Splendor Plus vs Passion+ (2026): Price, Mileage & EMI Compared

The Hero Splendor Plus and Passion+ are natural rivals because both target everyday Indian commuting with the same 97.2cc engine, four-speed gearbox and 70kmpl manufacturer mileage figure. Their characters are different. The Splendor Plus is the lighter, simpler and slightly cheaper icon. The 2026 Passion+ is positioned as the better-equipped 100cc commuter, with more expressive bodywork and features such as a projector LED headlamp, mobile charging and, on the relevant disc variant, a digital console and Bluetooth alerts.

At current September 2026 average ex-showroom prices, the base Splendor Plus is around ₹77,123 and the Passion+ drum is around ₹79,534. The entry difference is approximately ₹2,411. Delhi on-road references are about ₹92,954 and ₹95,535 respectively, a difference of roughly ₹2,581. This is small enough that price alone should not decide the purchase.

Choose the Splendor Plus if the lowest purchase cost, 112kg kerb weight, 785mm seat and mechanical simplicity matter most. Consider the Passion+ if you value a larger tank, contemporary design, projector lighting and the feature-rich upper variant. Since their engines make identical output, the Passion premium buys equipment and styling rather than faster acceleration.

Price Comparison

The Splendor Plus has the lower entry price, while the Passion+ reaches higher because its disc trim adds meaningful hardware and technology.

 

These are ex-showroom figures, excluding registration, road tax, insurance and local charges. A current Delhi reference places the entry Splendor Plus at approximately ₹92,954 on-road and Passion+ at approximately ₹95,535. The invoice can change with city, colour, insurance cover, accessories and dealership fees, so request an itemised quotation.

At entry, the Passion+ costs about ₹2,400 more ex-showroom. Its disc version is about ₹6,800 above the base Splendor. The extra amount can provide a 240mm front disc, full-digital instrument console, Bluetooth call and SMS alerts, plus the Passion's projector LED headlamp. The Splendor's proposition remains straightforward: established 100cc transport without paying for connected hardware.

EMI Comparison

For a consistent financing illustration, assume the Delhi entry on-road prices, a 20% down payment, 9.5% annual interest on a reducing balance and a 36-month tenure. Processing fees and optional products are excluded.

 

The Passion+ costs approximately ₹66 more per month and about ₹2,900 more in total outflow under this example. This is not an official lender quote. Credit profile, rate, processing fee, tenure and whether insurance is financed affect repayment. Users can check city-specific financing and EMI options on Drivio and compare the total payable, not only the advertised monthly number.

Mileage & Running Cost

Hero states 70kmpl for both models with E20 fuel, subject to test conditions. That makes them equal on the official headline. For a real-world reference, BikeWale's owner-reported averages are approximately 63kmpl for Splendor Plus and 60kmpl for Passion+. Owner data is observational rather than a controlled test, so route, load, speed, servicing and tyre pressure matter.

At 1,000km per month and an illustrative petrol price of ₹100 per litre, 63kmpl costs about ₹1,587 monthly; 60kmpl costs about ₹1,667. The calculated difference is roughly ₹80 monthly in favour of Splendor. At the claimed 70kmpl, either would use about 14.3 litres and cost approximately ₹1,429.

Splendor is therefore the safer economy choice when purchase price and reported consumption are combined. Yet the practical gap is modest. Smooth throttle inputs, correct pressure, a clean air filter and timely service can influence expenditure more than a few kilometres per litre on a comparison page.

Engine & Performance

Both motorcycles use Hero's 97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder OHC engine with programmed fuel injection. Maximum output is 5.9kW, equivalent to about 8.02PS, at 8,000rpm, with 8.05Nm at 6,000rpm. Both have a four-speed constant-mesh transmission and wet multi-plate clutch.

Their practical performance is consequently extremely close. The motor is tuned for clean low-speed response, easy starts and economical progress through urban traffic. Neither offers the reserve expected from a 125cc bike for quick overtakes or sustained highway touring. Occasional ring-road or highway runs are possible, but sensible cruising and advance planning are required.

The lighter Splendor can feel marginally easier to thread through congested lanes, while the Passion's extra bodywork and weight give it a slightly more substantial sensation. Refinement depends heavily on maintenance and how hard the engine is worked; both are most relaxed at ordinary commuter speeds.

Features

The Splendor Plus deliberately keeps features basic. It uses an analogue instrument cluster and halogen headlamp with an LED position lamp. i3S idle stop-start is offered on selected variants, and the equipment list includes a side-stand engine cut-off, tubeless tyres and Integrated Braking System. Bluetooth, navigation and a factory USB outlet are not standard Splendor Plus features; buyers seeking them should look at the Splendor+ XTEC family.

Passion+ is the technology leader in this pairing. Hero lists a projector LED headlamp, USB charging, i3S, side-stand cut-off and a utility box. The drum variant has a digi-analogue display. The disc variant adds a full-digital cluster, Bluetooth call and SMS alerts and a 240mm front disc. Verify the equipment on the selected invoice because Hero identifies these as variant-specific.

Neither motorcycle has ABS. Base configurations use 130mm front and rear drums with IBS, while only the relevant Passion+ variant supplies a front disc. Neither provides turn-by-turn navigation. The important difference is that Passion+ offers useful lighting, charging and notification upgrades without moving to a larger engine.

Design, Comfort & Practicality

The Splendor Plus retains its familiar slim tank, rectangular lamp and restrained graphics. Passion+ looks fuller and younger, with a sculpted tank, longer visual profile and projector lamp. Personal taste matters: one communicates understatement and continuity; the other feels more contemporary.

Splendor's 785mm seat is 5mm lower than Passion's 790mm figure. Kerb weight is approximately 112kg for Splendor, versus 115kg for Passion drum and 116kg for disc. The small differences favour Splendor for parking and shorter riders, although both remain approachable.

Ground clearance is 165mm on Splendor and 168mm on Passion+. Fuel capacities are 9.8 and 11 litres, giving Passion a useful range advantage despite its slightly lower owner-reported mileage. Both use upright ergonomics and long single-piece seats. Passion's broader presentation may suit regular two-up use, while Splendor's lightness makes repeated U-turns particularly easy.

Maintenance & Ownership

Because the engine family is shared, routine care is similar: follow the owner's manual for oil changes and inspections, maintain chain slack and lubrication, keep tyres correctly inflated and have the brakes and fuel-injection system checked at scheduled services. Hero lists a five-year or 70,000km warranty, whichever comes first, subject to terms.

Both benefit from Hero's nationwide dealer footprint, but labour quality, appointment availability and parts stock vary locally. Compare nearby authorised workshops and request a written service schedule. Passion's projector lamp, digital console and connected electronics add convenience but also more components than the basic Splendor.

Resale cannot be promised. Age, documents, condition, usage and local demand determine the result. The Splendor name has broad recognition, but a well-kept Passion+ with complete records can also be attractive. For ownership cost, Splendor's lower purchase price and simpler specification give it the numerical advantage.

Key Differences

 

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the Splendor Plus if:

You want the lower entry price and EMI.

Minimum kerb weight matters in traffic.

You prefer a 785mm seat and simple equipment.

Economy outranks connected features.

Choose the Passion+ if:

You want projector lighting and USB charging.

A larger 11-litre tank appeals to you.

You will use the disc variant's digital console and Bluetooth alerts.

The modest price and EMI premium is manageable.

Overall, Splendor Plus is the rational value recommendation for a pure daily commuter: it is cheaper, lighter and equal on claimed mileage and engine output. Passion+ is the more appealing feature-led choice, particularly in disc form. Test the seat and lighting, then compare itemised on-road and financing totals rather than choosing only by badge.

Final Verdict

Splendor Plus wins on budget, lightness and likely day-to-day economy; Passion+ wins on lighting, charging and upper-variant technology. Since performance is identical, choose the equipment you will actually use. Drivio can help compare city-specific financing and EMI possibilities before you lock the dealership quotation.