TVS iQube S Road Test Review: Likes And Dislikes

TVS entered the modern EV space with the iQube Electric. While it was a commendable product, the Hosur-based bikemaker saw some scope for improvement, and for 2022, the company blessed the electric scooter with a host of updates, including the introduction of new variants to help the EV to better stack up against more modern electric scooters. We got our hands on the mid-spec TVS iQube S, and after having spent considerable amount of time with it, here are our thoughts:

Likes:

Access to torque at all times

The iQube S comes with only to riding modes - Eco and Power, and unlike most modern electric scooters that restrict the peak torque output to a certain extent in Eco mode, the iQube seems to have been tuned in such a way that you still have access to most of the e-scooter’s torque at the twist of the throttle irrespective of the mode you are in. 

While the Eco mode restricts the top speed to 45kmph, the torque delivery is still strong enough to let you climb over steep inclines with ease. Folks living in hilly areas will find this e-scooter an absolute delight because of its torquey nature. Switching to power mode just hastens the way the torque is delivered. You don’t have to twist the throttle as hard to achieve a decent cruising speed. Additionally, it also allows you to reach a higher top speed, a speedo-indicated 86kmph in my case.

Consistent performance

Another major aspect that we loved about the iQube was the way the power delivery is consistent, even at very low battery levels. The BMS and motor have been tweaked in such a way that it does not reduce performance all that much even when the charge goes down. We were able to go on uphill roads at a decent pace even when the battery was at 15 percent and decreasing. 

The electric hub motor has enough grunt to sustain speeds of around 60-65kmph on the highways. Once you nudge past 70kmph, you could feel the performance levels drop. That said, I was able to hit around 85kmph over longer sections of the road. All in all, it offers performance equivalent to that of a 110cc petrol-powered scooter. 

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As for the regenerative braking, it isn’t gradual and tends to get stronger as the scooter slows down. You’ll just have to get used to it, and once you master the way it works, you won’t have to use the brakes as much. Moreover, there’s a sweet spot in the throttle when it’s partially opened while the regen kicks in. This ensures it doesn’t lose momentum, while at the same time continues harnessing energy while the e-scooter goes downhill. While the claimed real-world range is 100km in Eco mode, we were able to clock 114.76km in the same mode in real-world city conditions. Honestly, this kind of range is enough for most of the users provided they have a charging point at home.

Solid build quality and comfortable ride quality

As expected from any mainstream manufacturer worth its salt, the iQube’s build quality is brilliant. The panels on the iQube feel solid and there’s not a hint of rattle while going over bad roads. 

The telescopic fork and twin preload adjustable rear shock absorbers have been tuned to handle everyday commutes well. So it irons out bumps without any complaints. That said, the rear suspension tends to rebound harshly out while going over sharp bumps. However, this tendency can be mitigated by adjusting the preload manually. Oh, and you can do so without using tools, so that’s convenient. The braking and the grip from the tyres are good enough for a commuter scooter. The feedback from the lever feels great and the front disc quickly brings the e-scooter to a halt. Mind you, there’s no ABS, so you’ll still have to modulate braking in times of emergencies.

Meh bits:

Misses out on the ‘Wow’ factor when it comes to performance

While iQube S offers adequate performance for everyday commutes, it doesn’t really have the ‘Wow’ factor. There’s simply no drama as the motor pulls in absolute silence. But then, this is not really a deal breaker as the iQube is meant to be a commuter-oriented family scooter, and it does that job perfectly well. If going stealth mode is your thing, then the iQube will keep you happy.

Simple design

For a futuristic EV, the iQube looks rather underwhelming. Its boxy design is done well without looking too dated, but it doesn’t grab your attention the way the Ola or Ather do. The iQube can easily blend in with the run-of-the-mill petrol-powered scooters, especially in its duller colours. We’d have liked it if the S variant came in Red and a few other brighter colours in addition to the already existing yellow scheme.

Dislikes:

Inconsistent DTE readouts

While the battery level indicator feels consistent, the data in the Distance To Empty readout isn’t. On turning on the electric scooter with a full battery, the range shown in power mode was significantly higher than what was shown in Eco mode. That said, the Eco mode readout stabilises after covering a few kilometres. The issue is that the sample size taken to calculate the DTE readings is too small, so it fluctuates considerably, depending on the terrain. The range drastically drops while going uphill whereas it shows unrealistic numbers while free-wheeling downhill. An OTA software update could easily fix this.

Underseat storage not large enough

TVS claims a 17-litre underseat storage in the iQube S variant. Now that itself isn’t generous enough. Add to the fact that in case you carry the chunky charger with you in there, you aren’t left with a lot of space. Moreover, the boot space isn’t illuminated, so you’ll have to rely on the tiny LED light that’s inbuilt on the keyfob.

Small UI niggles

While the rest of the switchgear is built to last, the four-way joystick feels flimsy. Oh, and the Q-Park button on the right switchgear tends to get stuck. We couldn’t test the reverse function properly because of this.

While the data on the instrument cluster is well laid out and all the information is visible in one quick glance, the menu UI could’ve been simpler, particularly to reset the tripmeters. Also, we wish TVS had equipped the e-scooter with proper map-based navigation instead of the turn-by-turn system its got. Considering it already has a TFT screen, even smartphone screen mirroring capability would’ve made it extremely functional.

Verdict

Summing up, TVS iQube does a brilliant job for all intents and purposes. It packs a decent range, offers adequate performance for intra-city rides, and is functional enough to justify being a modern electric scooter. Sure, there are a few chinks in its armour, but nothing really deal-breaking. Most of its niggles such as the UI and DTE issues can be ironed out via software updates. All in all, I could say with confidence that the TVS iQube S ticks all the right boxes, and is indeed the Jupiter of electric scooters.