2022 TVS iQube Electric Scooter Review

The TVS iQube electric scooter has got updated in 2022, and it now gets increased range, new colours, and more features in the higher variants. The 2022 iQube is currently offered on sale in two variants, the standard and iQube S, with the S variant getting a bigger instrument console with more features and more colour options. The standard variant misses out on some features but still gets more range than before, but still gets more range with a bigger battery pack.

The TVS iQube offers a conventional design, but it still offers one of the most well-rounded electric scooters available on sale right now.

More than two years ago, we first rode the TVS iQube at TVS Motor Company's Hosur manufacturing facility test track, in a controlled environment. Now with more range, we get our hands on the base variant of the new iQube and ride it in everyday conditions, in the city, and over some broken roads to see if it makes for a practical consideration to go electric, as a replacement for a conventional petrol-powered scooter.

Also Read: 2022 TVS iQube Launched With More Range, New Features

Design & Features

The TVS iQube has always been a well-built and well-designed scooter. The design is conventional, not as aggressive as some of the current crop of other electric scooters, but that's not a bad thing. It's well-proportioned, looks neat and the overall design is stylish, without being over-the-top. Look closely, what impresses is the build quality, with superb fit and finish. The wrap around lights along the front apron, and the tail section, lend a hint of modernity, to an otherwise "safe" design.

The TVS iQube is a well-designed and well-built electric scooter. The design may not be very 'futuristic' or radical, but it's a safe and conventional design, which will appeal to a wider audience.

Lights are full LED, and include a LED position lamp, twin LED headlights, LED turn indicators, as well as a LED taillamp which neatly wraps around the tail section bodywork. The 5-inch instrument console on the standard variant is the same as before, and offers a long list of features, including smartphone connectivity, through TVS Motor Company's SmartXonnect system. Through the dedicated mobile app, you can access a long list of handy features, including turn-by-turn navigation, geo-fencing, ride analytics, incoming call alerts side stand indication, battery level and low battery indication, distance to empty, as well as park assist and reverse assist.

The 2022 TVS iQube standard variant still gets the existing 5-inch instrument console. The higher variants, S and ST get a bigger screen with more features and custom theme and colour options.

The standard iQube is now available in three colours, Pearl White, Shining Red and Titanium Grey. Unfortunately, we still get the Pearl White on our test bike. For those seeking a dash of youthful trendiness in their iQube, the S variant offers the choice of four bright shades, including Mint Blue, Lucid Yellow and Copper Bronze Glossy.

This higher variants, the iQube S and iQube ST get more colour options.

The upcoming top-spec ST variant will offer the choice of four more colours, including two in matte finish. Whatever the choice of colour, the iQube certainly comes across as one of the very best electric scooters on sale right now, when it comes to build quality, as well as fit and finish. The design may not be as exciting to many younger customers, but it's something which will appeal to a wider audience, of different demographics.

Maximum claimed range in Eco mode is 100 km on a single charge, and during our test, which included combined use of both Eco and Power modes, the iQube returned adequate range as claimed.

Battery & Range

The iQube now comes with a 3.04 kWh, 52V, IP67-rated lithium-ion battery with increased range. Claimed range in Economy mode is 100 km, while in Power mode range drops to 75 km. The battery packs, the battery management system (BMS), and the controller have been developed in-house by TVS, and the iQube can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in around 4.5 hours with the 650 W charger which needs to be purchased along with the scooter.

For everyday use, the iQube with 100 km range feels like enough for small city runabouts, but the lack of fast charging and a dedicated public charging network is a letdown.

The higher variants have more features, and the top-spec iQube ST, which is yet to be launched, features the maximum range of 140 km on a single charge. The iQube ST also gets the option of a 950 W charger which can be used to charge the scooter in just around 4 hours, while a 1500 W charger can juice up the ST in 0 to 80 per cent in just 2.5 hours.

The battery is IP67 rated, and TVS says the iQube has been tested over a range of different terrain, to make it perform effortlessly. The iQube also comes with a unique architecture which can isolate low and high voltage systems to reduce possible chances of short-circuit, something which will assure customers wary of going electric.

The iQube's hub-mounted electric motor offers maximum speed of 80 kmph. Acceleration is brisk and enough for everyday use within the city.

Performance

Right from the get-go, it becomes apparent that the iQube will not disappoint when it comes to everyday commuting requirements. There's adequate punch from the hub-mounted motor with peak power output of 4.4 kW and claimed acceleration from 0 to 40 kmph is in 4.2 seconds; nothing blisteringly fast, but enough to keep abreast of the regular two-wheeled commuting crowd, and even better some of them.

Also Read: TVS iQube Vs Rivals Specifications Comparison

The TVS iQube has a wide footboard, and a comfortable seat. Ride quality is well-sorted, and handling is quite sharp and accurate.

Claimed maximum speed is 78 kmph, but during our test ride, the instrument console showed us a top speed of 83 kmph once. On an average 79 kmph is achieved quite effortlessly in Power mode. If you're the kind of person who would like to use it occasionally on empty roads for inter-city commutes, you'd probably miss a bit more top-end punch. But overall, for everyday riding in the city, the iQube has enough and more performance really for anyone's requirements.

The TVS iQube has a broad footboard and a wide and comfortable seat. Very good ride quality and sharp handling complements the build quality.

Ride & Handling

But what stands out for the iQube is the way it handles, and its ride quality. It's got a broad footboard, it's got a wide and comfortable seat, the suspension is quite well planted, so you can ride over any kind of surfaces that you may encounter in your everyday riding. The iQube runs of 12-inch wheels, and come with telescopic front forks, a 220 mm front disc brake and twin rear shocks. Ride quality is plush, and if it's comfort one is looking for, the iQube doesn't disappoint.

TVS Motor Company's expertise in motorsports and very good chassis design is apparent in the TVS iQube's handling. The tyres offer very good grip, even when thrown around a corner at speed, and under hard braking.

Even over bad roads, the ride quality doesn't fail to impress; there's no rattling from the body panels, and neither is there a sense of the scooter losing composure. And when you show a corner to the iQube, TVS Motor Company's expertise and experience in very good chassis design certainly shows up. The iQube remains planted and always in control, and the tyres offer superb grip even when leaned over

Variants & Price

In Delhi, the standard variant is priced at under Rs. 1 lakh, but you will have to purchase the charger separately. For just about 10,000 more, you get more colour options, a bigger 7-inch instrument console with more features on the iQube S variant. What would be the variant to look out for is the upcoming TVS iQube ST, with claimed range of 140 km.

In the shift to electric mobility, the TVS iQube offers a well-rounded product, which has adequate performance, decent features, very good build quality, and great dynamics.

Verdict

The TVS iQube certainly makes a strong impression. During our test ride, the range worked as claimed, with a combined use of both Eco and Power it still achieved enough range for everyday use. Without any fast-charging network, we rode the iQube over one day for over 60 km in the city.

With 100 km range, the TVS iQube offers more practicality, but still lacks fast charging and dedicated public charging network.

At the end of the day, the distance to empty still showed 32 km left, and that's with a combined use of both Eco and Power modes. As far as moving to electric mobility is concerned, in the current scheme of things, the iQube certainly is one of the very best electric scooters available on sale right now, possibly even one of the top 5 electric scooters that you can choose.

(Photography: Apoorv Choudhary)