Best bikes and scooters under ₹1 lakh

The Hero Splendor Plus is a 97cc commuter that sells over two lakh units a month on the strength of 70 kmpl mileage, rock-bottom service costs and a mechanic in every village.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

70 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,138/mo

Best for

First bike

The Sport is TVS's most basic 110cc commuter, claiming up to 80kmpl and priced from ₹65,714, aimed squarely at buyers who want the lowest possible running cost. It skips almost every convenience feature beyond alloy wheels and an LED DRL, so it works best as a no-frills first bike rather than one bought for comfort or looks.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

80 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,072/mo

Best for

Absolute lowest running cost

The HF Deluxe Flex Fuel is Hero's entry point into ethanol-blended fuel, using the same 97.2cc, 8.44 bhp engine found on the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel but priced from ₹69,812, the cheapest bike in this batch. It trades a plain features list and a single colour for a claimed 65 kmpl and a very low starting price.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,155/mo

Best for

First bike

The HF Deluxe is Hero's entry-level commuter, built around a modest 7.91bhp, 97.2cc engine and priced from ₹58,688. It claims 65kmpl and stays reliably basic, with drum brakes and only a handful of features, a bike bought purely for low running costs.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,155/mo

Best for

Absolute lowest budget

The XL 100 Heavy Duty is TVS's load-rated moped-scooter, sharing the 99.7cc CVT engine with the regular XL 100 but tuned for carrying capacity, priced from ₹47,918 with a kick-start base variant. It's the cheapest vehicle in this batch, which comes with the trade-off of a basic kick-start entry point and no disc brake anywhere in the range.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

57 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,320/mo

Best for

Load-carrying and utility use

The Destini 125 is Hero's automatic scooter for tight budgets, built around a 9bhp, 124.6cc engine priced from ₹81,700. It claims 59kmpl, among the best in its class, but even the top ZX+ trim sticks with drum brakes on both wheels instead of a disc or CBS setup.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

59 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,450/mo

Best for

First scooter buyers

The Platina 100 is Bajaj's cheapest commuter, built for first-time buyers who want the lowest possible running cost. It makes 7.79bhp from a 99.59cc engine, returns a claimed 75kmpl, and starts at just ₹71,038. The trade-off is modest performance and drum brakes at both ends, with no ABS beyond combi-braking.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

75 kmpl

Running cost

₹999/mo

Best for

First-time buyers

The S1 Z is Ola's entry-level electric scooter, priced from ₹79,999 with a 3.1 kWh battery good for a claimed 179km. It suits first-time EV buyers on a tight budget who mainly ride short city hops, but the 70kmph top speed and sparse feature list show clearly where the savings came from.

Our score

6.5/10

Range

179 km

Running cost

₹111/mo

Best for

First scooter

The XL 100 is TVS's utility moped-scooter hybrid, running a 99.7cc engine through a CVT for a claimed 55kmpl, priced from ₹60,360 with i-Touch electric start. It's built for load-carrying and low running costs rather than performance, so its 4.29bhp output and drum-only brakes are the price of that focus.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

55 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,369/mo

Best for

Load-carrying and utility use

The Honda Activa 6G is India's best-selling scooter: a 110cc, 45–50 kmpl automatic with a smooth engine, a flat floorboard and the widest service network in the country.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

47 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,607/mo

Best for

Family use

The Honda Shine 125 is the best-selling 125cc bike in India, prized for a vibration-free engine, an easy 55 kmpl and an optional front disc brake.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

55 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,369/mo

Best for

Refined daily commuting

The Jupiter 110 is TVS's mainstream family scooter, a 113.3cc air-cooled engine making about 7.9bhp with a claimed 53.84kmpl, priced from ₹77,352 for the base drum variant. It's built for comfortable daily use rather than outright performance, with a 5-year warranty that beats most rivals but drum brakes on every variant.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

53.84 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,525/mo

Best for

Daily family commuting

Hero's Destini 110 is a 110cc automatic scooter built for riders who rate running costs above everything else, priced from ₹77,527 for the VX. It claims 56.2 kmpl and adds projector LED lighting and a digital console over cheaper rivals, but both brakes stay drums with no disc option even on the ZX.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

56.2 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,557/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Pulsar N125 is a naked 125cc commuter with sporty styling, LED lighting and idle start-stop, priced from ₹93,694. It is aimed at first-time buyers who want a Pulsar's looks without the running costs, but a rear drum brake and CBS instead of full ABS are compromises at this price.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

60 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,344/mo

Best for

First bike

The TVS Raider 125 packs a punchy 11.2 bhp oil-cooled engine, a monoshock, a front disc and a colour TFT console into a commuter price, making it the sportiest bike under ₹1 lakh.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

56 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,479/mo

Best for

Young riders

The TVS Jupiter 125 offers a 33-litre under-seat boot, an optional front disc brake and a 125cc engine, making it the most practical family scooter under ₹1 lakh.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,607/mo

Best for

Family and shopping runs

The Splendor Plus Xtec updates Hero's evergreen commuter with bluetooth connectivity and a digital console, priced from ₹81,360. Its 97.2cc engine claims 73kmpl, the best in this batch, though it still relies on drum brakes across all three variants.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

73 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,155/mo

Best for

Fuel-economy first buyers

The Pleasure+ Xtec is the better-equipped version of Hero's 110cc scooter, adding alloy wheels, LED projector lighting, Bluetooth and idle start-stop over the base Pleasure+, priced from ₹78,051. It uses the same 8 bhp engine and claimed 50 kmpl, so the extra spend buys features and finish rather than outright performance.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

First scooter with more features

The Glamour X 125 is Hero's feature-heavy commuter, pairing an 11.4bhp, 124.7cc engine with bluetooth, ride modes and turn-by-turn navigation from ₹89,562. It claims 65kmpl, but even the disc-badged variant is listed with drum brakes at both ends, an odd mismatch for a bike this equipped.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,253/mo

Best for

Tech-focused commuters

The S1 X is Ola's mid-range scooter, priced from ₹89,999 for the 2 kWh version up to ₹1.5 lakh for the range-topping Plus. Its 108km claimed range closely matches the 98-108km owners typically report, useful for daily commuters, though drum brakes on both wheels limit stopping power against disc-equipped rivals.

Our score

6.5/10

Range

108 km

Running cost

₹125/mo

Best for

Daily office commute

The Pleasure+ is Hero's budget 110cc scooter aimed largely at first-time and value-focused riders, priced from ₹70,372 for the LX. It keeps things basic, with no alloy wheels or LED headlamp, but a claimed 50 kmpl and a wide choice of seven colours make it an easy, low-commitment first scooter.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Ntorq 125 is TVS's sporty scooter, a 124.8cc engine making about 9.25bhp with a claimed 48.5kmpl, priced from ₹90,558 with a front disc brake standard across the range. It targets younger buyers who want performance and connected features in a scooter, though the rear drum brake and real-world mileage nearer 40-45kmpl are the compromises.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

48.5 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,740/mo

Best for

Young, performance-minded riders

The Super Splendor Xtec is Hero's well-rounded 125cc commuter, with 10.72 bhp, a 5-speed gearbox and a claimed 69 kmpl from ₹83,928. It adds Bluetooth, LED lighting and a longer 6,000 km service interval over cheaper Hero commuters, making it one of the more complete all-rounders in this batch.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

69 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,232/mo

Best for

Daily commuting

The Xoom 125 is Hero's performance-leaning automatic scooter, using the same 124.6cc engine as the Destini but tuned for 9.8bhp and a 95kmph top speed, priced from ₹86,086. It adds bluetooth and idle start-stop, though it still uses drum brakes on both wheels.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

52.8 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,625/mo

Best for

Riders wanting scooter performance

The CT 110 is Bajaj's rugged commuter, positioned just above the Platina twins for buyers who want a tougher-feeling bike for bad roads. It makes 8.48bhp from a 115.45cc engine, returns a claimed 70kmpl, and starts at ₹74,847. The trade-off is a heavier 127kg build and drum brakes despite the higher price than its Platina siblings.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

70 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,072/mo

Best for

Rural and rough roads

Sold as the Passion Plus, this is Hero's mid-tier 97.2cc commuter, priced from ₹79,534 with a claimed 71kmpl. It adds a projector headlamp, digital console and idle start-stop over the base HF Deluxe, though drum brakes remain standard on all but the priciest variant.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

71 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,253/mo

Best for

Value-focused commuting

The Dio is Honda's 110cc automatic scooter aimed at first-time riders and short city commutes, priced from ₹74,820 with claimed mileage of 48 kmpl. It keeps costs down with drum brakes on both wheels and skips the LED lighting and digital console its Dio 125 sibling gets, so buyers wanting more kit should budget higher.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

48 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,557/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Star City Plus is TVS's mid-tier 110cc commuter, offering a digital console and 70kmpl claimed mileage from ₹72,026, with a disc-brake variant available for ₹75,564. It suits buyers who want a commuter that looks a step above entry-level without paying 125cc money, though the drum-only base variant undercuts the case for the range.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

70 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,072/mo

Best for

Buyers who want a digital console

The Platina 110 is a step up from the Platina 100, built for buyers who want a touch more engine and a smoother ride for a modest premium. It makes 8.48bhp from a 115.45cc engine, returns a claimed 70kmpl, and starts at ₹75,798. The trade-off is a price close to the CT 110 without a clearly distinct advantage.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

70 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,072/mo

Best for

Modest step-up buyers

The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel shares its 97.2cc, 8.44 bhp ethanol-compatible engine with the cheaper HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, but carries the Splendor badge and a higher ₹81,196 starting price. It offers a claimed 62 kmpl and a similarly thin features list, making the price gap over its sibling the main thing to weigh.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

62 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,212/mo

Best for

Brand-conscious commuting

The Fascino 125 is Yamaha's entry-level scooter, using a 125cc, 8.04bhp engine with drum brakes and starting at ₹81,264. It's built for first-time or budget-conscious buyers who want basic, dependable commuting, though it skips LED lighting, Bluetooth and any digital console found on pricier rivals.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

49 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,541/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Glamour is Hero's mainstream 125cc commuter, offering 10.39 bhp, a 5-speed gearbox and a claimed 65 kmpl from ₹85,002 for the drum-brake variant. It brings LED lighting and idle start-stop as standard, and typically returns 51-57 kmpl in real use, though it costs more than several similarly quick 125cc rivals.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,369/mo

Best for

Daily commuting

The Access 125 is Suzuki's everyday commuter scooter, aimed at riders who want low running costs over sportiness. It is powered by a 124cc air-cooled engine making 8.3bhp, starts at ₹84,729, and returns a real-world 44-49kmpl, but even the ₹1,04,813 top trim makes do with drum brakes front and rear instead of a disc.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

47 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Radeon is TVS's mid-range 110cc commuter, offering a 63kmpl claimed mileage and an idle start-stop system, priced from ₹73,715. It targets buyers who want a step up from the most basic commuters in features and finish, though it sticks with drum brakes throughout and lacks a disc option even on the top variant.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

63 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,183/mo

Best for

Daily office commute

The Pulsar 125 is Bajaj's entry-level naked in the Pulsar family, built for buyers who want Pulsar styling without a 150cc or 180cc price tag. It makes 11.8bhp from a 124.4cc engine, with prices starting at ₹93,507. The brief does not confirm mileage or kerb weight for this bike, so expect commuter-friendly efficiency rather than a firm number.

Our score

5.5/10

Best for

Style-focused first bike

The Zest 110 is TVS's compact 110cc scooter, running a 109.7cc engine for a claimed 45kmpl, priced from ₹70,560. It's aimed at buyers who want a simple, easy-to-ride scooter for city use, though the 10-inch wheels, drum brakes and modest mileage put it behind newer rivals like the Jupiter 110 and Honda Dio.

Our score

5.5/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

City-only commuting

The Xtreme 125R packs a 124.7cc, 11.4bhp engine with a front disc, monoshock and bluetooth connectivity, priced from ₹92,841 and rising to ₹1.10 lakh for dual-channel ABS. It claims 66kmpl, but at 136kg it is heavier than most 125cc rivals it competes against.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

66 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,320/mo

Best for

Riders wanting 125cc performance

The Super Splendor Xtec 2.0 updates the same 124.7cc engine with a claimed 75 kmpl, a standard front disc brake and an engine kill switch, priced from ₹85,925. It is genuinely more efficient than the outgoing Super Splendor Xtec, but the roughly ₹2,000 premium buys marginal gains rather than a clear leap forward.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

75 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,253/mo

Best for

Efficiency-focused commuting

The Ray ZR 125 uses a 125cc, 8.04bhp air-cooled engine with drum brakes on both ends, starting at ₹81,820 for the base variant and rising to just over ₹1 lakh for the TFT-equipped Street Rally. It's built for riders who want scooter styling with attitude, though it trails rivals like the Destini 125 on efficiency.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

49 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,541/mo

Best for

First scooter

The Livo is Honda's basic commuter motorcycle, priced from ₹81,031 with a 110cc engine and claimed mileage of 60 kmpl, translating to 56-62 kmpl in real use. It sticks with drum brakes and a 4-speed gearbox, prioritising fuel economy and low running costs over features or outright performance.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

60 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,253/mo

Best for

Budget-conscious daily commuters

The Xoom is Hero's mainstream 110cc scooter with a sportier look, offering 8.05 bhp and projector LED lighting from ₹78,303 for the drum-brake VX. Its claimed 45 kmpl trails most rivals at this price, so it leans on styling, features and a disc-brake ZX option rather than outright running costs.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

Style-conscious commuting

The Destini Prime is Hero's slightly larger-engined scooter, using a 124.6cc motor with 9 bhp and a claimed 49.5 kmpl, priced from ₹77,613 in a single variant. It has more punch than the Destini 110 but a thinner features list, so it works better as a value pick than a tech-led one.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

49.5 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,525/mo

Best for

Daily commuting

The Shine 100 is Honda's entry-level 100cc commuter, priced from ₹65,996 with a claimed 65kmpl and real-world figures of 60-68kmpl. It sticks to drum brakes front and rear with a basic feature set, and rivals like the TVS Sport claim noticeably higher mileage at a similar price, leaving Honda's service network as its main selling point.

Our score

5.5/10

Mileage

65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,155/mo

Best for

First-time budget commuters

The SP 125 is Honda's mainstream 125cc commuter, built for riders who want more mid-range punch than a 100cc bike without stepping up to a premium 125. Its 10.72bhp engine and claimed 63kmpl come at a price that sits above cheaper rivals like the Glamour, and it still relies on drum brakes even on the disc variant.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

63 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,183/mo

Best for

Daily commuting

The Avenis 125 is Suzuki's sportier take on the 125cc scooter, built for riders who want a front disc and alloy wheels without stepping up to a bigger engine. It costs from ₹93,011, uses a 124.3cc engine making 8.58bhp, returns a real-world 47-50kmpl, and gives up outright value against the cheaper, more powerful Xoom 125.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

49.6 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,525/mo

Best for

Style-conscious commuting

The Activa 125 is Honda's premium 125cc scooter, priced from ₹92,806 with a claimed 47kmpl and a colour TFT console rare in this segment. It costs more than the Suzuki Access 125 and Honda's own Dio 125 for similar efficiency, meaning its main appeal is Honda's brand trust and service reach rather than outright value.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

47 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

Daily city commuting

The QC1 is Honda's entry-level electric scooter, priced from ₹90,708 with a small 1.5 kWh battery giving roughly 80-83 km of real-world range and a 50 kmph top speed. It is built for short, slow city trips rather than daily long commutes, and its range trails nearly every rival at a similar price.

Our score

4.5/10

Range

80 km

Running cost

₹118/mo

Best for

Very short local errands

The Dio 125 is Honda's sportier automatic scooter, priced from ₹94,256 with a front disc brake, LED lighting and a colour TFT console that the standard Dio skips. It claims 47 kmpl and manages around 44-49 kmpl in real use, but at nearly ₹95,000 it costs more than the Ntorq 125 and Activa 125 it competes against.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

47 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

Style-conscious commuters

The Pulsar NS125 is a naked commuter with sportier styling than most 125s, offering a front disc and CBS but no full ABS, from ₹94,043. Claimed mileage of 46.9kmpl is behind most 125cc rivals, making this a style-first choice rather than the most economical option in its class.

Our score

5.5/10

Mileage

46.9 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,573/mo

Best for

Style-conscious commuting