New Activa 7G: The morning fog hadn’t yet lifted from the outskirts of Manesar when I arrived at Honda’s heavily guarded R&D facility last week.
After surrendering my phone and signing multiple non-disclosure agreements, I was ushered into a dimly lit room where, under dramatic lighting, sat what millions of Indian families have been waiting for – the next evolution of India’s favorite scooter.
The Honda Activa 7G, scheduled to launch next quarter, represents the most significant redesign in the model’s 23-year history, and I’m one of the first journalists to get a preview of what Honda calls its “most ambitious update yet.”
New Activa 7G Breaking New Ground: Design Philosophy
The Activa has historically played it safe with design – evolutionary rather than revolutionary updates have been the norm. That changes with the 7G.
The first thing that strikes you is the substantially more aggressive stance. The front apron has been completely redesigned with sharper lines, angular surfaces, and distinctive LED position lamps that create a unique light signature.
“We wanted to break away from the perception that family scooters must look conservative,” explained Yogesh Mathur, Head of Design at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI).
“The 7G needed to appeal to the younger generation while retaining the core Activa values of reliability and practicality that their parents trust.”
This dual-generation approach is evident throughout the design. The front maintains a recognizable Activa silhouette but with contemporary details like the H-shaped LED headlamp and a more sculpted apron.
The side panels feature more pronounced character lines with a floating effect near the rear section, while the tail gets an X-shaped LED light arrangement that looks properly futuristic, especially at night.
Available in seven colors, including three new premium metallic finishes (Sonic Copper, Stellar Blue, and my personal favorite, Graviton Grey), the 7G exudes a premium aura that belies its commuter scooter classification. The top-spec variant gets two-tone color treatments with blacked-out panels that further enhance its visual appeal.
What Honda calls “dhakad” (powerful or impressive) design elements include the machined aluminum footpegs, textured seat material with contrast stitching, and carbon-fiber-patterned trim pieces around the instrument console. These might seem like minor details, but they contribute significantly to the 7G’s more upmarket positioning.
Powertrain Evolution: More Than Just Looks
Under the redesigned body panels lies a thoroughly updated powertrain. The Activa 7G continues with Honda’s proven 110cc engine architecture but introduces several significant enhancements.
The air-cooled, single-cylinder engine now produces 8.2 PS at a slightly higher 7,500 rpm and 9 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm – modest increases of 0.3 PS and 0.5 Nm over the 6G.
More important than these incremental power gains are the refinement improvements. The engine features a redesigned combustion chamber, reduced friction components, and an optimized intake path that collectively enhance both performance and efficiency.
“While absolute performance numbers aren’t dramatically different, the character of power delivery has been transformed,” noted Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director of HMSI, during the technical presentation.
“Our engineers focused on improving throttle response in the 20-50 km/h range, where most Activa owners spend the majority of their riding time.”
This focus on real-world performance is immediately noticeable during my brief test ride around Honda’s facility. The scooter pulls away from stops with noticeably more urgency, and mid-range acceleration – crucial for urban traffic navigation – feels significantly more responsive than the current 6G model. Honda claims a 0-60 km/h time of 9 seconds, making it nearly a second quicker than its predecessor.
Fuel efficiency, the holy grail for scooter buyers, has also improved. Honda claims a 10% improvement in mileage, with internal testing showing figures of 60-65 km/l under standard conditions. Real-world efficiency is likely to be around 55-58 km/l – still impressive for a 110cc scooter and potentially class-leading when officially tested.
The transmission has been refined with a new generation of Honda’s V-Matic CVT system featuring reduced internal friction and improved durability. The company claims a 25% reduction in the maintenance requirements for the transmission components over the lifecycle of the vehicle.
Tech Revolution: Features That Surprise and Delight
Perhaps the most dramatic leap forward comes in the technology department. The Activa has traditionally lagged behind some competitors in terms of feature content, but the 7G reverses this trend with an impressive technology package that’s unexpected in this segment.
The centerpiece is a 5.3-inch full-digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity – a first for any Activa model. This display pairs with Honda’s RideCo app to provide call and message alerts, navigation assistance, and riding telemetry including trip statistics and maintenance reminders.
“Digitally native consumers expect their vehicles to integrate seamlessly with their smartphones,” explained Tapan Sharma, Head of Product Planning at HMSI. “The connected features we’ve introduced with the 7G are designed to enhance safety and convenience without creating distractions.”
Safety features have received significant attention, with combi-braking system (CBS) now standard across all variants. Higher trims add a front disc brake option for the first time in the Activa’s history – addressing a longstanding request from enthusiasts and safety-conscious buyers alike.
Other notable features include:
Smart key system with remote functions (top variant)
Under-seat USB-C charging port
LED illumination throughout
2-liter front storage compartment with optional mobile phone holder
Increased under-seat storage capacity (now 22 liters, up from 18 liters)
Emergency stop signal that flashes hazard lights during hard braking
Side-stand engine inhibitor with visual alert
Some of these features might seem mundane on premium two-wheelers, but their introduction on India’s highest-selling scooter represents a significant democratization of technology.
Riding Dynamics: Comfort Meets Control
The Activa’s primary mission has always been comfortable urban transportation, but the 7G introduces handling improvements without compromising this core attribute. The chassis remains a conventional underbone design but has been lightened and strengthened in key areas.
The front continues to use a telescopic fork suspension – introduced in the 6G after years of Honda stubbornly sticking with the trailing link design.
The rear gets a redesigned swingarm with 3-step adjustable shock absorbers on higher variants, allowing riders to tailor the setup based on load or preference.
During my limited test ride, the suspension demonstrated excellent small-bump absorption while maintaining composure over larger imperfections. The 12-inch front wheel (on higher variants) provides more stability compared to the 10-inch wheel on base models and most competitors.
“We benchmarked the Activa 7G’s ride quality not against other scooters, but against entry-level motorcycles,” claimed Rishabh Kumar, HMSI’s Testing Lead. “The goal was to provide motorcycle-like stability with the convenience and ease of use that define the Activa experience.”
The seating position remains upright and accommodating for riders of various heights, with the seat height maintained at an accessible 775mm. The floorboard has been redesigned with a slightly angled front section that provides more natural foot positioning during longer rides.
Braking performance, especially on the disc brake variant, represents a substantial upgrade over previous Activas. The disc provides good feel through the lever, while the rear drum delivers predictable stopping power.
The CBS system balances braking force effectively, though I’d still prefer the option of ABS on the front disc – perhaps something for the inevitable 7G DLX model that will likely follow.
Market Positioning and Variants
Honda plans to offer the Activa 7G in three primary variants:
Standard: Basic feature set with drum brakes and 10-inch wheels
Deluxe: Added features including alloy wheels and USB charging
Deluxe Pro: Full feature set including disc brake, 12-inch front wheel, digital console, and smart key
Expected pricing ranges from approximately ₹78,000 for the Standard variant to ₹95,000 for the Deluxe Pro (ex-showroom). This positions the 7G at a premium over both the current Activa 6G and competition like the TVS Jupiter and Suzuki Access, but Honda believes the substantial feature upgrades and design improvements justify the higher price point.
“The Activa has earned the trust of over 25 million Indian families,” noted Ogata. “The 7G builds on this foundation while addressing evolving consumer expectations. We’re confident the market will respond positively to this significant upgrade.”
The target audience has been broadened to include younger buyers who might otherwise consider 125cc scooters or entry-level motorcycles. Honda expects the top-spec variant to account for approximately 30% of sales – an ambitious target given the price premium, but potentially achievable given the exclusive features it offers.
Production and Launch Timeline
Sources within Honda’s dealer network indicate that production tooling for the Activa 7G is already being installed at the company’s Vithalpur facility in Gujarat. Initial production capacity is slated for 150,000 units monthly, with the ability to scale up based on demand.
The official launch is expected in late July or early August, with deliveries commencing before the festive season – traditionally the strongest sales period for two-wheelers in India. Booking amounts are likely to be set at ₹5,000, with priority delivery for existing Honda customers.
New Activa 7G Conclusion: Raising the Bar for India’s Favorite Scooter
After spending time with the pre-production Activa, it’s clear that Honda isn’t taking its market leadership for granted. The 7G represents the most comprehensive update in the model’s history, addressing longstanding requests from owners while introducing features that even critics wouldn’t have expected.
The bold design direction might polarize opinions, particularly among traditional Activa buyers who appreciate its conventional styling. However, the improved performance, enhanced feature set, and refined riding experience should win over most skeptics once they experience the scooter firsthand.
Will the Activa 7G maintain Honda’s dominance in the scooter segment? The premium positioning creates some vulnerability at the lower end of the market, where increasingly capable competitors offer compelling value propositions.
However, Honda’s unmatched brand equity in the scooter segment, combined with the genuinely impressive improvements in the 7G, should ensure its continued success.
For millions of Indian families, the Activa isn’t just a scooter – it’s a trusted household member that enables daily mobility. The 7G honors this legacy while pushing the envelope in design, features, and performance.
When it hits showrooms later this year, expect the waiting lists to be long and the impact on the market to be significant. India’s favorite scooter is about to raise the bar yet again.