At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Hero Passion Plus
- 97.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm
- 70 kmpl (ARAI)
- 11-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- LED headlamp + USB charging (standard)
Hero Splendor Plus
- 97.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm
- 70 kmpl (ARAI)
- 9.8-litre tank
- 4 variants available
- Lower starting price at ₹74,958
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Hero Passion Plus | Hero Splendor Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 97.2 cc | 97.2 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| Max Power | 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm | 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 2 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.9 : 1 | 9.9 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50 × 49.5 mm | 50.0 × 49.5 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual | 4-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 87 km/h | 87 km/h |
| Idle Stop-Start (i3S) | Yes | Yes (i3S variant only) |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 70 kmpl | 70 kmpl |
| Real-world Mileage | 58–62 kmpl (Owner Reported) | 60–62 kmpl (Owner Reported) |
| Fuel Tank | 11 litres | 9.8 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.8 litres | ~1.0–1.4 litres |
| Riding Range (est.) | ~660 km | ~580–650 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS (Integrated Braking System) | CBS (Integrated Braking System) |
| Front Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 / 80/100-18 | 80/100-18 / 80/100-18 |
| Wheel Size (F & R) | 18-inch | 18-inch |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Hydraulic | Telescopic Hydraulic |
| Rear Suspension | 5-Step Adjustable Hydraulic | 5-Step Adjustable Hydraulic |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Chassis Type | Tubular Double Cradle | Tubular Double Cradle |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 115 kg | 112 kg |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 785 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 168 mm | 165 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1235 mm | 1236 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 1982 × 770 × 1087 mm | 2000 × 720 × 1052 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Digi-Analogue | Analogue |
| Headlight Type | LED | Halogen |
| DRLs | No | No |
| Brake / Tail Light | Bulb | Halogen |
| Turn Signals | Bulb | Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| USB Charging Port | Yes (all variants) | Yes (i3S & Black/Accent variants only) |
| Bluetooth / Mobile Connectivity | No | No |
| Idle Stop-Start (i3S) | Yes (both variants) | Yes (i3S variant only) |
| Start Type | Kick and Electric | Kick and Electric (Standard) / Electric (i3S) |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Low Fuel Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹77,439 | ₹74,958 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹78,829 (Million Edition) | ₹77,406 (Million Edition) |
| Number of Variants | 2 | 4 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 70,000 km | 5 Years / 70,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Passion Plus Variants
Splendor Plus Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- LED headlamp standard for better night visibility
- USB charging port on all variants — convenient for daily use
- Larger 11-litre fuel tank — more range per fill (~660 km)
- Slightly higher ground clearance (168 mm vs 165 mm)
- Digi-analogue console feels more modern
- i3S idle stop-start standard on all variants
- Same ARAI 70 kmpl mileage and 97.2cc engine
- Same CBS braking and 5-year warranty
Cons
- ₹2,481 more expensive than the Splendor Plus base
- Only 2 variants — limited choice
- Heavier at 115 kg vs 112 kg
- No disc brake or Bluetooth on any variant
- Lower resale value compared to Splendor Plus
- Narrower brand appeal in rural markets
Pros
- Lower starting price (₹74,958 vs ₹77,439)
- 4 variants to choose from — more buying flexibility
- Lighter at 112 kg — easier city handling
- Exceptional resale value — among best in commuter segment
- i3S and USB charging available on i3S variant (₹76,023)
- Most trusted brand name in Indian commuter segment
- Widest service network — unbeatable in rural India
- Same ARAI mileage, engine, braking and warranty
Cons
- Halogen headlamp — less effective at night than LED
- USB charging not available on base Standard variant
- Fully analogue instrument console — less modern
- Smaller 9.8-litre tank — less range than Passion Plus
- Lower ground clearance (165 mm)
- No disc brake or Bluetooth on any variant
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine & Performance
Both bikes are powered by the identical 97.2cc air-cooled 2-valve engine producing 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm and 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm. Bore, stroke, compression ratio, clutch, and 4-speed gearbox are all shared. Both also have the i3S idle stop-start system, though the Splendor Plus limits this to its i3S variant while the Passion Plus includes it across all variants. Performance, refinement, and fuel efficiency are effectively identical between the two.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
Both bikes share an identical ARAI-certified 70 kmpl figure. The Passion Plus, however, has a notably larger 11-litre fuel tank versus the Splendor Plus's 9.8-litre unit — a 1.2-litre difference. This translates to an estimated riding range of ~660 km for the Passion Plus versus ~580–650 km for the Splendor Plus. For riders with longer daily commutes or those refuelling less frequently, the Passion Plus's larger tank is a meaningful advantage.
Braking & Safety
Both motorcycles use identical braking setups — 130 mm drum brakes on both ends, CBS (Integrated Braking System), and the same 18-inch alloy wheels with 80/100-18 tubeless tyres. Ground clearance gives the Passion Plus a very minor edge at 168 mm vs 165 mm. Both have side stand engine cut-off and a kill switch. There is no meaningful safety difference between the two bikes.
Lighting & Features
This is where the Passion Plus pulls ahead most clearly. It features an LED headlamp and a digi-analogue instrument console — both of which the Splendor Plus lacks, using halogen lighting and a fully analogue cluster instead. The Passion Plus also has a USB charging port standard on all variants, while the Splendor Plus only offers USB charging on the i3S and Black/Accent variants. Neither bike has Bluetooth, DRLs, or a digital trip computer.
Variants, Resale & Network
The Splendor Plus offers 4 variants from ₹74,958 to ₹77,406, giving buyers more flexibility to choose based on features and budget. The Passion Plus has only 2 variants. Beyond variants, the Splendor Plus carries India's most recognised commuter brand name and commands exceptional resale value — often higher than any rival in the segment — backed by Hero's unparalleled service network, especially in rural and tier-2/3 cities.
Price & Value
The Splendor Plus starts at ₹74,958 — ₹2,481 cheaper than the Passion Plus's ₹77,439. The Splendor Plus i3S at ₹76,023 offers USB charging and i3S — just ₹1,416 more than its base variant — making it an attractive mid-point. The Passion Plus top variant at ₹78,829 is ₹1,423 more than the Splendor Plus top variant at ₹77,406. For the premium, the Passion Plus offers an LED headlamp and USB on all variants. Whether that's worth ₹2,481 depends entirely on how much you value these features.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Hero Passion Plus if…
- An LED headlamp for night-time visibility matters to you
- USB charging standard on all variants is important
- A larger 11-litre tank for longer range is a priority
- A more modern digi-analogue console appeals to you
- Slightly more ground clearance (168 mm) helps your roads
- You are comfortable spending ₹2,481 more over the Splendor Plus base
Buy the Hero Splendor Plus if…
- Lower starting price (₹74,958) fits your budget better
- Best-in-class resale value is a long-term priority
- More variant choices suit your specific needs
- You ride in areas with Hero service centres at every corner
- Lighter weight (112 kg) aids daily city manoeuvring
- You are happy with halogen and can live without LED headlamp
- The i3S variant at ₹76,023 gives USB + i3S at a great price
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Hero Splendor Plus. While the Passion Plus offers genuinely useful upgrades — LED headlamp, USB charging on all variants, and a larger tank — the Splendor Plus's lower starting price, four variant choices, lighter weight, exceptional resale value, and unmatched service network make it the smarter long-term purchase for most Indian commuters. The sweet spot is the Splendor Plus i3S at ₹76,023, which adds USB charging and i3S for just ₹1,065 more than the Splendor base — making it narrowly cheaper than the Passion Plus while matching it on key practical features. If night-time visibility with an LED headlamp is genuinely important to you, then spend the extra ₹1,416 on the Passion Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Hero Splendor Plus is the better choice for most buyers — it offers a lower starting price (₹74,958), more variant choices, lighter weight, stronger resale value, and Hero's unmatched service network. The Splendor Plus i3S at ₹76,023 adds USB charging and i3S. Choose the Hero Passion Plus if an LED headlamp, USB charging on all variants, and a larger 11-litre tank are features you specifically need and value over the ₹2,481 price difference.
The Hero Splendor Plus starts at ₹74,958 while the Hero Passion Plus starts at ₹77,439 — a difference of ₹2,481 at the base level. The Splendor Plus ranges from ₹74,958 to ₹77,406 across four variants, while the Passion Plus ranges from ₹77,439 to ₹78,829 across two variants. All prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
The engine, mileage, braking, suspension, warranty and overall performance are identical. Key differences: Passion Plus has an LED headlamp, USB charging on all variants, digi-analogue console, larger 11-litre tank, and i3S on all variants. Splendor Plus has halogen headlamp, analogue console, 9.8-litre tank, and offers 4 variants from ₹74,958 — with USB charging and i3S only on select variants. Splendor Plus is lighter at 112 kg and has stronger resale value.
Yes, the Hero Passion Plus comes with an LED headlamp as standard across all its variants — both the Drum Brake OBD2B and the Million Edition. The Hero Splendor Plus uses a conventional halogen headlamp across all four of its variants. The LED headlamp on the Passion Plus provides better nighttime illumination and lower energy consumption compared to the Splendor Plus's halogen unit.
The Hero Splendor Plus has USB charging only on the i3S variant (₹76,023) and the Black and Accent variant (₹76,021) — not on the base Standard or Million Edition variants. The Hero Passion Plus includes USB charging as standard across all its variants. If USB charging is important to you and you prefer the Splendor Plus, opt for the i3S or Black/Accent variant at ₹76,021–₹76,023.
The Hero Passion Plus has a larger 11-litre fuel tank compared to the Hero Splendor Plus's 9.8-litre tank — a difference of 1.2 litres. With both bikes delivering around 70 kmpl ARAI mileage, the Passion Plus has an estimated riding range of ~660 km versus ~580–650 km for the Splendor Plus. For riders who want to refuel less frequently or travel longer distances between stops, the Passion Plus's larger tank is a practical advantage.