Honda PCX 125 Review: What It's Like to Ride

The Honda PCX 125 is the scooter that comes up most often when someone asks what to rent to get around Lisbon without hassle. It is not the cheapest in the fleet, nor the most powerful, nor the one that deserves the most photos. It is the one that gives the fewest surprises. In this article we look at it as if you were getting ready to ride it for a day or a week: what the rider feels, who it makes sense for, where it starts to fall short and how it compares with the DX version and the other 125s in the workshop.

In short:

• October 2026 price: Honda PCX125 at €45.77 per day, DX version at €55.80 per day.
• 125 cm³, 9.2 kW (12.5 hp), 134 kg and a 763 mm seat height.
• An A1 licence, or a B licence if you are 25, is enough to ride it.
• Includes 400 km per day; each extra kilometre costs €0.35.
• €600 deposit on your card, returned within 5 working days; booking with 30% upfront.

What a PCX 125 is, in practice

Let's start with the numbers, because they explain almost everything else. The engine is 125 cm³ and delivers 9.2 kW, or 12.5 horsepower, at 8,750 rpm. The transmission is an automatic variator: no gears, no clutch, you twist the throttle and the scooter goes. The kerb weight is 134 kg and the seat is 763 mm from the ground. These are the specifications listed on the data sheet for the Honda PCX 125 rental in Lisbon.

134 kg is light for a scooter in this category. In practice, it means that parking manoeuvres, pushing it backwards on a sloping pavement or putting it on the centre stand stop being a feat of strength. Anyone who has never ridden a motorcycle notices that difference in the first few metres.

The 763 mm seat is just as low. A person of average height puts both feet flat on the ground with room to spare, which takes the anxiety out of uphill stops and traffic lights with uneven surfaces.

The tank holds 8.1 litres and the fuel is 95-octane petrol. The rental data sheet points to a range of about 320 km. Honda Portugal quotes a consumption of 2.1 L/100 km, a figure that, worked out against the tank, would give up to 385 km in ideal conditions. In the city, with traffic lights and congestion, count on the more conservative figure of 320 km, and refuel without waiting for the last bar.

How it rides

An automatic scooter demands less thought than a motorcycle with gears, and that has a curious effect: the rider has attention to spare for what matters. You look more at the mirrors, at pedestrians, at the doors of parked cars. In Lisbon, where surprises come from the right-hand side, that counts.

City: where the PCX is strongest

The pull-away is smooth and the response is progressive. With 12.5 hp you should not expect aggressive acceleration, but the first part of the throttle is lively enough to get ahead of the cars at a traffic light and settle calmly into the lane. The 134 kg helps you change direction quickly when a pothole or a wet manhole cover appears.

There are two disc brakes, 220 mm at the front and rear according to Honda, and ABS is part of the package. On wet Portuguese cobblestones, a brake with ABS gives peace of mind; even so, wet cobblestones always call for long, gentle braking, even with technology. Honda also mentions a selectable torque control (HSTC) in the current range, which monitors rear tyre grip. Check with the team at pickup what your unit comes with.

The space under the seat is one of the most practical arguments. Honda advertises 30.4 litres, enough, says the brand, for a full-face helmet. On the street, this means you can stash the helmet when you have lunch on a terrace in Cascais, or leave a small backpack without carrying it around on your back. There is also a USB-C socket, which charges your phone while you use the navigation.

Open road: where it starts to fall short

Here it is worth being honest. A 125 cm³ scooter was not designed for motorways with crosswinds and lorries. Outside the city, it does better on national and municipal roads, where speed is moderate and the scenery makes up for the pace. On long climbs, like those up to the Sintra mountains, speed drops and the engine asks for full throttle. It is not a flaw, it is what you expect from 9.2 kW. The mistake is planning a day as if it were a 650 cm³ motorcycle.

On the other hand, the low seat and the upright position make two- or three-hour outings easier than the spec sheet suggests.

PCX or PCX DX: what changes

The fleet includes two versions. The standard PCX125 costs €45.77 per day and the PCX125 DX costs €55.80, both at October 2026 prices. The difference is €10.03 per day, or €30.09 on a three-day rental.

On paper, the two share the same engine, the same power, the same weight and the same seat height. What the DX adds, according to the trim description on the website and Honda's page, is the more complete package: a 5-inch TFT display with phone connectivity (Honda RoadSync) and rear shock absorbers with external reservoirs. Honda describes these shock absorbers as more comfortable for the city.

Feature	PCX125	PCX125 DX
Price per day (October 2026)	€45.77	€55.80
Maximum power	9.2 kW (12.5 hp)	9.2 kW (12.5 hp)
Kerb weight	134 kg	134 kg
Seat height	763 mm	763 mm
Deposit	€600	€600
Kilometres included	400 km per day	400 km per day

Is the DX worth it? It depends on how you plan to use the scooter. If you are going to follow a map on your phone all day, having the navigation on the display in front of you, rather than on an improvised holder, is a real advantage. If the plan is hotel, restaurant and a nearby beach, the base version does exactly the same job and leaves €10 a day in your pocket.

Who it suits

Anyone who has never ridden a motorcycle

Here the PCX is the obvious choice, as long as you have a licence. The automatic removes the scariest part of the first time, which is managing gears while you learn the traffic. The low weight and the accessible seat do the rest. The practical advice is the same as always: give yourself a few minutes in a quiet spot before heading onto the avenues.

Couples and visitors passing through

A 125 cm³ scooter is more agile than a rental car and does not make you hunt for parking for twenty minutes. For anyone with three or four days in Lisbon who wants to include Belém, Parque das Nações or a trip out to Estoril or Cascais, the logic is unbeatable.

Those who already ride but want comfort

If you come from a big motorcycle and just want to get around the city, you will find here a light automatic that is less tiring in heavy traffic.

Those who need speed

If your idea of a perfect day includes long stretches of motorway, a 125 is not the right vehicle. In that case, look at the next category up, with larger scooters or mid-size motorcycles, instead of trying to force a 125 to do what it was not designed to do.

The licence you need

The rental data sheet asks for a driving licence in category A1, or category B if the rider is 25. This matches what the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, Portugal's mobility and transport institute) explains on its page about motorcycle driving licences: holders of a B licence are considered qualified for motorcycles up to 125 cm³ and a maximum power of 11 kW (category A1), provided they are 25 or older, or hold a valid licence for mopeds.

The PCX meets this limit with room to spare. The 9.2 kW is below the 11 kW ceiling of category A1, and the 125 cm³ matches the displacement limit. Anyone who wants to understand how the different categories are organised will find the full table on the IMT page about the categories of driving licences.

Besides the licence, the rental requires an identity card or passport, a credit or debit card to block the deposit, and adequate motorcycle riding experience.

What it really costs

Prices vary by day and there is no discount for long rentals, so the sum is straightforward. The PCX125 at €45.77 per day means €137.31 for three days and €320.39 for seven days, at October 2026 prices. The DX version at €55.80 per day comes to €167.40 for three days and €390.60 for seven.

The price includes all taxes (VAT at 23%), third-party liability insurance, roadside assistance, a lock and a basic rider helmet. The kilometres included are 400 per day, and each additional kilometre costs €0.35. With 320 km of range per tank, going past 400 km in a day is rare, but if it happens, 50 extra km cost €17.50.

The deposit is €600 and is held on your card without being charged, then returned within 5 working days after drop-off. To book, you only need to pay 30% of the total at the time of booking; the rest is paid at pickup. It is worth checking your card's available limit before arriving at the shop, because the deposit needs free room.

What is not included

Delivery to your home or the airport is charged separately. The alternative is pickup at the Sobreda shop, on Estrada Nacional N10-1, no. 189, open every day from 09:00 to 19:00.

Three ideas for a day with the PCX

Historic city

Praça do Comércio, Alfama, Belém and Parque das Nações, all in the same day, without a single lap looking for parking. The scooter fits where a car cannot go, and the space under the seat takes your helmet while you visit a museum or have lunch. For anyone with little time in the city, it is probably the best possible use of the rental.

Cascais line

Following the coastal road to Estoril and Cascais is a classic outing. The pace is moderate and the 125 cm³ engine works within its comfort zone. On days of strong wind, hold the handlebars firmly: at 134 kg, the PCX feels the gusts more than a heavy motorcycle does.

Sintra

The roads up into the mountains make the PCX work with the throttle almost fully open. It can be done, but the pace is slow. If you choose this trip, set off early, bring an extra layer of clothing and leave time to stop.

The weak points, said plainly

No scooter is perfect, and the PCX has its limits. First, power: 12.5 hp is enough for the city, but not for decisive overtaking on a national road with fast traffic. Second, wind: with a low weight and wide bodywork, the scooter feels strong gusts, especially on bridges and open areas by the sea. Third, space: 30.4 litres is enough for a helmet and little more, so anyone travelling with luggage has to carry it on their back or choose another type of vehicle.

Then there is the question of the passenger: the position of the second occupant on a 125 is always a compromise, and the comfort of two people on long rides is lower than on a 350 cm³ scooter. The fleet includes that type of model, and anyone planning to always ride two-up should compare them before booking.

How to book and prepare for the day

The process is simple. Choose your dates on the scooter's page, confirm availability and pay 30% to secure the booking. At pickup, bring your ID, your licence and the card for the deposit. Check the condition of the scooter before leaving, adjust the mirrors and take a short spin in the car park before setting off.

If you are comparing options, the complete list of rent a 125 scooter in Lisbon shows all the models and current prices. To compare with the rest of the category, see the prices and general conditions of 125 motorcycle rental in Lisbon.

After the licence and the conditions, one detail remains: the official data sheet. The PCX 125 page on Honda Portugal describes the equipment of the current range, and the PCX 125 specifications page gathers the consumption and storage figures. Remember that these are manufacturer data for the current model, which may differ slightly from the 2025 unit in the fleet.

Frequently asked questions

What licence do I need to rent a Honda PCX 125?

A category A1 licence, or a B licence if you are 25. You will also need to show ID and a credit or debit card for the deposit, and have adequate motorcycle riding experience.

How much does it cost to rent the PCX 125 per day?

At October 2026 prices, the PCX125 costs €45.77 per day and the PCX125 DX costs €55.80 per day. The price includes VAT, third-party liability insurance, roadside assistance, a lock and a rider helmet.

How many kilometres can I ride per day?

Each rental day includes 400 km. If you go over that, each additional kilometre costs €0.35. A 450 km day, for example, adds €17.50 to the total.

How does the deposit work?

It is €600, held on your credit or debit card at pickup and returned within 5 working days. Since the amount is blocked and not debited, make sure your card limit has enough margin.

Can I take the scooter outside Lisbon?

The 400 km included per day leave room for trips to Cascais or Sintra and back on the same day. If the trip is longer, work out the consumption from the 8.1-litre tank and refuel ahead of time: the range of about 320 km is a reference value, not a guarantee, and consumption rises on long climbs and in strong wind.