TVS Ntorq 150 First Ride Review: Sporty, Smart, but Up to the Mark?

Is the TVS Ntorq 150 ready to shake up the relatively quiet 150cc-plus scooter segment in India? With rivals like the Yamaha Aerox, Aprilia 160, and the upcoming Hero Xoom 160, TVS has thrown its hat in the ring with this new entrant. In this first ride review, we explore what the Ntorq 150 offers in terms of design, features, and performance, based on our time testing it on TVS's own track. Let's dive in and see if it stands out.

The Ntorq 150's front end bears a subtle resemblance to the TVS X, giving it a sporty and stylish appearance overall. Up front, you'll find projector headlamps, LED turn indicators, and an LED taillight that add to its modern look. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and a single unit at the rear. Safety gets a boost with single-channel ABS and traction control, which is a nice touch in this category. The 12-inch tyres might seem a tad small for the scooter's class, but they fit the proportions well and we'll touch on how they perform during the ride later.

Storage is a mixed bag; the 22-litre underseat compartment is there, but it's not sufficient for a full-face helmet. You can stash some odds and ends, but don't count on securing your lid. There's a USB charging point in the boot, which is handy for topping up your phone, though it would have been far more convenient if placed in the front storage space instead.

On the instrumentation side, the base variant comes with a negative display, while the top-end gets a vibrant TFT colour screen. The higher spec includes various ride modes, a lap timer, fuel gauge, and the option to toggle traction control on or off. The cluster is sharp and remains readable even under bright sunlight. Navigation through the features is via buttons on the left handlebar, and in the top variant, their quality feels solid and responsive.

Shifting focus to the TVS Ntorq 150's ride quality, handling, and performance. It packs a 150cc engine churning out 13 bhp and 14.2 Nm of peak torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h takes just 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 104 km/h. Our experience was limited to TVS's plant test track, so no real-world conditions yet, that'll come in a future detailed review. But based on what we saw, the scooter performs adequately.

Initially, the power delivery isn't overwhelmingly aggressive, but it builds up nicely as you push on. I managed to hit 103-104 km/h without much fuss, and the torque feels substantial in the mid-range. Compared to other scooters, it offers a noticeable edge in power, though it doesn't feel razor-sharp from the get-go. The boost mode, activated in race mode, provides an extra surge for the first few seconds, which is a useful addition for quick overtakes.

The scooter feels agile overall, making turns effortless without any excessive effort, even at slower speeds. No major struggles there. In contrast to maxi-style scooters like the Aerox or the incoming Xoom 160, which are bulkier and heavier, the Ntorq 150 leans towards city-friendly dynamics. It's tuned for urban use, where power delivery shines, and handling tight corners or manoeuvres doesn't demand much from the rider. You can easily flick it around without hassle.

Hardware-wise, the suspension setup couldn't be fully tested for potholes or speed breakers on the smooth track, so real-world bump absorption remains to be seen. At higher speeds, though, it maintains good balance and soaks up what little unevenness there was. Braking is managed by single-channel ABS with a front disc, and traction control is on offer too. The bite feels precise, even at speed, delivering solid stopping power. I tried sudden braking a couple of times at high pace, and the traction control kicked in seamlessly, adding a layer of safety without drama.

Wrapping up, the new Ntorq 150 can be seen as the bigger sibling to the existing Ntorq 125 in TVS's lineup. There are aspects I liked and some I didn't, as covered earlier. The design holds appeal, and the features are quite comprehensive. It's geared more towards city riding, without unnecessary heft. Pricing starts at Rs 119,000 ex-showroom for the base, going up to Rs 129,000 for the top variant with the colour display. Overall, if you're after a well-designed, feature-packed scooter that doesn't skimp on performance and comes from a tried-and-tested brand for reliability, the TVS Ntorq 150 could make for a decent choice. It's not flawless, but it ticks enough boxes for urban commuters.