Ather Rizta vs TVS iQube
India’s electric scooter market is witnessing an unprecedented boom, and two heavyweights are battling for supremacy in the family scooter segment. The Ather Rizta, launched by the premium electric mobility brand Ather Energy, goes head-to-head with TVS Motor’s iQube, one of India’s bestselling electric scooters. Both promise cutting-edge technology, impressive range, and practical features designed for Indian families. But which one deserves your money? Let’s dive deep into this comprehensive comparison.
The Contenders: Different Philosophies, Same Goal
The Ather Rizta represents Ather’s first foray into the family scooter segment, moving away from its sporty 450 series to cater to a broader audience seeking comfort, practicality, and space. Meanwhile, the TVS iQube has been continuously refined since its launch and has established itself as a reliable, tech-savvy option with multiple battery variants to suit different needs and budgets.
Both scooters target families looking for zero-emission commuting without compromising on features, performance, or convenience. They bring distinct strengths to the table, making the choice more nuanced than simply picking the “best” one.
Price Comparison: Value for Your Investment
Pricing is often the deciding factor for Indian buyers, and both manufacturers offer multiple variants to cater to different budgets. The Ather Rizta starts at approximately Rs. 1.10 lakh and goes up to Rs. 1.56 lakh depending on the variant and battery pack chosen. The TVS iQube is priced starting from Rs. 94,434, with its premium variants reaching around Rs. 1.09 lakh.
The TVS iQube has a distinct advantage in the entry-level segment, offering more affordable options for budget-conscious buyers. However, the Rizta’s pricing becomes competitive when comparing similar battery capacities and feature sets. The price difference narrows considerably when you match variants with comparable specifications.
It’s worth noting that both manufacturers offer Battery as a Service (BaaS) options, allowing you to purchase the scooter at a lower upfront cost while paying a monthly subscription for battery usage. This innovative approach makes electric mobility more accessible to a wider audience.
Range Wars: How Far Can You Go?
Range anxiety remains a primary concern for electric vehicle buyers, and both manufacturers have addressed this with impressive numbers. The Ather Rizta offers two battery pack options: a 2.9 kWh battery providing 123 km range and a larger 3.7 kWh battery delivering an impressive 160 km on a single charge.
The TVS iQube counters with three battery options across its variants. The base 2.2 kWh variant offers 94 km range, the mid-tier 3.5 kWh option provides 145 km, and the top-spec iQube ST with its massive 5.3 kWh battery pack claims an outstanding 212 km range per charge.
For pure range capability, the TVS iQube ST emerges as the clear winner with its segment-leading 212 km range that eliminates range anxiety almost entirely. However, for most urban commuters, the Rizta’s 160 km range is more than sufficient for several days of city riding.
The iQube’s multiple battery options provide greater flexibility, allowing buyers to choose exactly the range they need without overpaying for capacity they won’t use.
Performance and Power: The Riding Experience
Performance characteristics reveal interesting differences in how these scooters have been tuned. The Ather Rizta is powered by a 4.3 kW PMSM motor with a peak power output of 6.4 kW. This delivers brisk acceleration and a top speed of 80-90 km/h depending on the variant, making it suitable for both city commutes and occasional highway runs.
The TVS iQube features a BLDC motor delivering peak power of 4.4 kW with peak torque of 140 Nm. The top speed varies by battery variant, ranging from 75 km/h for the base model to 78 km/h for the higher variants.
In real-world riding, the Ather Rizta feels slightly more spirited with quicker acceleration from standstill, characteristic of Ather’s performance-oriented DNA. The iQube, while not as aggressive, offers smooth, linear power delivery that many family riders prefer for its predictability and ease of use.
Both scooters handle typical Indian road conditions admirably, with adequate power for overtaking in traffic and climbing steep inclines without losing momentum significantly.
Charging Time: Convenience Factor
Charging infrastructure and time are critical considerations for electric scooter ownership. The Ather Rizta takes approximately 8.3 hours to fully charge its 2.9 kWh battery using a standard home charger. The larger 3.7 kWh battery requires about 5.45 hours for a complete charge with Ather’s fast charger.
The TVS iQube offers more impressive charging times, with the ability to charge from 0-80% in just 4 hours and 18 minutes using the standard portable charger. The iQube also features automatic power cut-off after reaching 100% charge, protecting battery longevity.
Additionally, Ather provides access to its extensive Ather Grid fast charging network across major cities, allowing Rizta owners to quickly top up their batteries during longer journeys. TVS, while having fewer dedicated fast-charging stations, has partnered with various charging networks to expand accessibility.
For overnight charging, both scooters work perfectly well with regular home charging. The iQube’s faster charging becomes advantageous when you need to charge multiple times in a day or forgot to charge overnight.
Design and Build: Aesthetics Meet Functionality
Design is subjective, but both scooters bring distinct visual personalities. The Ather Rizta sports a modern, flowing design with a longer wheelbase and spacious proportions that emphasize its family-oriented nature. It’s available in 10 vibrant color options, giving buyers plenty of personalization choices.
The TVS iQube maintains a more conventional scooter silhouette but with contemporary touches like LED lighting and clean body panels. It’s offered in 3-6 color options depending on the variant, focusing on sophisticated, timeless hues.
The Rizta measures slightly longer and wider than the iQube, translating to better stability at speed and more spacious seating. With 165 mm ground clearance, it handles speed bumps and poor road conditions confidently. The iQube, while compact, offers excellent maneuverability in tight city traffic.
Build quality on both scooters feels premium, with tight panel gaps and robust construction that inspires confidence in long-term durability.
Features and Technology: Smart Riding Experience
Both manufacturers have packed impressive technology into these scooters. The Ather Rizta comes with Ather’s renowned connected features including smartphone connectivity, navigation, over-the-air updates, multiple riding modes, and comprehensive ride statistics through the Ather app. The digital instrument cluster is large, bright, and information-rich.
The TVS iQube counters with its own smart features including a touchscreen display on premium variants, voice assist functionality, connected app with SmartXonnect technology, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, document storage, and incoming call/SMS alerts. The iQube also offers unique features like reverse mode and social distancing alert.
In terms of pure technological sophistication, Ather maintains a slight edge with its more mature software ecosystem and frequent updates that continuously add features and improvements. However, TVS has closed the gap significantly, and the iQube’s voice assist and touchscreen interface are genuinely useful additions.
Storage and Practicality: Family-Friendly Features
Practicality matters immensely for family scooters, and both deliver admirably. The Ather Rizta offers generous underseat storage capable of accommodating a full-face helmet and additional items. It also features a front apron storage compartment with a phone holder and USB charging port.
The TVS iQube provides 32 liters of underseat storage, which is among the best in the segment. This cavernous space can easily fit two half-face helmets or one full-face helmet with room to spare. The iQube also offers front storage with USB charging.
The Rizta’s longer wheelbase translates to a more comfortable riding position and better pillion space, making it ideal for two-up riding on longer journeys. The iQube, being more compact, is easier to maneuver in tight parking spaces.
Both scooters feature comfortable, well-padded seats designed for long hours in traffic. The suspension setup on both handles typical Indian road conditions well, though the Rizta’s longer wheelbase provides slightly better stability over rough patches.
Safety and Braking: Confidence Inspiring
Safety features include disc brakes at both ends on both scooters, with CBS (Combined Braking System) ensuring balanced stopping power. Both scooters also feature LED lighting all around for better visibility.
The Ather Rizta includes additional safety features through its connected ecosystem, including anti-theft alerts, fall detection, and geo-fencing capabilities. The TVS iQube offers anti-theft alarm, automatic headlamps, and speed limit alerts.
Both scooters inspire confidence during emergency braking situations, with progressive brake feel and good feedback through the levers.
Ownership Experience: After-Sales and Support
Ather has built a strong reputation for customer service with its experience centers in major cities. The Ather community is active and engaged, and the company’s transparency regarding software updates and improvements has earned customer loyalty.
TVS leverages its extensive service network across India, making maintenance and repairs more accessible, especially in smaller towns and cities where Ather doesn’t have a presence yet. This widespread service availability is a significant advantage for buyers concerned about after-sales support.
Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
The Ather Rizta makes compelling sense if you prioritize performance, cutting-edge technology, frequent software updates, and a more spacious, stable ride. It’s ideal for families who want a premium experience and don’t mind paying slightly more for Ather’s brand value and technology leadership.
The TVS iQube is the smarter choice if you want better range options, faster charging times, more affordable entry prices, and the peace of mind that comes with TVS’s extensive service network. The iQube ST variant with its 212 km range is particularly attractive for those who do longer commutes or want to eliminate range anxiety completely.
The Final Word
Both scooters represent excellent choices in India’s electric scooter market. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific priorities: Do you value maximum range and extensive service network? Choose the TVS iQube. Do you prioritize technology, performance, and premium brand experience? The Ather Rizta is your answer.
Either way, you’re choosing a zero-emission future that benefits both your wallet and the environment. Test ride both scooters if possible, as subjective factors like riding position, ergonomics, and how the scooter “feels” matter more than specifications suggest. The electric revolution is here, and both the Ather Rizta and TVS iQube are worthy torchbearers leading India toward cleaner, smarter mobility.
Whichever you choose, you’ll be joining millions of Indian families making the switch to electric, reducing pollution, saving on fuel costs, and enjoying the smooth, silent performance that makes electric scooters such a joy to ride in city traffic. The future is electric, and it’s arriving faster than anyone imagined.
