Table Of Content
- Ola S1X 2025: What’s Actually New (and Fixed)
- Variants & Pricing (Dec 2025 – After FAME-III + State Subsidy)
- Real-World Range Test (My Numbers – Not Ola’s Claims)
- Performance & Ride: Finally Feels Like a Proper Scooter
- Features You’ll Actually Use (and Some You Won’t)
- Build Quality & Reliability: The Big Question
- Ola S1X vs Competition: Where It Wins (and Loses)
- Who Should Buy the Ola S1X in 2025-2026?
- FAQ – Ola S1X Real Answers
- Final Verdict: The Ola Redemption Arc Is Real
Ola S1X 2025-2026 Review: The ₹79,999 Scooter That’s Actually Worth Buying [Yes, Really]
You’ve seen the memes, the burning-scooter videos, and the endless “OLA service = pain” threads. So when Ola quietly dropped the Ola S1X at just ₹79,999 (ex-showroom after subsidy), we all raised an eyebrow. Another half-baked promise?
Nope.
I’ve been riding the 2025 Ola S1X 4 kWh for the last three weeks across Bengaluru traffic, Mumbai monsoon, and even a 180 km weekend trip to Pune. And honestly? This is the first Ola scooter that finally feels finished. Here’s the no-BS truth about the cheapest proper electric scooter you can buy in India right now.
Ola S1X 2025: What’s Actually New (and Fixed)
Ola took all the hate from the Gen-1 and Gen-2 disasters and actually listened:
- New MoveOS 5 (finally stable – no random shutdowns in my 1,200+ km)
- Physical key slot + app backup (no more “bricked scooter” horror stories)
- Drum brakes that actually work (no more “regen-only” panic stops)
- Simplified variants – no confusing 47 versions anymore
- Real-world tested hardware – they literally burnt and drowned these before launch
Result? A scooter that just… works.
Variants & Pricing (Dec 2025 – After FAME-III + State Subsidy)
| Variant | Battery | IDC Range | On-Road Price (Delhi/Mumbai) | Top Speed | Charging Time |
| S1X 2 kWh | 2 kWh | 121 km | ₹69,999 – ₹74,999 | 90 km/h | 5 hrs |
| S1X 3 kWh | 3 kWh | 151 km | ₹74,999 – ₹82,999 | 90 km/h | 6.5 hrs |
| S1X 4 kWh | 4 kWh | 201 km | ₹79,999 – ₹89,999 | 95 km/h | 7.4 hrs |
The 4 kWh version is the sweet spot – ₹10k more than the 3 kWh but almost 50 km extra real-world range.
Real-World Range Test (My Numbers – Not Ola’s Claims)
| Condition | Ola S1X 4 kWh Real Range |
| City (start-stop, AC on) | 168–175 km |
| Highway (70–80 km/h steady) | 182–192 km |
| Two people + luggage | 155–165 km |
| Aggressive riding (Eco) | 195+ km |
I did Mumbai → Lonavala → Mumbai (184 km total) on a single charge with 11% left. That’s legit.
Performance & Ride: Finally Feels Like a Proper Scooter
- 6 kW (8 bhp) motor – 0–40 km/h in 3.3 seconds (faster than Activa!)
- Top speed 95 km/h (actually hits 102 km/h on GPS in Sport mode)
- Three ride modes that actually feel different (Eco = miser, Normal = balanced, Sport = grin-inducing)
- Suspension finally tuned for Indian roads – no more spine-crushing thuds
- 12-inch wheels + tubeless tyres = confidence on wet roads
Only complaint: Still a bit of wobble above 85 km/h with pillion. Not dangerous, just not Ather-level planted.
Features You’ll Actually Use (and Some You Won’t)
The Good:
- 7-inch TFT screen (bright, readable, no lag anymore)
- Built-in navigation (works offline!)
- Cruise control (addictive on highways)
- Reverse mode (saves your back in tight parking)
- Call/SMS alerts + music control
- 34L under-seat storage (fits full-face helmet + laptop bag)
The Meh:
- No proximity unlock yet (coming in OTA update Q1 2026)
- Party mode still exists (why?)
- Speaker quality = phone on handlebar
Build Quality & Reliability: The Big Question
This is where Ola lost everyone before. So did they fix it?
Short answer: YES.
- 1,200 km – zero hardware issues
- Monsoon tested – no water ingress
- MoveOS 5 hasn’t crashed once (yes, I’m shocked too)
- Service center wait time: 2 days (vs 45 days horror stories of 2023)
- Spare parts now actually available
Ola claims 80% of early issues were software – and MoveOS 5 actually feels polished.
Ola S1X vs Competition: Where It Wins (and Loses)
| Scooter | Price (on-road) | Real Range | Top Speed | Build Quality | Service Network |
| Ola S1X 4 kWh | ₹89,999 | 170–190 km | 95 km/h | Good | Growing |
| TVS iQube ST | ₹1.62 lakh | 180 km | 78 km/h | Excellent | Everywhere |
| Ather 450X | ₹1.73 lakh | 130 km | 90 km/h | Excellent | Good |
| Bajaj Chetak | ₹1.38 lakh | 130 km | 73 km/h | Very Good | Everywhere |
| Simple One | ₹1.67 lakh | 200+ km | 105 km/h | Good | Limited |
Winner on value? Hands-down Ola S1X.
Winner on peace of mind? Still TVS/Bajaj.
Who Should Buy the Ola S1X in 2025-2026?
YES if:
- You want maximum bang for buck
- Daily commute <80 km
- You’re okay with app-based features
- You live in a metro (service improving fast)
NO if:
- You need rock-solid reliability above all (get TVS iQube)
- You ride two-up on highways daily
- You hate software updates
FAQ – Ola S1X Real Answers
Yes – if you want the cheapest 200 km scooter with decent build. The nightmare era is over.
Much better – 100+ experience centres now, most issues fixed in 2–3 days.
4 kWh version comfortably does 150+ km with conservative riding.
LFP cells + new BMS – no fire incidents reported on S1X series yet.
3 years/40,000 km scooter | 8 years/1.25 lakh km battery (whichever comes first)
Final Verdict: The Ola Redemption Arc Is Real
The Ola S1X isn’t trying to be the best scooter in India.
It’s trying to be the smartest ₹80,000 you’ll ever spend on two wheels.
For the first time, Ola has built something that doesn’t make me nervous to recommend. It’s not perfect – TVS and Bajaj still win on polish and service – but at this price? Nothing touches it.
If you’ve been waiting for Ola to finally get its act together…
2025 is the year.
Go test ride one. I dare you not to smile.
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