In Pics: New Bajaj Chetak 3201 Special Edition vs Ather Rizta: Electric Scooters Compared

The newly-launched Bajaj Chetak 3201 Special Edition is a mid-spec variant of the electric family scooter. At its price, it goes up against the mid-spec variant of the Ather Rizta electric scooter. We compare different aspects of the scooters to see how they fare in this pictorial comparison.

Bajaj Chetak vs Ather Rizta: Styling

Styling is one the biggest differentiating factors of these two electric scooters. The Bajaj Chetak has a neo-retro styling that looks like a modern iteration of the OG ICE Chetak, while the Ather Rizta looks futuristic and minimal with straight lines and an almost-boxy bodywork. Also, the Chetak gets an all-metal body. 

The Chetak 3201 is exclusively available in a two-tone black paint scheme, while the Rizta gets a range of seven different colours. This variant of the Chetak also gets a quilted-design seat cover that makes it look quite premium. However, the Rizta gets a pillion back-rest which offers more utility. Both the scooters have LED lighting all around. 

Bajaj Chetak vs Ather Rizta: Battery, Range, & Charging

Comparing the range on paper, the Chetak 3201 takes the cake against the Rizta’s mid variant - 136km against 123km, respectively (claimed, Indian Driving Cycle).

This is because the Chetak has a 3.2kWh battery pack, with a top-speed of 73kmph, while the Rizta has a smaller 2.9kWh battery pack and a higher top-speed of 80kmph. However, the Chetak can be charged completely in 5h 30m while the Ather takes 5h 45m to charge up to 80 percent (both claimed times).

Bajaj Chetak vs Ather Rizta: Features

Both the electric scooters in contention are fairly well-equipped with features. Standard features include navigation, call and message alerts, reverse mode, and then some.

The Chetak gets a slightly smaller TFT display which looks quite nice, however, all eyes on the Ather’s rather massive 7-inch TFT display with touchscreen and full Google Maps. The Chetak gets one riding mode while the Rizta has two. The Chetak gets two-riding modes with the optional Tec-Pac, which also adds some new features like scooter alerts, OTA updates, vehicle diagnostics and more. The Rizta also has an optional Pro pack that enables features like auto-reply for calls, Whatsapp message preview, live location sharing, and more. 

Bajaj Chetak vs Ather Rizta: Storage and Space

The Rizta wins the storage space debate between the two scooters, hands down. 

With a 34-litre underseat storage, the Rizta can store quite a lot more than Chetak’s 18-litre boot. Even the floorboard on the former is quite large. 

Bajaj Chetak vs Ather Rizta: Price

All said, you’ll save money if you buy the Ather Rizta over the Bajaj Chetak – the mid variants that is. 

But then again, the Rizta doesn’t look as hip as its sportier-looking sibling, while the Chetak has a retro charm that we spoke of earlier. The Rizta 2.9kWh mid-variant costs Rs 1,24,999, while the Chetak 3201 Special Edition has been launched Rs 1,28,744, but is only available on Amazon marketplace (both prices ex-showroom, Bangalore, including Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 subsidies). That’s a saving of Rs 3,745 if you buy the Rizta. That said, both the scooters have a seemingly good value for money, and a reliable service support, but the Chetak takes advantage of a well-spread service network that Bajaj has. Though, we must point to the fact that Ather is already expanding its network rapidly, and has one of the best service-centre experiences in the electric two-wheeler segment. So you won’t go wrong with either of the two scooters.