Some time ago, we had exclusively reported that the Honda ADV160 maxi-scooter is going to be launched in India and now we have a confirmed timeline to corroborate the same. Our sister publication, Autocar Professional, has learned that Honda is actively working on localizing the ADV160 for India and the scooter will be launched in India in the next two quarters - which means either later this year or perhaps by early 2027.
- Honda ADV160’s engine makes 16hp, 14.7Nm of torque
- Weighs 133kg, 780mm seat height and 165mm ground clearance
- Will be localized and fully made in India, for local and global markets both
The sub-200cc maxi-scooter space in India has very few contenders, especially if you consider models available with liquid-cooled engines only, which includes the Yamaha Aerox 155 and Hero Xoom 160. Similar to these two, the ADV160 is powered by a liquid-cooled, 157cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 16hp at 8,500rpm and 14.7Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.
Like the Xoom and Aerox, the ADV160 uses an underbone frame with a prominent spine section, which means there is no storage space on the floorboard, just like on the Hero and Yamaha. That said, the ADV160 does have a decent 27 litres of storage space available under the seat. There’s also a small cubby on the front apron - claimed 2 litre storage space - with a USB charger.
The underpinnings are pretty straightforward, with a 31mm telescopic fork (129mm of travel) and twin shock absorbers (100mm of travel), both supplied by Showa, handling suspension duties. To handle braking, the ADV160 employs a 240mm front disc combined with a 130mm rear drum. The ADV also comes standard with single-channel ABS, like its rivals from Hero and Yamaha.
One thing to note is that the ADV160 runs on a 14/13-inch (F/R) wheel setup, unlike the 14-inch units at both ends on comparable rivals. With a 780mm seat height and 165mm of ground clearance, the ADV160 should be approachable enough for Indian riders and capable of tackling our road conditions, respectively. At 133kg, the ADV160 is 7 kilos heavier than an Aerox, but 9 kilos lighter than a Xoom 160. However, at 8.1 litres, it holds more fuel than either of the aforementioned two.
It remains to be seen if the ADV160 gets a unique styling package for our market, something that Honda occasionally does with other global products that are brought here. It is also a decently feature-rich scooter, with its feature set comprising a digital dash, keyless ignition, start/stop tech, all-LED lighting, an adjustable windscreen and a USB charger. One unique feature on the US-spec ADV160 is that it has a two-position adjustable windscreen, something which will be a segment first if it comes on the India-spec model.
From what we have learnt, Honda is planning to launch the ADV160 in the next two quarters, which means the launch should happen by late 2026 or early next year. Considering that Honda is localizing the ADV160 and it will be fully manufactured in India, for sale in both local and export markets, the scooter should be priced competitively. Whether this Honda product will command a premium over its rivals (as many Hondas do) remains to be seen. As for where it will be retailed from, it's likely that this will be Honda’s first scooter in this displacement bracket to be retailed from the BigWing network owing to the ADV160’s market positioning.
With inputs from KETAN THAKKAR
