The VX2 is the latest offering from Hero’s electric arm, Vida. This affordable electric scooter was earlier available with just 2.2kWh and 3.4kWh battery pack options, but now, the brand has launched a 4.4kWh version. Here we see how it compares with its competitors, on paper, in terms of range, charging time and features.
Vida VX2 4.4kWh vs rivals: Electric motor, battery and charging
The VX2 is the only one to come with removable battery packs
The Vida VX2 has the highest claimed IDC range here and is also among the quickest scooters in this comparison, with a claimed top speed of 90kph that it shares with the River Indie. The River, meanwhile, produces the highest peak motor output, while the TVS iQube S leads on battery capacity with a 4.7kWh battery pack and also claims the highest rated torque at 33Nm.
The Vida stands out as the only scooter here to feature twin removable battery packs, whereas all its rivals use fixed batteries. In terms of charging, the Bajaj Chetak C3501 has the shortest claimed 0-80 percent charging time at 3 hours, narrowly ahead of the Vida’s 3 hours and 17 minutes, while the Ather Rizta and River Indie take longer at 4.5 hours and 5 hours, respectively.
Vida VX2 4.4kWh vs rivals: Dimensions and underpinnings
The TVS iQube has the most accessible seat height
The River Indie has the longest wheelbase in this comparison, which lends it greater straight-line stability. It also has the tallest seat height, while the iQube has the most accessible seat height. In terms of ground clearance, the Rizta leads the pack, followed closely by the River Indie.
The VX2 and iQube S offer comparatively lower ground clearance figures. The VX2 is also the lightest scooter here, followed by the Bajaj Chetak C3501 that gets a full-metal body. The River Indie is the heaviest despite shedding weight compared to its ‘Gen-2’ model.
Vida VX2 4.4kWh vs rivals: Suspension, brakes and tyres
The River Indie is the only one to run on 14-inch wheels
In terms of hardware, the VX2 and Rizta use a telescopic fork and monoshock setup, while the iQube S and Indie pair a telescopic fork with twin rear shock absorbers. The C3501 is the only scooter here to feature a leading-link front suspension. Braking duties are handled by a front disc and rear drum setup on all scooters except the River Indie, which stands out with disc brakes at both ends but gets a combined braking system, much like the others here. The River also distinguishes itself by running on larger 14-inch wheels that lend it greater stability and a more imposing stance, while the rest use 12-inch wheels with tubeless tyres.
Vida VX2 4.4kWh vs rivals: Features
The River Indie is the only one here to get an LCD dash.
The five scooters differ considerably in terms of features and charging hardware. Both the Bajaj Chetak 3501 and River Indie feature on-board chargers, allowing them to be plugged directly into a standard wall socket without the need for a separate charging unit. The TVS iQube S and Ather Rizta use off-board chargers, while the Hero Vida VX2’s removable battery packs can be charged either on or off the scooter, making it the most versatile here. Beyond this, the scooters differ in terms of display type, smartphone connectivity, navigation, keyless functionality, reverse mode and other convenience features. The River Indie stands out with the largest underseat storage of 43 litres.
Vida VX2 4.4kWh vs rivals: Price
The iQube S is the most expensive of the lot
While all the scooters listed here, barring the River Indie, are also available in variants with smaller battery packs, lower claimed ranges and lower prices, we have only considered the versions compared here. The Ather Rizta Z is the most affordable scooter in this comparison, undercutting the Vida VX2 4.4kWh and Bajaj Chetak 3501 by a comfortable margin. The Chetak and Vida are almost identically priced, with just Rs 1,000 separating the two. At the upper end of the spectrum, the River Indie commands a noticeable premium over these scooters, while the TVS iQube S is the most expensive offering here at Rs 1.57 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). It is also worth noting that the Rizta packs the smallest battery in this comparison, although it is the largest battery option available in its range. The River Indie, meanwhile, sets itself apart with its larger dimensions and segment-leading underseat storage, making it the most utilitarian scooter of the lot.
Vishal Venugopal
Autocar India News Desk
Rishaad Mody
Dinshaw Magol
