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Honda Relaunches the CB 500 Hornet After More Than Ten Years, Bringing 49.6 hp Engine, 5-Inch TFT Display and Smartphone Integration, in Presentation at Festival Interlagos 2025. The Model Rescues Tradition and Invests in Technology.
Honda confirmed the return of the CB 500 Hornet to Brazil, now with a 471 cm³ twin-cylinder engine and 49.6 hp, in addition to a 5-Inch TFT Display with smartphone connectivity.
The model was presented to the public at the Festival Interlagos, in São Paulo, held from May 29 to June 1, 2025, marking the return of a name that was in stores from 2004 to 2014.
Return and Market Positioning
The new Hornet 500 arrives to fill the space of medium naked bikes focused on urban and road use.
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The revival of the Hornet emblem resonates with the fan base created by the former 600F and expands the reach of the family, now with a more accessible version in power and cost.
On the brand’s official channel, Honda states that the Hornet title returns “in triple dose” starting in 2025, with the debut of the 500 and mentions of the 750 and 1000 in a later schedule.
Engine, Gearbox and Performance
The well-known mechanical assembly of the 500 platform returns with liquid cooling, six speeds, and 4.5 kgfm of torque, a combination that favors agile handling in traffic and stamina for short trips.
Honda also emphasizes the delivery of torque from low revs, which favors acceleration and balanced consumption.
Technology and Connectivity
The 5″ Color TFT Display offers good readability and automatic brightness adjustment, with new backlit controls on the left grip.
The system is compatible with smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSync platform, which operates the HSVCS (Honda Smartphone Voice Control System) for navigation, music, messaging, and voice calls, provided that an intercom and paired app are used with the phone.
In the global materials of the CB 500 Hornet and on Honda’s institutional page in Brazil, the brand describes this integration as part of the recent features package.
Safety Features and Electronics
In addition to ABS brakes, the Hornet 500 incorporates traction control (HSTC – Honda Selectable Torque Control) and an emergency stop signal (ESS), solutions previously restricted to higher segments.
The lighting is fully LED.
These features enhance the perception of safety, especially in urban use with wet pavement and more intense braking.
Design, Finish and Colors
The design adopts sharper lines and a streetfighter-inspired look, maintaining the Hornet identity with compact proportions and a sporty stance.
The bike is offered in Brazil in red, black, and white, a combination that stood out during the presentation.
Price and Availability
On the official site, the Hornet 500 appears with a suggested retail price of R$ 43,040 (São Paulo base; freight not included).
The page also lists the main attributes, such as the 5″ TFT, HSTC, ESS, and the suspension system with an inverted fork.
Debut at Festival Interlagos
The exposure to the public took place at the Festival Interlagos 2025, with test-rides and brand activations.
Honda itself confirmed the event’s showcase and the dates of the event, emphasizing that the arrival at dealerships would be communicated there.
NX 500: The Adventurous “Sister”
Alongside the Hornet, Honda launched the NX 500, a direct evolution of the CB 500X for those looking to ride between the city and light dirt roads.
The model shares the 471 cm³ (49.6 hp and 4.5 kgfm) engine, adopts 5″ TFT, HSTC, ESS, full-LED lighting, and 19″/17″ wheels.
In Brazil, the NX 500 has a suggested price of R$ 45,800 (freight not included).
How the Return of the Hornet Affects the Segment
The reintroduction of the Hornet name in a 500 cm³ expands the offer of medium motorcycles with an electronic package and connectivity.
This strategy emerges in a heated market, with national production high in 2024 and 2025, according to Abraciclo, although specific indicators by displacement category vary according to the source.
For the consumer, the combination of technology, efficiency, and price tends to be a competitive differential against direct rivals, especially for those migrating from 250/300 models.
What Honda Says
Brand representatives define the motorcycle’s proposal as centered on convenience and digital integration.
In communication to the press during the presentations, the evaluation was that “the new Hornet was developed to deliver the most in connectivity and practicality, following global trends in the segment.”
In Summary: Key Deliveries
The return of the CB 500 Hornet to Brazil combines traditional name, 49.6 hp engine, TFT with smartphone integration, HSTC, ESS, and LED in an updated design.
Its presence at the Festival Interlagos 2025 marked the local debut, while the NX 500 reinforces the strategy to expand the medium range with the same mechanical assembly and technological package.
In light of this scenario, how do you assess the appeal of the new Hornet 500 for those moving from a 300 and seeking their first step into the “mediums” universe?
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