Ather 450X Review: Sporty, Feature-packed and a LOT of fun!

After its latest update, the Ather 450X is now a definitely more wholesome product, better-equipped to take on its rivals.

• With 6kW of peak power, the Ather 450X can go from 0-40kmph in 3.3 seconds.
• It now packs a 3.7kWh battery pack, pushing its real-world range to 105km in the Eco mode.
• At 111.6kg kerb, the scooter is 3.6kg heavier than before. 

When the Ather 450 was first introduced in the Indian market in 2018, there was nothing like it. The 450X was one of the first true alternatives to an ICE-powered scooter, and as such it established a standard. 

Since then, we've seen the rise of many e-scooters, and while Ather has improved the 450X with minor updates over the years, now was the time to give it a much-needed overhaul. Coming in the picture now, is the Ather 450X Gen 3.

Ather 450X: Design & Features

The Ather 450X is a functional e-scooter with a sporty appearance. Everything, from the front apron-mounted LED headlight to the sleek body cladding, adds up and fits perfectly on the scooter. The updated Ather 450X is available in four new colours: Cosmic Black, Lunar Grey, Salt Green, and True Red, in addition to the existing Space Grey and White.

The latest AtherStack 5.0 software update brings a slew of changes to the Gen 3 scooters, which can be accessed via the seven-inch color touchscreen. To begin, the layout of the console has been changed subtly, with icons such as Bluetooth and time readout moving to the top right, similar to that of a mobile phone. 

It also includes several gesture functions for improved user interface. The Ather 450X already has Google Maps, but the update revises this as well, with new 3D Vector Maps that allow for perspective change, similar to Android Auto in cars, as well as traffic updates that give you a more accurate estimate of when you'll arrive at your destination.

On longer trips, you can also use the trip planner to plan stops along the way, such as to accommodate charging stations. AutoHold (or hill hold) is also available, which can operate almost indefinitely until you tap the brakes to disengage it. Furthermore, the 450X includes integrated 4G LTE SIM connectivity. It also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The new 450X also has a redesigned seat for improved rider and pillion comfort. 

Ather 450X: Motor & Battery specs

The Ather 450X is powered by a 6kW and 26Nm Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) Motor, which is connected to a 3.7kWh Lithium-ion battery pack and a Battery Management System (BMS). It has a range of 85km in Ride mode and 105km in Eco mode. In Warp mode, the Ather 450X claims to accelerate from 0 to 40kmph in 3.3 seconds.

Ather 450X: Chassis

Ather has improved the ride and handling package by replacing the old 90/90 section MRF tyres at the front and rear with new MRF tyres that are grippier due to a revised compound. The scooter leans into corners more gradually due to its rounded profile. It's not as tippy as it used to be. This allowed me to carry a lot more speed through corners while feeling more confident.

Another area where these new tyres are beneficial is braking. The braking hardware is still the same, and it still locks up when braking hard. However, the new compound and profile reduces squealing under hard braking, preventing panic. 

Ather 450X: Dimensions

The Ather 450X, in no way or shape is a large scooter and it is visible too. It feels extremely light and agile in the city and is super fun to flick around. Commuting on it for the past couple of days has been a joy for me. 

Ather 450X: Variants & Price

Ather has priced the 450 Plus at Rs 1,08,895. If you want the added performance, you will have to shell out more than Rs 23,000 for the Ather 450X. 

Conclusion 

The cost increase for the new bits is around Rs 5000, which isn't quite as significant. In fact, when state subsidies are taken into account, it can be a couple of grand cheaper in some states. The larger battery has obvious range benefits and makes the scooter faster. 

However, given the current state of the electric scooter market, it no longer feels as exciting or captivating as it once did. There are scooters that are faster, have more features, and claim to have a longer range. It maintains its spirited advantage over the iQube and Chetak, and we haven't encountered any troublesome small recurring issues, as we did with the Ola S1 Pro. As a dependable sporty scooter, the 450X remains the best electric alternative to internal combustion.