2025-on Honda CUV e review: Short-distance commuter’s dream

It's a small scooter, but there’s still enough legroom for a taller rider and it handles and stops well enough, although the suspension is crashy over big bumps.

There’s no ABS (sub-125s aren’t required to have it), but the front disc and rear drum set-ups are linked.

Weighing 120kg, it’s 14kg lighter than Honda’s uber-popular SH125i petrol scooter, has a 39mm lower seat height, a 40mm shorter wheelbase, and a 60mm shorter turning circle.

The CUV e is equivalent to an 110cc petrol-powered scooter. Its swingarm-mounted motor produces 8bhp, which is good for an indicated 59mph flat out.

Power comes from two 10.2kg removable ‘Honda Power Pack e’ lithium-ion batteries, which you can charge at home or at work using the supplied docking stations.

It takes just over two and a half hours to charge from 25% to 75% (six hours from empty to full) and the technology comes from decades of development in the car world, as well as from the 13 scooter and moped-sized two-wheelers Honda already sells worldwide.

Honda is also developing the power packs for use in marine engines, rickshaws, diggers and portable power packs you can take camping.

Honda are also trialing ‘swapping stations’ in India, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia where you can exchange your battery for a fresh one.

We’re zipping around the streets of Oxford and Woodstock (not that one) at the CUV e’s world launch and rack up 25 enthusiastic, throttle-heavy miles in ‘Sport’ mode with an indicated 28% charge and a 13-mile range remaining by the end.

Riding more gently in ‘Standard’ or ‘Econ’ modes will extend the range further, but none of the modes have a regen system to recharge the battery when you’re coasting.

Not only is the CUV e affordable to buy and run (especially if you use cheap night-time electricity) it’s also easy and fun to ride.

We’ve conducted many electric versus petrol bike tests at MCN over the years and while battery power still isn't the answer for big leisure motorcycles, it makes for a better commuter.

Who needs gears, a clutch, heat, engine vibes, and noise when you’re plodding along at city speeds on your way to work, especially in 20mph zones? The CUV e is cool, calm, silent, smooth and zips away from the line smartly, although being so quiet means you need to keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists who haven’t heard you coming.

Honda has even made sure it has enough oomph to get up gradients of up to 13 degrees, two-up with 30kg of luggage, so you’ll have no problem climbing the levels in a car park. It’s quick enough to keep up with traffic in 50mph zones, too.

Build quality and attention to detail are better than you’d expect for a humble electric scooter.

The clean, Asimo-reincarnated styling comes from the same designer as the 2020 Fireblade and even has slots in the end of the side stand to reduce wind drag, diffusers in the undertray and sculptured holes in the front mudguard to aid stability.

They won’t make a jot of difference but show the CUV e hasn’t just been thrown together. Chassis parts promise to be robust and Honda’s electric tech has been tried and tested for years in the car world. Batteries are good for at least 2500 charges.

Honda’s CUV e won’t break the bank to buy, run or charge. It’s the cheapest big brand scooter and costs significantly less than BMW’s CE 02 and the Maeving RM1S

With the batteries taking up space under the seat, there’s little storage available, other than a small cubby hole up front, a rack, and a carrying hook.

But 35 and 45-litre top boxes are available as accessories, as well as a screen, hand guards, and an alarm.

Elsewhere, the CUV e is packed with a surprising level of goodies and attention to detail. Its centrepiece is a full-colour 7-inch dash, which is bigger than that of any current Honda motorcycle and features their latest-generation (free) app-based sat nav, which also lets you know how your chosen route stacks up with the available battery range.

You also get keyless ignition, a centre stand, futuristic-style LEDs, USB-C port, handbrake and even reverse to help you out of tight downhill spots.