The Yamaha Mio Fazzio is one of those endearing scooters that would probably sell just because of its styling. That may very well be the case, judging by the long reservation lists in Yamaha dealerships for the Fazzio. Except that this neo-retro stylish scooter is more than just eye candy. It offers so much more for its price tag of PHP 88,900.

A hybrid on two wheels

The Mio Fazzio is the local market's first and only hybrid scooter. Under those nicely shaped panels is a 125 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled Blue Core Hybrid engine, which produces 6.2 kW and 9.9 Nm. The maximum torque, however, is bumped up to 10.6 Nm in the first 3 seconds during acceleration via the power assist function of the electric starter. It may not seem much on paper, but the Mio Fazzio’s brisk acceleration is comparable to that of a 150 cc. I did experience some acceleration drag, which is weird because this is only common in heavy maxiscooters and is quite rare in 95-kilogram scooters like the Fazzio.

While the Fazzio is not the “sip-fuel-pinky-finger-extended” type of hybrid, I was still able to achieve a decent fuel consumption of 45 kilometers per liter. This is thanks partly to Yamaha’s Start and Stop System, which automatically shuts the engine off when idling in place. This prevents unnecessary fuel burning and is a handy feature, especially for those who ride the city streets almost exclusively. Some Fazzio owners claim to achieve 50-60 kilometers per liter, but I am a bit heavy-handed and also a heavy rider by local standards.

Suspension

The Mio Fazzio’s front fork and rear single-shock setup offer a ride on the soft side, which might not be to the liking of some riders. On the other hand, I appreciated it as I frequent the bumpy areas of C-5 and EDSA. The front bottomed out on me a few times as I hit some unpainted speed humps.

Chill ride

The riding position is quite comfy, though. The handlebar is placed low to allow a relaxed arm position. Yet, it steers clear of my knees even at tight turns. The small-ish 12-inch wheels make filtering through the gridlock less of a chore, but I had my doubts initially about high-speed stability. Yet, even when approaching three-digit speeds, the Fazzio stays planted.

Practical

The floorboard is wide enough to accommodate my (ahem!) size US 12 feet with room to spare. Should you decide to use it as a cargo bed, you could secure your stuff using the two carabiner-type luggage hooks. There is also generous cargo capacity under the seat, though the 17.8-liter space still won’t fit a helmet of any kind. I the center of the saddle, I like. It is flat and level, keeping me from sliding to the front. The foam has just the right firmness to give good support to my rear end and help maintain a straight back.

A USB port is inside the front glove box to store your phone while charging on the fly. You can also pair your phone to your unit using the Y-connect App to get useful information like Malfunction Notification, Parking Location, Fuel Consumption Tracker, Message Notifications, and a partridge in a pear tree.

The Yamaha Mio Fazzio is a performance scooter that comes in a stylish package. It is a much more affordable alternative to a 150cc scooter if you require some decent grunt in commuting but have a tight budget. The Fazzio’s fuel-saving features will also help in that regard.  

Styling is a matter of preference, so would you buy the Fazzio for its hybrid technology even if the classic look isn’t your cup of tea?