Honda CUV e:

The Honda CUV e features a smart, hypermodern design that looks premium and approachable at the same time. Upfront, it has a futuristic-looking front end illuminated by an LED headlight assembly, which kind of resembles a hawk’s eyes. It comes with a two-toned front bumper for more detail. 

Its side profile displays a clean blend of body-coloured elements and blacked-out design cues. This electric scooter runs on a pair of 12-inch cast wheels with tubeless tires. Meanwhile, its futuristic character carries over to its rear. It flaunts a unique-looking LED taillight assembly, which can definitely catch the attention of the people behind you while on the road. For better visibility at night, this scooter also comes with LED signal lights.

Upfront, the rider gets a 5-inch TFT display LCD panel, a side pocket with a USB Type-C socket, and a saddle that offers decent cushioning and ergonomics. One of this scooter’s downsides, however, is that its saddle on the pillion side is a bit thin and narrow. Consequently, this might compromise the comfort level of taller and larger passengers when filtering through traffic at low speeds. 

But, on the plus side, this scooter comes with a built-in rear carrier that can also function as the passenger’s grab handle. Aside from these, the two Honda Power Pack batteries are located underneath its seat. In terms of dimensions, the Honda CUV e measures 1,970 mm in length, 664 mm in width, 1,101 mm in overall height, and 761 mm in seat height. This electric scooter comes with a 1,310-mm wheelbase and a 143-mm ground clearance.

The Honda CUV e comes with telescopic forks at the front, while a monoshock at the rear. This electric scooter is light and very nimble to maneuver through tight traffic and narrow parking slots. It also handles turns quite well for its size. And, on top of this, it has decent absorption of light bumps and other road imperfections. Overall, it offers a riding experience that is just right for the city.

The Honda CUV e is powered by the brand’s E-Drive Side Motor that generates a maximum power output of 6 kW and a maximum torque of 22 Nm. Its motor is powered by two Lithium Ion batteries (capacity: 26.1 Ah x 2). With this in mind, its electric powertrain offers a 77.3-km WMTC range. Additionally, it is equipped with three riding modes: Standard, Econ, and Sports.

On paper, its performance metrics might not induce excitement among spirited riders, but it is still actually quite peppy and very smooth. It has enough power and torque to get you from point A to point B on time and efficiently. Yes, it would not be advisable to attempt to overtake slower vehicles using this scooter. However, it is designed to be ridden sensibly inside the traffic-heavy city.

In terms of safety, the CUV e is equipped with Honda’s Smart Key System, Easy Reverse Assist, and Combi Brake System (CBS). This electric scooter utilizes a hydraulic disc for front braking, while a mechanical leading trailing drum for the rear.

In my opinion, the Honda CUV e is currently among the locally-available electric scooters that offer the most value for money. You already get plenty of modern and advanced features for its price. It is light and easy to maneuver, efficient, and very usable on a daily basis. Hence, it would be a great first EV bike option for young professionals and budget-conscious riders alike.