At ₹1.85 lakh, does the new TVS iQube ST with a 5.1 kWh battery pack enough value for its price?
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The newly launched TVS iQube ST is the brand’s top-spec model, which has been in the works for nearly two years. After much anticipation, it finally happened and came bearing a ridiculously high price tag of ₹1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Its primary rivals, the Ather Rizta Z and the Ola S1 Pro bear far lower asking prices. Does the iQube still make sense?
TVS iQube ST vs Ather Rizta Z vs Ola S1 Pro: Battery And Powertrain
Specifications
TVS iQube ST
Ather Rizta Z
Ola S1 Pro
Battery
5.1 kWh
3.7 kWh
4 kWh
Electric Motor (Peak Power)
4.4 kWh
4.3 kW
11 kW
0-40 kmph
4.5 seconds
4.7 seconds
2.6 seconds
Top Speed
82 kmph
80 kmph
120 kmph
The TVS iQube ST edges past its competition with the largest battery pack in the segment. But that takes a toll on its weight too (more on that later). Even though, it is marginally quicker than the top-spec Ather Rizta Z, but nowhere close to being as zippy and energetic as the Ola S1 Pro. It not only accelerates from 0-40 kmph quicker than the other two, but with a top speed of 120 kmph it is also the fastest in the segment.
TVS iQube ST vs Ather Rizta Z vs Ola S1 Pro: Range And Charging Time
Specifications
TVS iQube ST
Ather Rizta Z
Ola S1 Pro
Battery Capacity
5.1 kWh
3.7 kWh
4 kWh
Range (Real World Range)
150 km
125 km
135 km
Charging Time (0-80 per cent)
4 hours 18 minutes (950W)
4 hours 30 minutes (700W)
6 hours 30 minutes (750W)
The TVS iQube ST is quite a practical option in this regard. Despite the biggest battery among the two, it takes the least amount of time to get charged, courtesy of its larger 950W charger. And while the Ola S1 Pro gets a more powerful charger than the Ather Rizta Z, it doesn’t help its case with quicker charge time.
TVS iQube ST vs Ather Rizta Z vs Ola S1 Pro: Dimensions
Specifications
TVS iQube ST
Ather Rizta Z
Ola S1 Pro
Length
1805 mm
1850 mm
1861 mm
Width
645 mm
750 mm
850 mm
Height
1140 mm
1140 mm
1288 mm
Kerb Weight
129.7 kg
119 kg
116 kg
Ground Clearance
157 mm
165 mm
160 mm
Seat Height
770 mm
780 mm
738 mm
Underseat Storage Space
32-litres
34-litres
34-litre
While dimensionally, the Ola S1 Pro reads bigger on paper in reality it is the most compact-looking scooter of the two. Both the Ather Rizta Z and the TVS iQube get quite a sizeably large seat, while the Ola S1 Pro due to its compact structure suffers from a smaller seat. Moreover, Ather has also provided several clever luggage space options, like its 20-litre Frunk space which is a separate bag that you can place inside the front apron. With the biggest battery pack, the TVS iQube ST is not just the heaviest in the segment but also has less ground clearance. However, it should be noted here that in the real world, it doesn’t create much of a difference.
TVS iQube ST vs Ather Rizta Z vs Ola S1 Pro: Features
Being the top-spec models of their line-up, all three come loaded to the brim with features. So, for starters, all three get an LED lighting system, and the instrument cluster is an all-digital 7-inch unit in all three as well. All three also support Bluetooth connectivity via smartphone, along with the call/SMS alert, music control. However, the Ather Rizta Z takes things further by integrating Google maps, WhatsApp preview on Dash, and auto-reply to calls. Additionally, while tyre pressure monitoring system is available as standard with both the iQube ST and Ather Rizta Z, it is not available as an option with the Ola S1 Pro at all. However, performance-wise, Ola has retained all three ride modes - Hyper, Eco and Sport – with the S1 Pro. But the Ather and TVS have been tuned to be economical, so both make do with just two ride modes.
TVS iQube ST vs Ather Rizta Z vs Ola S1 Pro: Verdict
Specifications
TVS iQube ST
Ather Rizta Z
Ola S1 Pro
Ex-showroom Price (Delhi)
₹1.85 lakh
₹1.47 lakh (₹20,000 more for the Pro Pack)
₹1.30 lakh
There’s no question that the Ola comes across as the best package on paper and the asking price is just too good to skip on. Mind you, it has not been fault-free and we have consistently faced quite a few glitches and electric maladies on our test units. Plus, the customer complaints department at Ola are bombarded daily with issues. So, weigh your chances.
In that regard, the Rizta Z 3.7 kWh comes across as a rather well-rounded package amongst the three. It is spacious, and roomy and has quite a lot of safety tech on offer. Yes, the performance is modest and the range is the lowest in this company, but Ather’s dependability and honest riding experience is unmatched.
We are disappointed by the TVS iQube ST trim. The iQube S is perhaps our favourite family electric scooter so far that we have ridden. However, the near-₹ 2 lakh asking price cannot be digested.
Hence, if you were looking at a good family e-scooter at a reasonable price with a no nonsense riding experience, take a look at the TVS iQube S.