Honda has steadily been updating its products to meet the new BS6 Phase II emissions deadlines that come into effect in just a few days on April 1, 2023. The latest model to be updated is the Activa 125, which now gets a new H-Smart variant like the smaller (but hugely popular) Activa 6G.

Prices for the Honda Activa 125 start at Rs 78,920 for the base Drum variant and go up to Rs 88,903 for the H-Smart variant. 

2023 Honda Activa 125: what’s changed?
The Activa 125 now gets a new range-topping H-Smart variant (as we had reported earlier), which brings in a key fob and gives you access to a whole host of features. The digital inset on the dash has also been updated to now show an Eco indicator (when you’re riding in a fuel-efficient way, this lights up) and a distance to empty indicator. Honda has also endowed the updated Activa 125 with a handy front cubby to store your knick-knacks. 

The Activa 125 is powered by an air-cooled, 124cc, single-cylinder engine and while Honda hasn’t released official output figures for this updated mill, it shouldn’t be too different from the earlier figures that stood at 8.3hp and 10.3Nm, for the BS6 model.  

The three variants that were on sale earlier – Drum (Rs 78,920), Drum Alloy (Rs 82,588) and Disc (Rs 86,903) –  have now become marginally more expensive by Rs 1,177. The range-topping H-Smart variant costs Rs 2,000 more than the Disc variant, at Rs 88,903. 

In terms of features, the Honda Activa 125 gets a silent start system, LED headlight and DRLs and the engine gets a new auto-choke function (similar to what we’ve seen on the new Honda Shine 100). 

2023 Honda Activa 125 price and rivals
The Honda Activa 125 goes up against some stiff competition in the 125cc scooter space from homegrown as well as Japanese rivals. The Suzuki Access 125, TVS Jupiter 125, Yamaha Fascino 125 and the Hero Destini 125 all pose a challenge to the Activa 125 here. The Activa 125 is on the more affordable end of the spectrum here and with its new H-Smart variant, it should be able to fend its rivals off.