The Honda Activa's design doesn't look that contemporary when it stands beside the Nova. Take the front panels for instance. The Nova's front with its three slits that look like air dams, flanked by the vertical turn indicators, give it a futuristic and a rounded muscular look. Compared to this, the Activa looks plain and delicate up front. As a matter of fact, the Nova on the whole appears more chunky when viewed from the side too, its sculpted side panels with the curved contours giving it a 'big' look as compared to the flattened side panels of the Activa that give it a distinct, chiselled look.

Both the headlights are the clear-lens type albeit the Nova's appears larger due to the fact that it doesn't have to share the room on the nacelle with the turn indicators like on the Activa. Here too the look of the Nova is distinctly rounded. An extra touch on the Nova is the orange reflectors on the rearview mirrors. The instrument panel of the Activa has a more bold and uncluttered layout whereas the Nova seems a little cramped with the turn indicator and high beam lamps tucked away in the corners. Priority of location is given to the MMx (Mileage Maximiser) lamps. These lamps are a unique feature in the Nova and remind the rider to ride in a manner that will help achieve the maximum in terms of fuel economy. While these indicate when to accelerate or decelerate, the beeps that they emit can get very irritating over a period, especially when riding quickly.The switchgear on both the scooters is almost identical in terms of looks and positioning. The Nova has one extra notch on the headlight switch because it also includes a parking light that the Activa doesn't have. Easy to reach and ideally placed, the positioning on both does away with any fumbling or the need to take your eyes off the road. The black switches on both blend well with the handlebars and lend an attractive integrated look.

Though the Nova is better looking, the Activa is definitely more ergonomic. For one, the footboard on the Nova could have been better designed and big-footed people will have a problem in placing their feet comfortably. The flat floorboard of the Activa is definitely more convenient. Another factor is the seating position that has the Activa rider in a much more relaxed posture while the handlebars of the Nova tend to bump the rider's knees. Even the pillion on the Activa is more comfortable due to the well-positioned pillion footpegs.

In terms of storage, the Nova has more space with the large cubbyhole under the seat that can accommodate two helmets, though one has to be an open-face one. Plus there is a glovebox, mounted on the rear of the front panel, that gives added storage space. The space under the seat in the Activa is generous, though not as spacious as the Nova and the glovebox behind the front panel only comes as an option. This gives the Nova an edge in terms of utility.The tail-lamps of the two scooters make the scooters appear poles apart when viewed from the rear. While the Activa's lamp blends neatly into the bodylines that flow down from the seat and is contained by a neat black bumper beneath, the Nova has a bigger lamp that dominates the rear.

Both the scooters have 10-inch wheels with 130mm drum brakes on the front and rear wheels. The suspension set-up used on both scooters is the popular leading link for the front and single shock at the rear. A spare wheel is offered as optional on both, but the Activa has the Tuff-Up tube to save the rider from the inconvenience of a puncture.

Considering that many of the users for these products will be women, both manufacturers have designed the main stand in such a way that they go over with minimal effort. Gone are those days when you had to yank a Bajaj or a Lamberetta hard to get it onto the centre stand. A side stand is also provided to make things easier.

Nova scores on looks and storage space, but the Activa is more ergonomical
Nova
Activa