2025 Suzuki e-Access first ride review: Sensible, sorted, and made for the city

The Hindu

02-06-2025

Suzuki's 2025 e-Access entersthe electric scooter market with a clear sense of purpose, prioritizing practicality over spectacle. This is a scooter built for the real world—quietly competent, thoughtfully engineered, and squarely aimed at the everyday commuter. During a day-long test ride on a closed course in Bangalore designed to stimulate typical urban conditions, including tight corners, speed bumps, and uneven surfaces, the e-Access consistently delivered a sense of calm, controlled assurance.
Although it shares a name with the familiar Access 125, this is no simple conversion. The e_Access carries its own distinct design identity that subtly echoes its petrol counterpart without mimicking it outright. The bodywork is clean and clutter-free layout reflecting Suzuki's functional design philosophy. A vertical daytime running light (DRL) and sleek LED headlamp lend a touch of moderlity to the front, while the rear's dual-tone finish adds visual appeal without appearing forced or flazhy. The scooter tips the scales at 122 kg—light enough to be nimble in traffic but with enough heft to feel stable. A 765 mm seat height and 160 mm of ground clearance strike a good balance between accessibility and urban practicality, making it comfortable for a wide range of riders.
Powering the e-Access is a 3.072 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which Suzuki claims will deliver up to 95 km on a full charge. Based on the ride experience and real-world assumptions, a range of around 75–80 km is more realistic—and more than adequate for typical daily commutes. The motor delivers a peak output of 4.1 kW and 15 Nm of torque, tuned to offer smooth, progressive acceleration that's well-suited to city riding. The response is immediate but never abrupt, and the e-Access feels quick off the line without ever feeling jumpy.
Riders can choose between three riding modes —Eco, Ride Mode A, and Ride Mode B—depending on their priorities Eco mode restricts top speed to 55 km/h and prioritizes efficiency, while the Ride modes allow a bit more freedom, topping out at around 71 km/h. There's also a reverse function, a practical touch that proves useful in tight parking situations. Across all modes, the throttle feel remains linear and intuitive, underscoring Suzuki's attention to tuning rather than raw output.
The chassis and suspension setup deserve special mention. Suzuki has struck a fine balance between ride comfort and handling precision. The scooter feels well-planted through turns, with enough agility to make tight manoeuvres feel effortless. On the simulated course, it easily handled quick direction changes, low-speed hairpins, and uneven surfaces. Braking performance is sharp, and with some seat time, it's easy to modulate. Grip levels from the tires are commendable, providing confidence through corners and quick stops alike.
What stands out most is how natural the e-Access feels. There's no drama, no exaggerated sportiness—it simply responds to rider inputs in a calm and predictable way. For an electric scooter meant for urban duty, this mature, composed character is a major strength.
The e-Access focusses on functional equipment rather than an extensive feature list. The under-seat storage is sufficient for a small helmet or a few shopping bags, meeting the practical needs of everyday commuting. The 4.2-inch TFT screen is easy to read, although visibility under bright sunlight could be improved. It gets the job done, but doesn't particularly stand out.
Charging flexibility is a notable strength. Using a portable charger, the e-Access can be charged from 0–100% in 6 hours and 20 minutes, or up to 80% in 4 hours and 30 minutes. For those in a hurry, the DC fast charging option trims that significantly—0–80% in 1 hour and 12 minutes, and a full charge in just over two hours. Suzuki also plans to equip its dealership network with fast-charging stations by mid-2025, a move that will help early adopters transition more comfortably to EV ownership.
Suzuki has not disclosed official pricing at the time of this review, it's expected to land just above ₹1 lakh (ex-showroom), placing it competitively in the current electric scooter landscape. What sets the e-Access apart is its quiet competence. It doesn't try to be the flashiest or fastest electric scooter on the market, but it's thoughtfully put together, easy to ride, and clearly built with the commuter in mind. In a segment where overly ambitious tech or design often overshadows basic usability, the e-Access takes a more grounded approach—and that might be exactly what a large portion of urban riders are looking for.
The 2025 Suzuki e-Access is not intended to spark an electric revolution.( may not ignite an EV revolution, but it never intended to.) Instead, it plays to Suzuki's strengths: reliability, consistency, and sensibility. It's a scooter that feels complete, not because it overwhelms with features, but because it delivers exactly what it promises—an easy, comfortable, and predictable ride for city use. For first-time EV buyers or those transitioning from petrol-powered scooters, the e-Access offers a low-stress, high-confidence experience that's hard to ignore. If your priorities are practicality, ease of use, and a brand you can trust, Suzuki's first electric scooter is one worth waiting for.
Price: INR 1 lakh (expected price)