Honda PCX 160 vs Aprilia SXR 160: Image Comparison

The ultimate face-off between Japanese and Italian maxi-scooters

While we await the launch of Aprilia’s highly anticipated maxi-scooter, the SXR 160, Honda has launched the 2021 PCX 160 in Japan. Though the Japanese maxi-scooter is unlikely to make it to our shores, we couldn’t help ourselves from finding out if the PCX could give the SXR a run for its money, by comparing the two in a series of images:

Though both the scooters take inspiration from their bigger siblings, Honda PCX 160 stays true to the genre with a central spine running through the floorboard, unlike the maxi-styled SXR 160. 

Honda seems to have gone a bit overboard with the headlight unit of the PCX 160. The LED headlights and the indicators take up almost the entire front apron of the scooter. The SXR takes up the typical three-unit headlight design we have seen on most models from the Italian brand with LED headlights and DRLs a la RS 660.

Both scooters sport a big, informative instrument console. While we are yet to see what the SXR console has to offer, Aprilia is likely to come with optional smartphone connectivity. The Honda’s console, meanwhile, shows information like average fuel consumption and oil change alert.

In typical maxi-scooter fashion, both the models get long, comfortable seats with impressive underseat storage. Though Aprilia is yet to announce the details of the SXR, it’s likely to be less than the massive 30-litre underseat capacity on the Honda.

The Honda uses a 156cc, 4-valve liquid-cooled motor producing 16.31PS and 15Nm. Like the other new Honda models, the scooter features traction control and the ACG silent starter. The SXR 160 will use the same engine seen on the SR 160, and though the performance figures aren’t out yet, we expect it to remain the same as the SR 160, at 11PS and 11.6Nm.  

While the Honda runs on a 14/13-inch wheel setup with disc brakes at both ends, the SXR 160 uses 12/10-inch wheels with a disc at the front and a drum brake at the rear. Surprisingly, even the Honda gets a single-channel ABS unit like the Aprilia.

Unlike the overdone front section of the Honda, the rear end has been kept simple with a sleek LED tail light flanked by indicators on either side. The Aprilia, on the other hand, features a split tail light with integrated indicators.