Ever since I first rode the Ntorq 150, I was impressed by the balance it strikes between sporty performance and everyday comfort. In fact, it feels like it could genuinely be the only scooter in a household – practical enough for daily commutes yet engaging enough for enthusiastic riders.
On paper, however, the Ntorq 150 misses out on some of the headline features its rivals boast of. The Yamaha Aerox popularised the sporty 150cc scooter formula with its underbone chassis, 14-inch wheels and liquid-cooled engine, and other rivals like the Hero Xoom 160 and Aprilia SR 175 also rely on a similar set up with larger wheels and a stiffer suspension setup. In comparison, the TVS sticks to a more conventional scooter layout with a usable floorboard, 12-inch wheels and no liquid-cooling.
That 12-inch wheel setup is a bit of a double-edged sword. If the manufacturer gets the chassis and suspension balance right, the smaller wheels don’t really feel like a compromise. But if the setup is even slightly off, the blame immediately shifts to the wheel size, especially since larger wheels are naturally associated with better stability and composure. Thankfully, TVS has nailed the balance here. The Ntorq 150 feels planted at speed, confidence-inspiring around corners, and is backed by a suspension setup that remains impressively pliant over bad roads.
Our long-termer arrived with 2,845km already on the odometer, and we’ve since added close to 200km more. So far, it has held up fairly well, although there are a few areas that already show wear.
The TFT display still feels premium and remains one of the highlights of this top-end variant. The graphics are crisp, and the colours pop nicely. However, the switchgear already feels slightly spongy and occasionally requires an extra press to confirm an input, while the TFT screen itself has picked up visible scratches. Also missing are instantaneous and average fuel-efficiency readouts, which feels like an odd omission on such an information-rich display.
Our scooter comes finished in a fluorescent colour scheme, which certainly stands out, although more muted shades would likely appeal to mature buyers too. Another small ergonomic issue comes from the front apron extensions, which can occasionally foul against your knees while getting off the scooter if you are not mindful – something taller riders, including my 6ft frame, are more likely to notice.
Despite missing out on some flashy hardware on paper, the Ntorq 150’s balance of ride quality, handling and everyday usability has genuinely impressed us so far.
With the Mumbai rains around the corner, the coming months of this long-term test should reveal how well the scooter continues to hold up in harsher conditions.
Dinshaw Magol
Soham Thakur
Autocar India News Desk
