2022 TVS iQube vs Ather 450X: Comparison Review

The TVS iQube is the first EV from a legacy manufacturer, that is TVS Motor Company. A company known for its well-engineered two-wheelers. And the Ather 450X is a flagship product of Ather Energy, an electric vehicle start-up which has gone on to set new benchmarks in the EV segment, known to be a reliable and well-engineered product with all the features that you can expect from a contemporary EV. So, we set the stage for a fun comparison of the two. Both these scooters, are they equally matched in terms of performance practicality and comfort? Or is there a different story here to tell? Well, that's what we are about to find out!

Also Read: 2022 TVS iQube Review

Technical Specifications

Let's talk about the TVS iQube first. It was recently updated, and we had the base variant of the scooter with us which only gets extended range of up to 100 km instead of 75 km earlier and TVS says that the figure is real-world. And the battery pack size goes up from 2.25 kWh on the older model to 3.04 kWh on the new model. The Ather 450X has been around for over a year now. It gets a 2.9 kWh battery pack with true range of 85 km in the eco mode. That's about 15 km less than the iQube. So, on paper, the TVS iQube gets a bigger battery and more range.

Design

(Yes, design is subjective! The TVS is well-built, has a handsome design and has broader appeal, while the Ather 450X is sportier, sexier and its design will sit well with the youth)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

The TVS iQube since its launch, has been available in just one colour, white. Now, TVS iQube standard and the TVS iQube are now available in a variety of colours but as luck would have it, we still have the white colour test scooter. In addition to white, the base variant of the iQube now gets 'Shining Red' and 'Titanium Grey' colours. While the design might seem 'safe' to some people, we like how the iQube looks. Not only is it a handsome looking scooter, but also offers a much wider appeal than the Ather 450X. Adding to that is the top-notch build quality and excellent fit and finish.

(We particularly like the 'Mint Green' colour on the Ather 450X that is seen on our test scooter)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

On the other hand, it is the Ather 450X which is easily the sexier, sportier looking scooter. The exposed frame under the seat, futuristic design and the sharp lines lend this nice, hip look to the 450X. The colours on offer are nice too and we particularly like the colour our test scooter came in, which is the Mint Green.

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.

Yes! Design is subjective and we are not trying to be politically correct here. Preetam is fond of the way the iQube looks and my preference leans towards the 450X, could it have something to with our age? One never knows.

Technology and Features

(The Ather 450X gets a 7-inch colour TFT touchscreen with SIM-based connectivity and in-built navigation)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

With the update, the TVS iQube gets a bunch of nice technology, but the catch is that none of it is available on the base variant that we had for our review. There's a 5-inch colour TFT display on the TVS along with Bluetooth connectivity and features like geo-fencing, turn-by-turn navigation etc. There's also a USB charger and full LED lighting along with two riding modes - Eco and Power. TVS also offers a low-speed reverse assist feature on the iQube as well.

(The base variant of the TVS iQube gets a 5-inch TFT screen but it isn't touchscreen. It too gets Bluetooth connectivity and a host of other features)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

But it is the Ather 450X which easily has the upper hand when it comes to features. It gets SIM-based connectivity, that means a whole of connectivity features. Then there's a 7-inch full colour TFT touchscreen as standard. In-built navigation and full LED lighting along with a reverse assist and over-the-air updates too. Optionally, you also get tyre pressure monitoring system on the Ather 450X.

Performance and Dynamics

(The Ather 450X trumps the TVS iQube in terms of outright performance)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

On the move, the Ather clearly has the edge in performance. It has more riding modes, it has eco, ride, it has sport and a performance-oriented warp mode, which will possibly outdo many petrol-powered scooters in terms of sheer initial acceleration. It is really, really quick off the line. it certainly has dollops of performance to overshadow the iQube. But if you're looking for a relaxed and calm outing with your electric scooter, it's the iQube, which offers a sedate and comfortable experience. The iQube is also a smooth performer but it focusses more on rider comfort than outright performance.

(The Ather 450X is sharp, quick and a hoot to ride in the city)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

If you compare the claimed 0-40 kmph acceleration run, the Ather 450X is almost a second quicker than the iQube. But on the other hand, if you keep the performance bit aside, the iQube seems to have a more planted feel, a better ride quality and plush suspension. Even in corners, the iQube feels much more planted, giving you much more confidence.

(The TVS iQube offers a plush, comfortable ride and feels more planted than the Ather 450X)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

Going with its sporty character, the Ather certainly has the dynamics to back it, but show it some bad roads, or no roads, and it becomes evident that the stiff ride quality is the chink in its armour. The iQube, on the other hand, offers a well-damped and comfortable ride experience, even over dirt roads. It gets a wider footboard which means you sit more comfortably, the seat is broader and the suspension, the ride quality like we said before, is impeccable. The iQube trumps the Ather on many counts over a wide variety of surfaces.

(Both scooters are excellent handling machine, but it is the TVS with its TVS tyres that offers more confidence going around a corner)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

The Ather comes with MRF tyres and the iQube gets TVS tyres and it is the TVS tyres which are grippier and gives you more confidence when you are taking corners. Both scooters are decent handlers but if you absolutely must go fast around a corner, you will feel more at ease astride the iQube.

(In terms of overall riding dynamics, the TVS trumps the Ather 450X)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

The braking on the iQube is sharper, better and much more progressive than the 450X. That's not to say that the brakes on the Ather 450X are not good, they are good and have got good bite, but the brakes on the Ather 450X are rear biased. If you use the left lever, the rear brake tends to lock up a lot more. But with the iQube, you get sure-shot stopping power.

Charging

As far as charging times are concerned, the 450X takes less time to charge than the iQube. From zero, the 450X takes about 3 hours and 35 mins to charge fully on the Ather Dot, while the TVS takes up to 4 hours 30 minutes to charge fully with a 650-watt charger. Now, the strange fact is that the charger does not come bundled with the iQube and one must purchase it separately for about Rs. 9,450.

(The Ather 450X takes lesser time to charge from naught to full, in about three and a half hours)
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

Ather also has the Ather Grid network to juice up your scooter. Currently, Ather grid has more than 350 charging points in 30 cities across India. The system charges the Ather electric scooters at a rate of 1.5 km per minute until the scooter is 80 per cent full. TVS on the other hand does not quite have a charging network of its own, but the showrooms where the iQube is sold, do have a charging point. Else, one must charge through regular home charging or a public charger.

The standard model of the TVS iQube that we tested has an on-road price of Rs. 99,130 after FAME-II and state subsidy while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs. 1,44,051, which is the on-road price in Delhi after all subsidies. So, there is a difference of about Rs. 35,471 between the on-road prices of the two.

Verdict

If you look at the current electric scooter segment, you have to really hand it to Ather Energy for creating the benchmark that the Ather 450X provides. Great performance, fantastic features, build quality, navigation touch screen instrument console and of course a youthful design. Overall, we think this is a well-rounded product that should be on your consideration if you are in the market for an electric scooter right now. It offers great performance, looks good and has all the features that you need and on top of that, you have the Ather Grid network, so if you are riding in the city, running out of power, you can just go to any of the Ather grid charging points and charge up, have a cup of coffee while you are waiting.

(Both scooters make for an excellent purchase, if you are in the market for an electric scooter with decent features and range
Photo Credit: Apoorv Choudhary

But, if you are looking for an electric scooter, which is more practical, comfortable and gives you peace of mind when you are on the move, then it is the TVS iQube. It is a handsome looking scooter, moves well, smooth performance and has the better ride quality of the two. Plush suspension, good build quality and as far as pricing is concerned, iQube is priced less too, by a decent margin. So, if you are looking at the overall package, both of them have their pros and cons, so it is up you, the customer, who chooses which design and which features he/she wants to go with. In our opinion, both scooters make for an excellent purchase if you are in the market for an electric scooter with decent range and features. The TVS iQube is the more practical of the two, with better range and comfort, while the Ather 450X offers explosive performance and a host of features for the tech geek in you.