Honda Vario 160 vs Yamaha Aerox 155 : Which Scooter Is Faster?
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| Honda Vario 160 vs Yamaha Aerox 155 |
AutoReviewUS - For riders comparing sporty automatic scooters, the Honda Vario 160 vs Yamaha Aerox 155 is one of the most interesting matchups in Southeast Asia. Both use liquid-cooled engines, automatic CVT transmissions, fuel injection and roughly 155–157 cc of displacement.
But the question that matters to performance-minded riders is simple:
Which one is actually faster?
Based on manufacturer specifications, independent road tests, acceleration data and a closer automotive analysis, the answer is more nuanced than simply comparing engine displacement.
The Honda Vario 160 has the stronger overall performance advantage, particularly from the mid-range toward higher speeds. However, the Yamaha Aerox 155 can feel quicker off the line and remains extremely competitive through approximately 100 km/h.
Honda Vario 160 vs Yamaha Aerox 155: Specification Comparison
| Specification | Honda Vario 160 | Yamaha Aerox 155 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 156.9 cc, single-cylinder | 155 cc, single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Valves | 4-valve | 4-valve with VVA |
| Maximum power | 11.3 kW / 15.4 PS @ 8,500 rpm | 11.3 kW @ 8,000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 13.8 Nm @ 7,000 rpm | 13.9 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | V-Matic automatic | V-belt automatic |
| Fuel injection | PGM-FI | Fuel Injection |
| Wheelbase | 1,277 mm | 1,350 mm |
| Seat height | 778 mm | 790 mm |
| Fuel tank | 5.5 L | 5.5 L |
| Weight | approx. 115–117 kg | 122–125 kg, depending on version |
Honda's published specifications give the Vario 160 a 156.9-cc engine producing 11.3 kW (15.4 PS) and 13.8 Nm.
Yamaha's current All New Aerox 155 Connected specification lists a 155-cc engine producing 11.3 kW and 13.9 Nm.
On paper, therefore, the two scooters are remarkably close.
The important difference is how that power is delivered.
1. Engine Performance: Vario 160 Has a Slight Advantage
The Honda uses a 156.9-cc eSP+ engine with a 60.0 x 55.5 mm bore and stroke. That is an oversquare configuration designed to support strong high-rpm power.
The Yamaha uses a 155-cc engine with a 58.0 x 58.7 mm bore and stroke, combined with Yamaha's VVA technology.
The Yamaha produces slightly more peak torque:
Aerox 155: 13.9 Nm
versus
Vario 160: 13.8 Nm
But Honda produces its peak power at 8,500 rpm, while Yamaha's maximum power is specified at 8,000 rpm.
That means displacement alone does not tell the whole story.
Automotive analysis
For acceleration, CVT calibration, vehicle weight, final-drive characteristics, tire size, aerodynamics and power delivery can be just as important as peak horsepower.
This is why two scooters with almost identical power figures can produce noticeably different results on the road.
2. Weight Gives the Vario 160 an Important Advantage
One of the biggest performance differences is weight.
The Vario 160 is approximately 115–117 kg, depending on configuration, while the current Aerox 155 is approximately 122–125 kg depending on version.
That can make a significant difference.
If we use peak power as a simple indicator, the lighter Vario has a better power-to-weight ratio.
Using approximately 15.4 PS:
Vario 160
15.4 PS / 117 kg ≈ 0.132 PS/kg
For a 125-kg Aerox:
15.4 PS / 125 kg ≈ 0.123 PS/kg
That is roughly a 7% advantage in power-to-weight ratio for the lighter Vario when comparing those representative weights.
This does not mean the Vario will always be 7% faster. Real-world acceleration depends on CVT behavior, rider weight, traction, gearing and aerodynamics.
But it helps explain why the Honda can outperform expectations despite having nearly identical peak power.
3. What Independent Testing Says
This is where the comparison becomes particularly interesting.
An independent test published by GridOto/Otomotifnet directly compared the Vario 160 with the Aerox 155.
During the first acceleration run, the Aerox initially pulled ahead to approximately 40 km/h.
After that, the Vario 160 began closing the gap and eventually moved ahead.
In another run, the Aerox remained close to the Vario until around 100 km/h, after which the Vario pulled away again.
This result is important because it demonstrates the difference between initial acceleration character and overall acceleration performance.
Aerox 155
The Yamaha feels aggressive at lower speeds.
Vario 160
The Honda becomes increasingly competitive as speed rises.
That is consistent with the mechanical characteristics of the two engines.
4. Top Speed: Which One Wins?
This is where the Vario 160 has the clearest advantage in the available independent testing.
A test of the Vario 160 recorded:
128 km/h indicated speed
117.7 km/h RaceLogic/GPS-based speed
The same publication previously tested the Aerox 155 at:
122 km/h indicated speed
118.2 km/h RaceLogic speed
This reveals something extremely important for American readers:
Speedometer numbers should not be compared directly with GPS numbers.
A motorcycle speedometer can display a higher number than actual road speed.
Therefore:
Vario 160 indicated top speed: ~128 km/h
does not mean it is actually traveling at 128 km/h.
Its GPS/RaceLogic result was approximately:
117.7 km/h
Meanwhile, the Aerox test produced approximately:
118.2 km/h GPS
So the real-world maximum-speed difference can be extremely small.
This is why claims such as "Vario 160 is 10 km/h faster" should be treated carefully.
5. Aerox 155 Is Surprisingly Strong in Acceleration
An independent test of the Yamaha Aerox 155 recorded:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 0–60 km/h | 5.4 sec |
| 0–80 km/h | 9.4 sec |
| 0–100 km/h | 16.7 sec |
| 0–402 m | 19.6 sec |
| 402-m terminal speed | 105.5 km/h |
| GPS/RaceLogic top speed | 118.2 km/h |
These are respectable numbers for a 155-cc automatic scooter.
The Aerox's relatively aggressive character is partly why many riders perceive it as a faster scooter.
Its VVA system is designed to maintain useful power across different engine speeds, while the CVT allows the engine to stay within an effective rpm range. Yamaha specifically describes Blue Core and VVA as technologies intended to maintain efficiency, power and torque across the rev range.
6. Why Does the Vario 160 Feel Faster After 60 km/h?
The answer is a combination of:
Engine displacement
Power delivery
Vehicle weight
CVT calibration
Aerodynamics
Rider position
Tire and chassis characteristics
The Vario's 156.9-cc engine is slightly larger than the Aerox's 155 cc engine.
More importantly, the Vario is significantly lighter.
That creates a favorable combination:
similar peak power + lower vehicle mass = stronger power-to-weight ratio.
An independent Vario 160 road review also found that acceleration to approximately 90 km/h felt effortless, with the engine becoming more heavily loaded as it approached 100 km/h. That test recorded approximately 118 km/h under the available road conditions.
Another road test recorded approximately 122 km/h on the speedometer.
7. Aerodynamics Matter More Than Many Riders Realize
At 100 km/h and above, engine power isn't the only major factor.
Aerodynamic drag increases rapidly with speed.
A simplified relationship is:
Aerodynamic drag ∝ velocity²
while the power required to overcome aerodynamic drag increases approximately with:
velocity³
That means adding another 10–20 km/h at high speed requires disproportionately more power.
This is one reason a scooter can accelerate strongly from 0–80 km/h but require much more time to move from 100–120 km/h.
The rider's body position, frontal area, windshield/fairing design, tire width and vehicle geometry can all affect the final result.
The Aerox's larger 110/80 front and 140/70 rear tires also contribute to its planted sporty character, while the Vario uses 100/80 front and 120/70 rear tires.
8. Which One Is Faster From a Stoplight?
Winner: Yamaha Aerox 155 — slight advantage in feel
The Aerox has an aggressive launch character.
Independent comparison testing showed the Aerox initially getting ahead of the Vario 160 at low speed before the Honda began to recover.
For a short urban sprint:
Aerox 155 can feel faster.
This is particularly relevant for riders who spend most of their time between approximately 0 and 60 km/h.
9. Which One Is Faster From 60–100 km/h?
Winner: Honda Vario 160
This is where the Honda's combination of lower weight and engine characteristics becomes more apparent.
In direct testing, the Vario eventually overtook the Aerox after the Yamaha's stronger initial launch.
For highway merging or overtaking from approximately 60–100 km/h, the Vario 160 therefore has a compelling performance advantage.
10. Which Has the Higher Real-World Top Speed?
Very close — with no huge winner
This is the most interesting part of the comparison.
The available independent tests show approximately:
Vario 160: 117.7 km/h GPS/RaceLogic
Aerox 155: 118.2 km/h GPS/RaceLogic
That is only approximately 0.5 km/h apart.
In other words:
The Aerox 155 can match or slightly exceed the Vario 160 in measured GPS top speed in some tests.
However, testing conditions matter enormously.
Different riders, tire pressures, fuel loads, temperatures, wind, road gradients, CVT condition and engine break-in can change the result.
Therefore, it would be misleading to declare one scooter universally faster based on a single top-speed run.
11. American Rider Perspective: What Would You Notice?
For readers in the United States who are more familiar with larger motorcycles and scooters, these two models occupy a very different category.
Neither should be treated as a highway motorcycle.
They are primarily urban/performance scooters.
The useful comparison is therefore not simply:
"Which has the highest number on the speedometer?"
Instead, ask:
Which scooter is better for city acceleration?
Aerox 155
Which scooter has the stronger mid-range performance?
Vario 160
Which feels more aggressive?
Aerox 155
Which has the better power-to-weight ratio?
Vario 160
Which is likely to be easier to maneuver in dense urban traffic?
Vario 160
Which has the sportier chassis/visual character?
Aerox 155
Which has the stronger overall performance package?
Vario 160
12. Vario 160 vs Aerox 155: Performance Score
My automotive assessment:
| Category | Vario 160 | Aerox 155 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch acceleration | 8.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Mid-range acceleration | 9.5/10 | 9/10 |
| High-speed acceleration | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Top speed | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Power-to-weight | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Sporty character | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Urban practicality | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Overall performance | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
These are analytical scores rather than manufacturer ratings.
Final Verdict: Honda Vario 160 vs Yamaha Aerox 155 — Who Is Faster?
If the question is:
"Who wins the race?"
The answer is:
Honda Vario 160 has the overall performance edge, but the Yamaha Aerox 155 is much closer than its smaller displacement might suggest.
The Vario 160 benefits from its slightly larger engine and significantly lower weight. Independent drag testing showed the Aerox could launch harder initially, but the Vario subsequently closed the gap and moved ahead.
However, when looking specifically at GPS-verified top speed, the difference is essentially negligible in the available tests:
Vario 160: ~117.7 km/h
Aerox 155: ~118.2 km/h
So the most accurate conclusion is:
Aerox 155 is the more aggressive-feeling scooter, while Vario 160 is the stronger all-around performer.
If your priority is quick launches and sporty riding, choose the Aerox 155.
If your priority is acceleration from the mid-range, lower weight and everyday performance, the Vario 160 gets the nod.
And if your only criterion is absolute top speed, the two are effectively tied under comparable real-world testing conditions.
Sources & References
Yamaha Motor Indonesia — All New Aerox 155 Connected specifications
Yamaha Motor Indonesia — Aerox 155 specifications and launch information
Honda/Astra Motor specifications for Vario 160.
Independent Aerox 155 performance testing by Otomotifnet.
Direct Vario 160 vs Aerox 155 acceleration/top-speed comparison by GridOto/Otomotifnet.
Independent Honda Vario 160 road test by Otojatim.
Independent Honda Vario 160 review by Zigwheels Indonesia.
Editorial note: Top-speed figures should not be interpreted as safe recommended riding speeds. Test results vary according to rider weight, wind, road surface, temperature, tire pressure, fuel load, CVT condition and measurement equipment.
About the Author
David Mulyana is the founder and editor of AutoReviewUS, an independent automotive publication dedicated to delivering reliable reviews, industry news, buying guides, and expert insights. His work focuses on cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles (EVs), automotive technology, maintenance, and market trends in the United States and around the world.
With a strong passion for the automotive industry and digital publishing, David creates content that helps readers make informed decisions when buying, maintaining, or comparing vehicles. Every article is researched using trusted manufacturer information, industry reports, and reputable automotive sources to ensure accuracy and relevance.
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