Fit and Finish, Ride Quality
Price, Performance, Range and Boot space
The Access nameplate has been a familiar sight on Indian roads since 2007. When the Suzuki Access was first launched, it quickly became a hit thanks to its refined engine, solid fit and finish, and comfortable ride quality. Almost two decades later, that same formula continues to make the Access one of Suzuki’s best-selling scooters. But times are changing, machines are evolving, and we’re gradually moving away from fossil fuels. Enter the Suzuki e-Access, Suzuki’s first electric scooter. Launched around a year ago, we’ve finally got our hands on it to see how it performs in everyday conditions, what kind of real-world range it delivers, and, most importantly, whether it is worthy of carrying the Access nameplate. Read on to find out.
The Suzuki e-Access sticks to a conventional design language, with styling that doesn’t immediately scream “EV”. In fact, there are plenty of design cues that remind you of the familiar Access. Up front, it gets an LED headlamp that offers a good amount of illumination, along with a vertically stacked LED strip that doubles up as a DRL. The LED turn indicators are neatly integrated into the front apron. At the rear, there’s a U-shaped LED taillight with the turn indicators positioned just below it.
Where the e-Access falls short of its competition is in the features department. It gets a basic TFT display with turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, along with three ride modes: Eco, A and B. It gets a multifunction keyless system, all-LED lighting and a USB charging port. While these features cover the basics, rivals at this price point offer a lot more. The e-Access feels a little under-equipped in comparison and could certainly benefit from a more comprehensive feature list.
Suzuki scooters have always been known for their solid build quality, fit and finish, and the e-Access carries that reputation forward. The panels feel well put together, while the switchgear feels tactile and of good quality. In terms of practicality, the e-Access gets a spacious floorboard and a small cubby at the front. However, its 17-litre under-seat storage feels quite limited, and once you put the charger in, there’s barely any room left for anything else. This is another drawback of the e-Access. One nice touch, though, is the seat lock that holds the seat in place once opened. It’s a simple yet useful feature, and one that we’d like to see more manufacturers adopt.
The Suzuki e-Access is powered by a 3.072kWh LFP battery pack, which feeds a mid-mounted PMSM motor driving the rear wheel through a belt-drive system. The motor produces 4.1kW and 15Nm of torque. It gets three ride modes: Eco, A and B, which alter the power delivery and regenerative braking. This setup isn’t focused on outright performance, but rather on delivering a smooth, comfortable ride with good efficiency. As for range, the 3kWh battery returned around 90km on a full charge, with the range dropping in a fairly linear and predictable manner.
The Suzuki e-Access is built on an underbone chassis and weighs 122kg. It handles well and is incredibly easy to flick through traffic. In fact, weaving through traffic on the e-Access has been the most fun I’ve had on this scooter.
The Suzuki e-Access rides on 12-inch wheels at both ends, with telescopic forks up front and an offset monoshock at the rear. The suspension setup does a good job of soaking up bumps and dealing with our Indian roads, making it one of the e-Access’ strong points. Braking is handled by a front disc and rear drum, with a combined braking system. While braking performance is adequate, the tyres tend to lock up under hard braking. The lack of ABS is a concern, as this could potentially lead to a mishap. Most scooters in the electric scooter segment currently miss out on ABS, but I believe at least single-channel ABS should be mandatory, as it can significantly improve braking performance and overall safety.
The Suzuki e-Access has been priced at ₹1.88 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it at the higher end of the electric scooter segment. And when you look at what it offers in terms of specifications and features, it becomes difficult to recommend it over its competitors. The e-Access gets the basics right with excellent throttle calibration, good fit and finish, and a well-sorted suspension setup. However, these positives are overshadowed by its high price, relatively small 3kWh battery, average performance and range, and limited boot space. At ₹1.88 lakh ex-showroom, with the on-road price crossing ₹2 lakh, the e-Access is simply difficult to justify. India is a price-sensitive market, and had Suzuki priced the e-Access closer to ₹1.20 lakh (ex-showroom), it could have been a compelling proposition. At its current price, however, it feels far too expensive for what it offers.
