TVS iQube ST review, first ride: Is it worth the high price tag?

India Today

08-05-2025

The time is 2020, the government has shifted its focus to electric mobility, and the front-runners are electric two-wheelers, especially scooters. New players are gaining ground, and expectations from traditional OEMs like TVS and Bajaj were high. Enter the iQube, TVS's answer to the future of the family scooter. It's comfortable and also practical. What did the masses make of it? Let's just sum it up by telling you that the scooter hit the one million unit sales milestone some days back. Now, five years since the first iQube made an appearance, we have the iQube ST, a top-of-the-line variant that aims to take forward the legacy in a market where the Chetak has taken the crown as the best seller. How does it fare, and can it take the iQube back to the top? We find out.
The iQube ST contiues the design legacy of the iQube family.
advertisementDesign of iQube STLet's start with the first aspect you would notice, design. The ST does not radically change the elements the iQube is known for. It does set itself apart, though, with loud 'ST' decals on the front and below the iQube badge on the side. We got to ride the Starlight Blue Glossy colour, which, in my opinion, looks quite mature and premium with its black elements complementing the blue all across the scooter.
The iQubeST has a black panel complementing the blue body, an LED DRL and squircle shaped rear-view mirrors on the front.
The front is dominated by the DRL, headlamps and turn indicators, all of which are powered by LEDs, giving it a sleek, modern look. The rear-view mirrors, however, seem a little out of place with their horizontal, squircle-like design. The rear looks subtle with the taillamp and indicators, also LEDs, along with a Q-Park Assist badge.
The illuminated TVS Electric badge on the power unit gives it a back-to-the-future aesthetic.
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What particularly stood out to me is the TVS Electric badge on the power unit, where the 'Electric' lights up in blue when the scooter is on or plugged for charge. It gives a back-to-the-future aesthetic in a scooter that is generally subtle in its looks. One interesting part of the iQube is the keyfob (looking at you, affordable variants of cars) that has a button to flip open the key and also has a button with a small light on the corner that can be a great addition to find the keyhole in the dark.
The iQube's 7-inch display lets you down when it comes to the user interface.
Features and tech of iQube STOnce you turn the scooter on, take the stand off, and click the start button, there is a pause, as if the iQube is giving you some seconds to plan your day out, after which the display starts up, and you're good to go. Talking of the 7-inch display, TVS could have done a better job with its software. If you are used to the intuitive interfaces of the Olas and Athers, the iQube sure lets you down, reminding one of the old Windows XP times. It can connect with your phone to offer smart features like geofencing, ride data analysis, turn-by-turn navigation (no Google map here), among others. You can control it from the joystick above the left handle and touch.
The iQube ST gets buttons for controls the indicators, ride mode, hazard light and parking mode.
Apart from the joystick, you have your usual buttons like the headlight beam control, indicators and buttons on the left side, along with hazard light, parking mode and mode switch on the left. This mode switch doubles as the ignition switch, which might be a learning curve.
The iQube ST gets a 5.1kWh battery that offers a 150km range.
advertisementPerformance of iQube STTwist the throttle and you instantly get the 33Nm of torque, as expected from an electric. Does it push you back with an acceleration shock? Not really. The iQube is a calmer and tamer version of the electrics we are used to riding. Even in the performance-focused Power mode, the acceleration is linear up to 82kmph. If you prefer the lower riding speeds and higher range, you can shift to the Eco mode. The ride of the iQube is comfortable, as you feel it flow through the rough patches and speed breakers, only having issues on the bigger ones. Something that adds to the comfortable ride is the sound, or lack thereof, from the scooter. It's like you are calmly and silently gliding through the winds. Gliding is the word that accurately describes how the iQube wants to ride, it doesn't want to push too hard or zip through traffic as much. This is well complimented by the seat of the iQube which gets soft cushioning and ample space, making it a good spot for you to be in. The biggest reason that you would want to buy this version of the iQube is the fact that it massively reduces the r ange anxiety you would associate with an electric scooter, as TVS claims you can run it for 150km on the Eco mode and 110km with the 5.1kWh battery in the Power mode before needing a top-up. While these numbers might not be the best of the segment, they should be good even if you have a long daily commmute. After that, you can charge it from 0 to 80 per cent in four hours and eighteen minutes with the onboard charger.
The iQube ST's onboard charger neatly fits into the 32-litre boot, which also offers USB Type-C charging.
advertisementSpeaking of which, I believe that TVS needs to up their game with the charger connector, but the current one feels slightly flimsy and cumbersome when connecting. Once charged, you can store this charger in the 32-litre boot that also offers a USB Type-C charging port. Accessing the boot, though, continues to be via a key mounted on the rear panel, which is quite inconvenient and feels like an ode to the classics. advertisementTo sum up our experience, the iQube ST continues with what makes the iQube a solid offering, with the fundamentals in place. However, the lack of innovation and price compared to the competition has put it slightly behind the brands that drop new features every fortnight.
The iQube scores well on the ride quality and range department but its price tag is hard to justify in the in the fiercely contested electric scooter market.
Verdict on iQube STThe iQube ST keeps the iQube formula of a good ride quality, high range and capable mechanics intact. But it becomes hard to justify its price tag in a market with increasing competition, better tech, and less government support. I look forward to the tech and feature updates TVS brings in its future versions. That said, if you are in the market for a no-nonsense electric family scooter for city commutes, backed by an established marque which does not cause much range anxiety, the iQube ST is a good choice. Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine