Starting from 35,000! Wuyang Honda NX500 is a domestically produced model, with electronic clutch and 400km of battery life. Are CB500X owners unable to sit still?

The domestic mid-row ADV market in 2026 seems destined to no longer be calm. As soon as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the 403rd batch, Wuyang Honda officially won the domestic production rights of the NX500, and the news that the car was sold starting at 35,000 made the car circle instantly. You know, this car is not a gimmick. It has an electronic clutch and a battery life of over 400 kilometers. As soon as it appeared, many knights' hearts beat a little faster. Many people even began to wonder whether the CB500X in their hands should find a new owner.

Speaking of this NX500, it is essentially an "enhanced version" of the CB500X, but the overall style has been completely renovated. The family-style X-shaped front face looks tough and clean. When the lights are turned on at night, the illumination range can be expanded by 15%. The clean cold light shines on the asphalt road, giving a sense of security. Coupled with the taller windshield and sharper lines, the whole car's adventurous atmosphere immediately becomes stronger. In addition, I noticed that its curb weight has dropped to 198 kilograms, which is 3 kilograms lighter. It may not seem like much, but you can feel the lightness when pushing and moving the car. Especially when turning around in the mud, the car does not "hold still" like before.

The power part is still the 471cc inline twin-cylinder water-cooled engine. Old knights all know that this machine is as stable as an old cow. The maximum power is 36kW and the torque of 44N·m can explode at 6250 rpm. In actual riding, the performance in low-speed areas is smoother, there is no lag when following cars in urban areas, and it is easy to overtake on national highways. During the test ride that day, I gently turned the accelerator, and the sound was clear and the push on the back was not violent but very real. The fuel consumption test per 100 kilometers was 3.6L. With a 17.5L fuel tank, it was more than enough for a 400-kilometer ride. The smell of gasoline mixed with the wind blew past the car. At that moment, I really wanted to go all the way north.

What really makes the NX500 eye-catching is the E-Clutch, which has been extended to middle-row models for the first time. The new car declaration information shows that there will be two versions: standard and electronic clutch version, the latter weighs 3 kilograms. Its magic is that it can automatically control the clutch. When you are stuck in traffic, you don't have to squeeze the clutch lever with your hands. Just relax your fingers and the car can still move forward smoothly. There is no need to switch to neutral when the light is red. When the light turns green, tap the accelerator and simply leave. After trying it for a while, the soreness and swelling in my left hand disappeared, and I felt much lighter. Moreover, veterans who like pure control can switch back to full manual mode at any time. The logic of this free switching, I must say, really "understands players".

The car and machine parts continue Honda’s prudent route. The 5-inch TFT color screen is coupled with RoadSync interconnection. After connecting it with a mobile phone, navigation and music can be seen on the instrument panel. The display is quite clear, and the sunlight reflects slightly on the screen. I once thought it was the brightness of the tempered film. In terms of safety configuration, ABS and HSTC traction control are standard. When encountering slippery ground, the system intervenes and the body can be controlled very stably. I tried to get out of trouble on the muddy ground, and the rear wheel just slipped, and the system immediately intervened to pull the body back. The slight shaking feeling made me nervous, but I immediately felt relieved.

The suspension uses Showa's 41mm inverted front fork, coupled with a five-stage adjustable rear shock absorber. I deliberately drove over several speed bumps, and the front fork's sinking action was crisp and its rebound was stable. At that moment, I could feel the car body squatting down slightly and then stabilizing. The vibration transmitted to the handle was slightly lighter than that of the CB500X, and the numbness in the palms was reduced by half. It's comfortable enough on the road and can continue to have fun on gravel roads. There are also LED lights throughout the car, Nissin calipers, and 180mm ground clearance. Every detail of these configurations is really focused on the riding experience.

Pricing is everyone’s biggest concern. According to the NX400's starting price of 29,000, the NX500's increased displacement and configuration are estimated to be completely reasonable at 35,000. What's more, with the localization rate reaching over 70%, the cost of this area is directly reduced, and there is no need to pay import taxes. Referring to the price of the imported version of CB500X, which is RMB 70,000, the cost is almost halved. Looking at some domestic rivals, Wuji's DS525 and TRK552 are now priced at more than RMB 40,000. If the NX500 really dares to set the price at RMB 35,000, or even offers a "surprise price" of RMB 33,800, it may really crowd out the stores.

Some people say that Honda is going to "turn the table" this time, but I don't think it is an exaggeration. After all, for a long time, domestic brands have focused on cost-effectiveness but have had an unstable reputation, while imported brands have focused on quality but are ridiculously expensive. The arrival of the NX500 just fits into this gap. It has mature power, sufficient configuration, and friendly price, which suits the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts. That day, I stood next to the show car and smelled the slight smell of new car rubber, and the urge to "want to take a long ride" in my heart was ignited again.

The balance of such a mid-row ADV may really be reset. With a budget range of 30,000 to 40,000 yuan, we finally have a new option that is both satisfying and fun. Especially for those riders who combine commuting and riding, the NX500 is almost tailor-made for them.

I have been thinking about it these days: If it is really sold at a starting price of 35,000, how high are the chances of seeing this car on the road? I am also hesitant whether to prepare for replacement. After all, who doesn’t want a car that is worry-free and can run well?

What do you think? If you could get such a mid-rank ADV for 33,000-35,000, would you be excited? Or are you more concerned about the long-term stability of the electronic clutch? I'd really like to hear what exactly your ideal car needs to satisfy?