver a fuel mileage of 59kmpl. This is something we shall have to test properly later although it is a really good claimed mileage figure for a 125cc scooter. The acceleration is linear and it has decent performance to quickly get up to speed. It is not the sportiest but has an ample amount of power to make quick overtakes in the city. This top-spec variant also gets the i3s start-stop function which increases fuel efficiency by automatically switching off the engine when the scooter is stationary for longer periods and quickly restarts upon a rider's throttle input.

2024 Hero Destini 125: Handling & Comfort

The Hero Destini 125 has a new chassis which has slightly elongated the wheelbase compared to the previous model and this in turn, also helps the scooter easily accommodate taller and shorter riders without any issue. It also gets new 12-inch wheels compared to the older 10-inch ones. The suspension setup does an astounding job of absorbing bad roads and undulations in its way and the ride quality throughout my time spent with the scooter was extremely plush. It was able to handle off-road patches even with a pillion on board without breaking a sweat. The scooter has a kerb weight of 115kg, making it slightly heavier than its competitors but it isn't felt once it is on the go.

The ergonomics are upright, the seat is quite comfortable, and there is ample space on the floorboard making it a good scooter for daily commutes. It has an accessible 770mm seat height and this top-spec variant we were riding gets a disc brake at the front. When it comes to braking feedback, the feeling at the levers is something that a rider has to get used to as it does require some effort to properly engage them. 

2024 Hero Destini 125: Features

To keep up with the demands of modern riders, the top-spec variant of the Destini now gets a fully digital dash with Bluetooth connectivity. The scooter also gets new switchgear which feels premium and a standout feature is that the start button is a backlit switch. Hero MotoCorp also tells us that the seat is now a longer unit. There is a decent amount of underseat storage but it will not fit two half-face helmets like some of its competitors. Additionally, storage space at the front comes in the form of a tiny glove compartment and a hook for carrying bags. A first-in-segment feature on the Destini 125 is self-canceling indicators but this is a feature that we shall test properly later. 

2024 Hero Destini 125: Variants

There are three variants of the Destini 125: VX, ZX, and ZX+. The base VX variant gets three colours to choose from, while the ZX and ZX+ get two colour options each. The only difference between the ZX and the ZX+ is that the ZX+ gets copper chrome accents. Both the variants (ZX and ZX+) get diamond-cut alloy wheels, disc brakes, and fully-digital displays with Bluetooth connectivity. The VX variant gets a drum brake at the front, misses out on the pillion backrest, and gets a digi-analog speedometer. 

2024 Hero Destini 125: Verdict

With all of these updates for 2024, the new Destini 125 should appeal to a wider audience. It is still a family-oriented scooter which I think will be appreciated more by the mature crowd owing to its comfort and practicality for daily commuting. The facelifted design surely gives it better road presence and the new features add to its overall appeal in terms of convenience.