Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Variants Compared

The top speed between the two varies from 63kmph to 73kmph 

• The battery capacities, meanwhile, go from 2.9kWh to 3.2kWh
• Both scooters’ ranges vary from 113km to 127km
• That said, in terms of design, both scooters are pretty much the same

Bajaj presently provides the Chetak in two variants: Premium and Urbane, with a significant Rs 20,000 price gap between them. If you've been contemplating which variant merits your hard-earned money, here's a swift overview of what each variant offers, aiming to assist you in making an informed buying decision.

Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Design & Features

Bajaj unveiled the latest iterations of its Chetak electric scooter, namely Chetak Urbane and Chetak Premium. While these two scooters share many features, they differ on crucial aspects. Here's a comparison of the latest Chetak versions.

The Chetak Premium 2024 showcases a square-shaped 5-inch TFT screen displaying music, calls, and directions, presenting a more aesthetically pleasing design than the Urbane's round LCD display. However, preferences for looks are subjective.

Both versions share common features, including hill hold assist, reverse mode, geo-location tracking, and key fob. TecPac: Bajaj Auto also offers an optional TecPac for the Chetak Premium, available for purchase on the company's website. The TecPac enables users to enjoy features like turn-by-turn (TBT) navigation, music playback control, call alerts, and personalization of the display theme according to their preferences.

Retaining its enduring allure, the Chetak presents metal body panels, a dual-tone seat, alloy wheels, and metallic paint choices. Noteworthy updates encompass dark grey accent trims around lights, enhancing its elegant appeal. Early batches might reveal slight panel gaps, expected to be refined in subsequent models. Exceptional ergonomics provide ample footboard space, a well-contoured seat, and precisely positioned handlebars.

A notable addition is the 5-inch colour TFT screen, elevating the scooter's premium feel. Although not a touchscreen, it imparts a wealth of information. Standard features include an Eco mode, reverse mode, and an onboard 800W charger.

The optional Tecpac, priced at Rs 9,000, unlocks Sport mode, sequential turn indicators, hill-hold assist, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, notification alerts, call management, and display themes. Valid for 5 years, Tecpac integrates with the Chetak app for connected features.

Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Motors

The Chetak Premium 2024 is equipped with a 3.2 kWh battery, in contrast to the Urbane's 2.9 kWh unit. In terms of range, the Premium, with its larger battery, offers an extended range of 126 km compared to the Urbane's 113 km.

Both versions, however, share a similar top speed of 73 km/h. Charger: The Urbane features an off-board 650W charger, while the Chetak Premium 2024 comes with an on-board 800W charger.

Bajaj Chetak's performance maintains consistency, offering a responsive throttle in both Eco and Sport modes. While the difference between modes is marginal, Sport mode provides a higher top speed. Effective braking, coupled with gradual regenerative braking feedback, upholds the scooter's user-friendly nature.

Key changes include an upgraded 3.2kWh battery pack, extending the range to 126km (as per IDC cycle) and approximately 115km in real-world conditions. Charging time has increased to 4 hours 30 mins for a full charge from the 800W onboard charger. The top speed has been raised to 73kph, addressing previous concerns, with revised gearing for improved performance.

Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Suspension

The Chetak delivers a firm yet absorbent ride, catering to both city and highway use with its improved top speed. The permanent magnet motor produces a peak output of 4.2kW and 20Nm, ensuring linear acceleration. Natural throttle response and effective regenerative braking enhance the overall riding experience.

Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Dimensions

Practicality sees improvements with a reprofiled underseat boot, offering a flatter floor and increased capacity from 17 to 21 litres. While unable to accommodate a full-face helmet, it comfortably houses a half-face helmet. The 5.5-litre front glove box retains the charging cable, and a convenient luggage hook remains.

Bajaj Chetak Premium vs Chetak Urbane: Price

The 2023 Bajaj Chetak is available in Premium and Urbane variants, each with Standard and Tecpac sub-variants. The Premium variant is priced at Rs 1,35,463 and Rs 1,44,463 (ex-showroom Bengaluru, including FAME 2 subsidy) for Standard and Tecpac, respectively. Colour options include Hazel Nut, Indigo Blue, and Brooklyn Black.

The Urbane variant is priced at Rs 1,15,000 for Standard and Rs 1,23,001 for Tecpac, with colour options including Cyber White, Matte Coarse Grey, Indigo Metallic, and Brooklyn Black. While Bajaj's pricing for the TecPac is reasonable, considering the features, there's a sentiment that these features should have been standard, aligning with most competitors.

The Chetak Urbane will be available in coarse grey, cyber white, brooklyn black, and indigo metallic blue. The Chetak Premium will be offered in hazelnut, indigo metallic blue, and brooklyn black.

Verdict

With an upgraded battery pack and extended riding range, the Bajaj Chetak aims to provide enhanced value. Priced at Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom), the base model lacks ride modes and connectivity features. Accessing these tech features requires an additional Rs 9,000 investment in the 'TecPac.' This positions it competitively against the Ola S1 Pro and slightly above the TVS iQube S.

While not as feature-rich as some competitors, the Bajaj Chetak appeals to those seeking a straightforward electric scooter. It boasts a credible claimed range, comfortable ergonomics, spacious design, and plush ride quality, offering a pleasant experience for both rider and pillion. Though the performance may not be exhilarating, the Chetak compensates with practical aspects.

In conclusion, the improved range and other enhancements significantly contribute to the Chetak's overall value. With distinctive styling, commendable build quality, and a pleasant riding experience, the Bajaj Chetak stands out as a noteworthy option in the electric scooter market.

And as for which variant you should go for, if the navigation, extra features and most importantly, the onboard charger mean a lot to you, we think you should stretch your budget and go for the Premium variant. But if your daily commutes are fine with these little inconveniences, we think the Urbane variant is good enough for you.