TVS X Review: X Marks The Spot?

Published: Monday, October 30, 2023, 10:30 [IST]

TVS has been one of the early players in the electric scooter game in India with its iQube series. However, for fans of the firm's performance-oriented side, the wait for a TVS electric scooter has been a long one.

That wait finally ended at the base of the world's tallest building, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai in August when TVS launched the X performance scooter.

Now with deliveries a few weeks away, TVS invited us to its Hosur production facility to see what the X is all about. So we headed to Hosur and got into the saddle of the TVS X to find out what it was all about and if it was worth that Rs 2.5 lakh price tag.

TVS X Review: Design & Features - Maximum Attack

The design of the all-new TVS X is as eXciting as it can get for a scooter, especially an electric one. Unlike the dowdy TVS iQube range, the X's looks like the radical Creon concept shown to the world at Auto Expo 2018 come to life in production guise.

The two-piece front apron comes together at the vertically stacked LED headlight. The slender LED turn signals are housed on the lower edges of the front apron. Also seen is a ram air intake that cools down the TVS X's electric motor.

All the lights on the X including the smaller rectangular LEDs that sit on the side panels below the front apron along with the LED taillights and turn indicators are a part of what TVs call LED tech 2.0 which allows for customisable lighting signatures and the complimentary sound profile that accompany them.

The sides of the TVS X show off the other major highlight of the performance scooter - its robust frame. You don't get an actual floorboard, instead large sculpted side panels encase the central spine which is also where you find your charging port for the battery pack.

Also seen are the sporty split seat setup and sections of the TVS X's rear sub-frame which really pops with its bright blue paint job. Other highlights include the 12-inch alloy wheels, the offset rear monoshock and the raked tail section of the TVS X that follows the rear sub-frame.

Once you park your hind end on the seat, you get to the other highlight of the TVS X - the tilting 10.2-inch display that allows you to access everything from the speed and range to ride modes (Xtride, Xonic, and Xtealth), navigation, music, news and your calls and messages.

The display is also where you'll be able to update the TVS X with new features as the electric scooter will get over-the-air (OTA) updates. The SmartXonnect system for the display also allows for features like geofencing, cruise control, crash and fall alert, tow and theft alert, shared digital keys, and more.

In our limited time with the TVS X, we found the interface quite easy to use and while the touch response was a bit below par compared to systems on rivals like the Ather 450X.

As far as the fit and finish go, the TVS X looks to be solidly built with everything from the body panels to the paint finish being top-notch, which is a relief considering the price TVS is asking for the X.

TVS X Review: Specs & Dimensions - The Sportiest Electric TVS To Date

The TVS X is based on the firm's brand new Xeleton platform which is more of something you would find on a motorcycle rather than a scooter.

The Xeleton setup for the TVS X comprises a twin-spar aluminium frame with a lightweight subframe bolted to the rear. The battery pack is hosted by a cradle-type frame while the motor sits under the twin spars.

The battery pack is certainly one of the larger ones fitted to an electric scooter in India. The 4.4kWh battery pack delivers a claimed IDC range of 140 kilometres on a single charge.

The TVS X comes with a 950W portable charger that tops the battery up from 0-80 per cent in four and a half hours. The optional 3kW fast charger can top up the battery from 0 to 50 per cent in just 50 minutes, however, you have to pay an extra Rs 16,275 to get your hands on one.

The battery pack powers a mid-mounted motor. The TVS X's electric motor pushes out 9.3bhp of continuous power. The peak power output is 14.75bhp while the peak torque figure is 40Nm.

TVS claims that the X sprints from 0-40km/h in 2.6 seconds with 60km/h showing up on the display another 1.9 seconds later. The top speed of the TVS X is a claimed 105km/h.

Suspension duties on the TVS X are handled by non-adjustable, telescopic forks at the front and an offset monoshock at the rear. The TVS X rides on 12-inch wheels shod with TVS EuroGrip tyres - 100/80 (front) and 110/80 (rear).

Braking duties on the TVS X are handled by disc brakes on both ends. The hardware includes a 220mm front disc and 195mm rear unit that are aided by single-channel ABS (a first for an electric scooter in India).

TVS X Review: Riding Impressions - Almost A Revolution

On the go, the TVS X is quite an enjoyable scooter to ride. Power delivery is quite linear. However, there is a noticeable difference when you switch from the base Xtealth mode to Xtride and the top-spec Xonic mode. The Xonic is the maddest of the trio and feels rather punchy especially when you're pushing from 40 to 60km/h.

The softer suspension setup of the TVS X is quite comfortable on the go and it deals with the usual glitches like ruts and potholes with ease. The electric TVS X also is no slouch around the turns as it is quite willing to take you through corners.

One gripe is that heavier riders will find that leaning into corners can lead to scraping. A slight increase in the ride height or a slightly stiffer suspension setup should hopefully solve this problem.

The brakes of the TVS X are quite sharp, especially the front, and bring you to a halt quite nicely. However, the ABS setup seems to be a bit on the lazier side as it takes a slight bit of time before activating which is problematic when you panic brake.

At higher speeds, we found the TVS X to be quite stable. Riding at around 80km/h, the X remained straight and stable thanks to the comfortable riding triangle, the excellent chassis and grippy tyres. While the rider's seat is quite comfortable, pillion riders won't appreciate longer rides on the TVS X.

TVS claims that the X will deliver a range of 140 kilometres on a single charge. However, we didn't spend enough time with the TVS X to test this out and is something we'll need at least a few days with the electric scooter to find the answers to.

TVS X Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - X Marks The Spot?

The TVS X sees the firm's Creon concept come to life in an all-electric avatar. However, that price tag of Rs 2.5 lakh is where we find ourselves scratching our heads a bit. Rivals from Ather and Ola offer most of the same tech, similar ranges and familiar quickness on the road for almost a lakh to half a lakh less.

But the TVS X is a halo model for TVS's EV division and it showcases all the tech and go-faster prowess the firm has developed over the years. The quick powertrain, comfortable ride, good riding dynamics, futuristic design and loads of tech make the TVS X an electric scooter that is very hard not to say yes to.