Ather 450S Review: The Affordable Electric Scooter To Get

Ather has priced the 450S at a competitive Rs 1,29,999 (Ex-showroom Bangalore). 

• In terms of hardware, there’s a 2.9kWh battery pack enabling a 90km real world range. 
• Even the motor is a less powerful one albeit with the same top speed. 
• That said, the 450S is largely unchanged when compared to the 450X. 

Over the past five years of the Ather 450X's presence in the market, the electric two-wheeler industry has undergone significant transformations. Two particularly influential shifts include the notable augmentation of the FAME-II subsidy in 2021, followed by its recent reduction a few months ago. 

As a consequence of the latest subsidy adjustment, the Ather 450X, acknowledged for its established performance albeit its higher cost, encountered further escalation in its price. To counteract this situation, Ather has introduced the new 450S, aiming to provide a familiar Ather experience while offering a more affordable price point.

Ather 450S: Design & Features

At first glance, the 450S bears a striking resemblance to the 450X, and this similarity is actually a positive aspect from our perspective. All exterior panels remain identical to those of the X model, with the only noticeable visual distinction being the black plastic component encircling the headlight. 

This element has now adopted the same color as the rest of the scooter, deviating from the all-black covering seen on the X. Ather has effectively retained the satisfyingly robust construction quality, which is certainly advantageous, particularly for a more budget-conscious offering.

The "450S" emblem on the side panels is rather understated and may require close proximity and active observation to discern. Nevertheless, Ather positions these variants more as different iterations of the same underlying platform rather than entirely distinct model lines. This design continuity is understandable, given the significant shared traits beneath the surface as well.

Ather 450S: Motor & Range

The primary factor contributing to the enhanced affordability of the 450S is its utilization of a smaller 2.9kWh battery pack. This stands in contrast to the 3.7kWh battery pack that has been featured in the 450X for approximately the past year. 

Ather states an initial distance coverage (IDC) range of 115km for the 450S and indicates that in real-world scenarios, the scooter should manage 90km in SmartEco mode, which slightly decreases to 70km when switched to the more dynamic Sport mode. In comparison, the 450X boasts a Turnage of 105km in SmartEco mode. 

We intend to verify these assertions when we have the opportunity to test the 450S. However, Ather typically proves accurate in its range estimations, and during our test shoot, we managed to cover approximately 75km on a full charge, primarily employing the Sport and Ride modes.

Ather 450S: Chassis

Although not as potent as the 450X, the 450S exhibits commendable swiftness, particularly when engaged in its brisk Sport mode. Its maximum speed of 90kph matches that of the X, facilitating brief stretches on highways with reasonable comfort. Ather has additionally fine-tuned the throttle mapping for Eco and Ride modes, resulting in a smoother and more gradual response. This adjustment aims to assist those who are new to electric vehicles in adapting more effortlessly to the power delivery.

It's important to note that, akin to the 450X, taller riders might still experience a slightly constricted sensation, particularly during U-turns. Moreover, the ride quality retains an underlying firmness.

Ather 450S: Dimensions

The Ather 450S remains a delightfully compact scooter to zip through traffic in the city. It’s narrow, slim and very agile, meaning direction changes are quick and you can cut through traffic almost effortlessly. Plus with all that torque on offer, aiming for the narrow openings between cars and sliding through them, even in peak hour traffic is incredibly easy. 

Ather has still kept the 450S’ sweet handling DNA very much alive. 

Ather 450S: Price

Ather has priced the 450S at a rather enticing Rs 1.30 lakh, ex-showroom Bangalore. 

Verdict

This leads us to the fundamental query: is the Ather 450S a worthy purchase? The unequivocal answer is a definite yes. Ather has skillfully crafted a more economical 450 model that remarkably avoids any sense of compromise. 

Each measure taken to reduce costs has been executed seamlessly, giving no impression that the scooter was engineered with a strict budget constraint. Impressively, all of this has been achieved without deviating from the core essence of what the Ather 450X has consistently represented: a performance-focused scooter characterized by adept handling, guaranteed to elicit a profound smile on your face with every ride.