Honda Vario

Overview

Honda needed to provide its fans with a 150 cc automatic scooter option other than the frankly expensive PCX150. With the launch of the Honda Vario in October 2018, the company seemed to have done just that. What’s more, with its aggressive pricing of just RM 7199, it has a distinct advantage over its closest competitor, the Yamaha NVX 155. With the backing of the Honda logo, aggressive styling, modern features, and practicality of a proper automatic scooter, it should have no difficulty trouncing over the current crop of automatics. Let’s have a look at how it is going to achieve this feat.

Exterior

The Honda Vario is essentially the newest iteration of the Honda Click 150 under a different name. This model now comes with large LED position lights. These are placed above the large LED dual keen headlights and occupy almost the entire sides of the front apron giving it an alien appearance. The front profile, including the handlebar cowl, is very aggressively sculpted. The side profile has a more restrained styling. The floorboard is thick and has a sporty scoop. The tail section is rakish. The rear grab handle is integrated into the tail and gives it some neat lines. The seat is stepped, and the rear seat is kept thin to go with the styling. The pointy taillight uses LEDs as do the turning indicators mounted on stalks on the mudguard.

The exhaust also adds a lot of flair with its slim and modern design. Most remarkable though, are the different color schemes. Unlike the Click 150, the Vario gets sporty styling. There are three dual tone color schemes - Pearl Magellanic Black (Red and Black), Pearl Nightfall Blue (Blue and Metallic Grey), and Force Silver Metallic (Yellow with Metallic Silver). Then there is the out and out REPSOL edition color scheme that comes with racy sponsor logos and orange wheels. All these color schemes get bold stickering proclaiming the scooter’s name on the sides. The dual tone color schemes get black 14-inch five-spoke cast alloy wheels with wide 90/80 and 100/80 tubeless tires front and rear respectively.

The dimensions of the scooter rest at 1919 mm (L) X 679 mm (W) X 1062 mm (H) and give it a slim profile. The rakish tail section also deceptively hides an 18-under-seat storage area that can store a full-face helmet. There is some additional space behind the front apron too. The instrument panel uses a LCD screen with fully digital display with blue backlighting and white letters. With displays for everything from real time fuel consumption, clock and warning light for lubricant levels and battery level, it is also very comprehensive.

Ride & Handling

The suspension on the Honda Vario uses telescopic front forks but a single sided shock absorber mounted to the swing arm at the rear. The short wheelbase of 1280 mm, slim profile, 26-degree caster angle, and a low 107 kg dry weight gives it good maneuverability.

The ride is comfortable and copes well with road imperfections. The only gripe is the low ground clearance of just 132 mm. This could scrape on speed breakers and potholes. At 769 mm, the seat should not pose any difficulties for riders of most heights. The large front footwell area allows a comfortable seating position even for taller people. The handlebars are also set at a comfortable height giving it a relaxed riding posture.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Powered by a 150 cc SOHC liquid cooled and fuel injected engine, it produces 13 hp at 8500 rpm and 13.4 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a V-Matic automatic transmission. Throttle response is good from the get go and there is enough power across the rev range. The scooter picks up speed in a linear and controlled manner. Reaching 110 kmph is within reach. Being a Honda, the engine is refined and free of vibrations. The engine also uses Honda’s Idling stop system to prevent fuel wastage during prolonged idling. Together with the PGM-Fi it results in a commendable fuel efficiency of 52 kmpl.  

Braking & Safety

There is a wavy hydraulic disc brake on the front and a leading trailing drum brake on the rear wheel doing braking duties. Honda has also included its combi braking system for balanced brake force distribution. With the Smart Key System, it also gets remote immobilizer, keyless ignition, and an Anti-Theft Alarm system integrated into its smart key.

Verdict

At its price point, it is difficult to find faults in the Honda Vario. It is striking to look at, pleasantly equipped, efficient and well thought machine. Honda has hit it out of the ball park with this one.