Ather Rizta S

Overview

Ather Energy, a pioneer in India’s electric two-wheeler segment, has long been recognized for its innovative and sporty electric scooters. With the launch of the Ather Rizta S, the company has taken a bold step to address the needs of Indian families and practical urban commuters. Unlike the performance-focused 450 series, the Rizta S is designed to maximize comfort, storage, and everyday usability—without compromising on technology or safety. In this review, we’ll explore every aspect of the Ather Rizta S, from its design and performance to features, user experience, and ownership.

Design Philosophy: Practicality Meets Modernity

The Ather Rizta S marks a clear departure from the aggressive, sporty styling of Ather’s earlier models. Instead, it embraces a more functional and approachable design, with gentle curves, a wide stance, and a focus on maximizing interior space.

Key Design Elements

• Spacious, Family-Friendly Seat: The Rizta S boasts one of the longest and widest seats in its class, comfortably accommodating two adults or a parent and child. This makes it ideal for family outings, school runs, and daily commutes with a pillion rider.
• Flat Floorboard: The floorboard is flat and generously sized, making it easy to carry groceries, bags, or even a small child’s school bag between your feet—something Indian families will appreciate.
• Clean Aesthetics: The scooter’s bodywork is simple yet elegant, with a horizontal LED headlamp and matching taillight bar. Integrated DRLs and indicators add a touch of modernity, while the overall silhouette remains practical and inviting.
• Color Options: The Rizta S is available in several subtle, family-friendly colors, avoiding the flashy hues often seen on sportier scooters.

Build Quality

Ather’s reputation for robust construction continues with the Rizta S. The underbone chassis, derived from the 450 series, has been modified to offer a longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity. At 125 kg kerb weight, the scooter feels stable, even when fully loaded, yet remains easy to maneuver in city traffic.

Powertrain and Performance

While the Rizta S is not designed to be a speed demon, it offers more than enough performance for everyday urban use.

Motor and Battery

• Motor: The Rizta S is powered by a 4.3 kW electric motor, delivering 22 Nm of torque. This ensures smooth, responsive acceleration—perfect for stop-and-go traffic and quick overtakes.
• Top Speed: The scooter can reach up to 80 km/h, which is ample for city roads and short highway stretches.
• Battery: A fixed 2.9 kWh lithium-ion battery provides the energy, with robust IP66 protection for dust and water resistance. Ather offers a 3-year or 30,000 km warranty on the battery, reflecting confidence in its longevity.

Riding Modes

The Rizta S offers two riding modes:

• Smart Eco: Optimizes power delivery for maximum range, making it ideal for daily commutes and errands.
• Zip: Provides a more spirited throttle response for those moments when you need a bit of extra punch.

Real-World Range

Ather claims an ARAI-certified range of 123 km per charge for the Rizta S. In real-world conditions, users can expect between 100 and 105 km, depending on riding style, traffic, and weather. This is more than sufficient for most urban commutes, and the accurate battery indicator helps alleviate range anxiety.

Charging Experience

Charging the Rizta S is straightforward and safe. Using the included 350W charger, the battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in just under 7 hours, while a full charge takes about 8.3 hours. The battery management system ensures optimal charging, protecting against overcharging and enhancing battery life. Ather’s growing network of fast-charging stations, though not essential for the Rizta S’s target audience, is an added bonus for those who need a quick top-up.

Technology and Features

Ather has equipped the Rizta S with a suite of features that make daily life easier and safer.

Display and Connectivity

• 7-inch DeepView LCD: The large, high-contrast display provides all essential information—speed, range, battery status, trip meter, and more. Its clarity ensures visibility in bright sunlight and at night.
• Bluetooth and WiFi: These connectivity options allow the scooter to pair with the Ather app, unlocking features such as turn-by-turn navigation, ride statistics, remote diagnostics, and over-the-air software updates.

Call and SMS Alerts: Notifications appear directly on the dash, so you never miss an important message while riding.

Storage Solutions

• Underseat Storage: The Rizta S offers a cavernous 34-liter underseat compartment—one of the largest in its segment. It can easily fit a full-face helmet, groceries, or a backpack.
• Optional Frunk: For those needing even more space, an optional 22-liter front trunk (frunk) is available, making the Rizta S a true champion of practicality.

Safety and Smart Features

• Braking System: The scooter features a front disc and rear drum brake, supported by a combi-brake system for balanced, confident stopping.
• Traction Control: Ather’s Skid Control system helps prevent wheel slip on wet or loose surfaces.
• Side-Stand Motor Cut-Off: Prevents accidental acceleration when the stand is down.
• Emergency Stop Signal: Alerts other motorists during sudden braking.
• Reverse Mode and Auto Hold: Make parking and maneuvering easy, even in tight spaces.
• Magic Twist Regenerative Braking: Allows the rider to decelerate smoothly by twisting the throttle backward, reducing wear on brake pads and improving energy efficiency.

Comfort and Usability

Everything about the Rizta S is engineered for comfort and convenience. The seat is wide and well-cushioned, the suspension (telescopic front fork and rear monoshock) is tuned for Indian roads, and the 12-inch wheels with tubeless tyres provide a stable, confidence-inspiring ride. The flat floorboard, low seat height, and easy-to-reach controls make the scooter accessible for riders of all ages and heights.

Ownership Experience

Running Costs

The Rizta S is extremely economical to run, with average energy costs of just a few paise per kilometer. Maintenance is minimal compared to petrol scooters, and Ather’s service network is expanding rapidly in major cities.

Warranty and Support

Ather provides a 3-year warranty on both the battery and the charger. Owners benefit from roadside assistance, regular software updates, and a responsive customer support team.

Price and Value

As of June 2025, the Ather Rizta S is priced between ₹1.09 lakh and ₹1.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). This positions it as a strong value proposition, especially given its feature set, comfort, and Ather’s reputation for quality and after-sales service. When compared to rivals like the Ola S1 Air, TVS iQube, and Bajaj Chetak, the Rizta S stands out for its family-friendly focus and unmatched storage.

Conclusion

The Ather Rizta S is a thoughtfully designed electric scooter that puts families and practical commuters first. Its spacious seat, huge storage, reliable range, and suite of smart features make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a modern, dependable, and economical scooter for daily use. With its robust build, user-friendly technology, and Ather’s commitment to customer satisfaction, the Rizta S is set to become a favorite among Indian households looking to embrace electric mobility without compromise.