Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Which Is The Ola Electric Scooter To Go For?

Of the three, the new Ola S1 Pro stands out in terms of almost everything

• The S1 Pro Gen 2 is the brand’s new flagship scooter so Ola’s thrown everything at them 
• The S1X, meanwhile, is the brand’s entry-level lineup meant to rival the likes of the Honda Activa 6G
• Those looking for something between the S1 Pro and the S1X can have a look at the S1 Air

Ola’s S1 lineup went through an overhaul recently and there are now three electric scooters in it: S1 Pro Gen 2, the top-of-the-line one, the S1 Air, the middle one and the S1X, the most affordable one meant to compete with ICE scooters like the Honda Activa 6G and the TVS Jupiter. Now while that has added variety to the market, it could also confuse those looking for an Ola electric scooter. 

If you’re one of them, don’t worry. For here we’ve compared all of them to see which is the one you should go for. Here’s a quick lowdown on the same: 

Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Design & Features

The Ola S1X stands out in the S1 lineup due to its sleeker appearance, mainly because of its smaller headlight cowl. However, the design of the apron and side panels closely resembles the standard S1 model. Notably, it features a telescopic fork and blacked-out steel wheels for a distinctive look.

When it comes to features, the Ola S1X offers a range of options, including multiple riding modes, a reverse mode, side stand alert, an LCD instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity with navigation, and even cruise control, among other features. It's important to note that the availability of these features may vary depending on the specific variant you choose. 

The Ola S1 Air takes a practical approach in its design, targeting daily commuters. It features a level floorboard and sleek black body cladding, along with a single-piece pillion grab rail and robust steel wheels, as opposed to alloy wheels seen in other models. Unlike the flashier aesthetics of its premium counterparts in the S1 range, the S1 Air opts for a more understated and approachable look.

Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Motor & Range

The Ola S1X features a hub motor with a continuous power output of 2.7kW and a peak power of 6kW across all three variants. In terms of top speed, the S1X and S1X+ models are limited to 90kmph, while the 2kWh variant of the S1X has a slightly lower top speed at 85kmph.

All three variants come with three riding modes: Eco, Normal, and Sports. When it comes to acceleration, the S1X and S1X+ can reach 0-60kmph in 5.5 seconds, whereas the 2kWh variant achieves this in 7.9 seconds.

The motor is paired with a 3kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the S1X and S1X+ models. As for the 2kWh variant of the S1X, it is equipped with a 2kWh battery pack. Charging any of these variants from 0 to 100 percent using the home charger takes approximately 7.4 hours.

Powering the Ola S1 Air is an electric hub motor with a rated power output of 2.7kW and an impressive peak power of 4.5kW. This motor is supplied by a 3kWh battery pack, which provides the electric scooter with an official range of up to 125km on a single charge and a top speed of around 90 kmph.

One notable aspect worth mentioning is a slight delay in response between twisting the throttle and the scooter's initiation of forward motion, especially when attempting passing maneuvers. Interestingly, during swift deceleration, a distinct characteristic becomes evident, where the scooter maintains some degree of acceleration even after releasing the throttle.

Ola has fine-tuned its riding settings to provide the most exhilarating riding experience on the S1 Pro. The scooter delivers a sense of speed and liveliness, particularly in Hyper mode, but it also maintains a respectable pace in Sport and Normal modes. With the integration of Moves 2 software, the scooter shaves nearly a second off its time to reach 60kmph compared to previous versions.

Furthermore, there's a more balanced distribution of torque across all riding modes, ensuring optimal performance and reaching the top speed in each mode. While the throttle response has improved slightly, there remains potential for further enhancements in this area.

Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

The front suspension of the Ola S1 Pro generally does a commendable job of absorbing small bumps and handling uneven surfaces effectively.

However, its performance falls short when confronted with larger obstacles, resulting in a somewhat uncomfortable and harsh ride. You might feel the impact in your wrists and back when encountering substantial bumps. On a positive note, when navigating corners with the Ola S1 Pro, the suspension, robust tubular chassis, and large 12-inch tyres collectively instill a sense of confidence and stability, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Dimensions

Weighing in at 108kg, the S1 Air sheds a notable 13kg compared to its counterpart, the S1 Pro. This difference is immediately apparent in its performance. The scooter exhibits enhanced agility when changing directions, and maneuvering it around corners feels notably more effortless. The decision to use a smaller battery pack has effectively eliminated the perceived heftiness that was associated with the S1 Pro in the case of the S1 Air.

The weight of the Ola S1 Pro becomes most noticeable during city riding. In comparison to models like the Ather 450X or TVS iQube, the scooter's longer wheelbase and slightly reduced agility become evident. While it's not a significant concern, you can feel the weight of the scooter when navigating in tight parking spaces.

Ola S1 Pro vs Ola S1 Air vs Ola S1X: Price

Ola has priced the three scooters linewise. The S1X, being the most affordable one, is priced at Rs 89,999, to even go up against the likes of the Honda Activa 6G and the TVS Jupiter. The S1 Air, meanwhile, carries a price tag of Rs 1.20 lakh, meaning it rivals scooters like the standard TVS iQube. 

Those looking for an extremely premium experience can opt for the Ola S1 Pro, which, at Rs 1.47 lakh, rivals scooters like the Ather 450X and the River Indie. 

Verdict 

As we said in our earlier comparison reviews as well, the Ola S1 Pro and the S1 Air have some issues that Ola must sort out as soon as possible, especially things like the throttle calibration. If not done so, it can be risky for riders. 

Those looking for the S1X though, can go ahead if they want to. Yet, this is also only if they strictly want an Ola. If not, we’d advise them to go for the TVS iQube standard variant or even petrol alternatives like the Honda Activa 6G or the TVS Jupiter.