The Lectric XP4 750, step-through in Raindrop Blue, is certainly a looker. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia
Lectric’s XP series is one of the most well-loved and widely ridden ebikes in the U.S., period. According to the brand website, the XP is the third most popular electric vehicle in the U.S., outpaced by only the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
The bike was introduced in 2019 with the same basic, foldable frame, and since then has seen various improvements. Over the years, the bike has accumulated an integrated rear rack capable of supporting up to 150 lbs, front suspension, and various user-friendly enhancements. The XP 3.0, released in 2023, is already a worthy ebike and was a top pick of ours across many of our ebike reviews. You can check out our review of the XP 3.0 here. That said, the Lectric XP4 ($999) takes things to a whole new level.
This past May, Lectric announced the release of the XP4, the latest iteration of the bestselling ebike. And the enhancements that have been made are wildly impressive. From a new torque sensor to the option to upgrade to the XP4 750, which comes with a 750-Watt motor and massive 17.5Ah battery, we’ll talk you through it all below.
Bottom Line: Lectric’s new XP4 is a significant upgrade of their popular XP series of ebikes, introducing new features like a torque sensor, full color display, quieter motor, redesigned frame, and so much more, while maintaining the same price of $999.
See the XP4 on Lectric See the XP4 750 on Lectric
Related: Best Folding Electric Bikes | Best Electric Bikes | More Ebike Reviews
The Lectric XP4 conquers the hills of San Francisco with ease. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia
Testing the Lectric XP4
I’ve spent the past few weeks riding the Lectric XP4 750 around San Francisco. The upgraded version of the Lectric XP4 it’s the same bike, just with a more powerful motor and a bigger battery (see specs below). Having spent plenty of time on the Lectric XP 3.0, which has a 500W motor and similarly sized battery as the base-model XP4, I feel confident speaking to the power and range of both the base-model XP4 and XP4 750.
Setting up the Lectric XP4 is a breeze (5-minute, no-tool-required assembly), and we are big fans of the eco-friendly packaging. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Lectric XP4 ($999)
Top Speed: 28 mph
Motor: 500W (750W on the XP4 750)
Battery: 10.4Ah (17.5 on the XP4 750)
Weight: 69 lbs (71 lbs for the XP4 750)
Payload: 330 lbs
Range: 50 miles (85 miles for the XP4 750)
XP4 750 Price: $1,299
Pros: Speedy, reliable, compact, tons of accessories
Cons: Less of a premium feel compared to bikes from Aventon or Rad (for example), but for nearly half the price, it punches far above its weight class
Notable Features of the Lectric XP4
Frame Design and Rear Rack
Lectric’s XP4 provides a very similar shape and design to the XP 3.0, with an overall sleeker look and feel (and more color options than just white and black). The bike is still offered in both step-over and step-through frame shapes. One of my favorite features of the bike overall is the integrated rear rack, which is capable of supporting up to 150 lbs, enough to take a smaller-sized adult passenger. The versatility that this provides cannot be understated, giving the bike “utility ebike” status in my book. A variety of mounting points across the frame adds even more versatility, and Lectric’s wide array of accessories integrates seamlessly to add on racks, baskets, panniers, passenger seats, and more. I’m a huge fan of the nifty little folding lock that mounts easily to various points across the frame.
The sturdy rear rack can support up to 150lbs, plenty enough for a small-sized adult passenger (ignore the crease on the passenger seat, that’s from a bungee cord I had strapped across it for too long). Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Torque Sensor
One of the biggest upgrades to Lectric XP4 is the inclusion of a torque sensor, providing more efficient power delivery and a more natural pedaling experience. You can learn more about the differences between a torque and cadence sensor here in our Best Electric Bikes review. It’s not quite as smooth as torque sensors on ebikes like the Aventon Aventure 3, or Aventon Sinch 2.5, for example, but it certainly gets the job done.
The display on the Lectric XP4 is a huge upgrade, as is the trigger shifter on the right side, and lock-on handlebar grips. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Other Upgrades Over the XP 3.0
Lectric tweaked just about everything with the XP4. The display is now full color, detachable, and has a USB-C port on the underside. The menus and settings are also much easier to navigate. The XP 3.0 required the battery key to be inserted for the bike to turn on – that’s now optional, and the keyhole is much more conveniently located on the side of the bike. This was one of my personal biggest gripes with the 3.0, so I’m glad they changed it.
Turn signals are another welcome addition, as well as more comfortable, lock-on handlebar grips. The throttle is now on the left side of the bike, and is a thumb throttle, rather than a twist. The motor is made with Lectric’s M24 Stealth technology for a noticeably quieter ride, and the drivetrain and brakes have been slightly upgraded, with the bike now featuring a below-the-bar trigger shifter. The fenders are plastic, which might seem like a downgrade, but they rattle a lot less now.
The keyhole and charging port are now conveniently located on the side of the bike. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Power and Range
Overall, the range and power of the base-model XP4 are solid, but nothing to write home about. The 500W motor provides plenty of oomph to get me up even the steepest hills in San Francisco without breaking a sweat, but going uphill with an adult passenger on the back will certainly result in a decent workout. Granted, this testing was conducted on the prior model XP 3.0, but considering that the stats are basically the same (roughly 1000W peak power and 55Nm of torque), I doubt there’s much difference on the base-model XP4. Range-wise, the torque sensor will help a bit, and neither the range nor the power is a real downside of the bike, just not a standout feature.
Now speaking of the XP4 750, this is where things get exciting. This bike has a vastly improved range, up to 85 miles in ideal conditions, and in testing, I was quite impressed with how long the bike lasted before needing to recharge. The hills of San Francisco, stop-and-go of urban commuting, and my riding style are not the most energy-efficient ways to travel, but in comparison to other ebikes I’ve ridden under the same conditions, including the XP 3.0, the additional range you get is very impressive indeed. And the motor power is obviously a huge step up as well, at 750W (1310W peak). This is instantly noticeable when riding solo and under heavy loads. Zippy and powerful, this thing is a joy to ride for those who crave a bit more excitement.
Despite all the upgrades, small features like the somewhat clunky kickstand reminded me of the bike’s $999 price tag. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Drawbacks
I honestly don’t have too much to say here. One gripe of mine with the XP4 is that the battery is located inside the frame, so you must fold the bike in the middle if you’re going to take it off the bike to charge. An extra step for me, not having a convenient charging port where I park my bike, but this won’t be an issue for most riders.
It’s also worth noting that, for all my glowing remarks about the value, surprisingly good riding experience, etc., this is still far from a “premium” ebike. Riding an ebike from more premium manufacturers, you’ll notice how small touches on the XP4, like the kickstand, overall torque-sensor tuning, etc., speak to how cost was certainly a factor in crafting this ebike. That said, the gap in overall experience is really not as big as the prices would suggest.
The Lectric XP4 and Aventon Sinch 2.5 are very similar ebikes, despite the large gap in prices. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia
The Competition
The field of folding ebikes has grown significantly lately, with a range of options from bottom-tier budget models under $1,000 to the mid-range options around $1,500 and top-tier folding ebikes that start at upwards of $2,000, and very quickly climb into the $3,000-4,000 range. The XP4 sits between the budget models and the mid-range options, providing a much more refined overall look and feel compared to true budget models, but lacking some of the features and upgrades that we see on mid-tier models.
The most direct comparison is likely the Ride1Up Portola. Same price, a similarly sturdy rear rack that can take a second passenger, the biggest difference with the Portola is the use of a cadence sensor rather than the XP4’s torque sensor, and a much smaller and more limited display on the Portola. The Portola felt like a much more equal comparison to the XP 3.0, but with the upgrades on the XP4, I would really only recommend the Portola for those who are hell-bent on a cadence sensor. Otherwise, the various upgrades of the XP4 will provide a better overall riding experience.
In comparison to a more expensive, mid-tier folding ebike such as the Velotric Fold 1 Plus, price notwithstanding, Velotric still takes the cake. It has a slightly better overall look and feel, and better extras like FindMy integration and a SensorSwap system that lets you choose between a cadence and torque sensor. However, the margin is not as wide as the prices would suggest, and upgrading to the XP4 750 makes it a real toss-up of whether you prefer better range and slightly more power with the XP4 750 or better extras and experience with the Velotric Fold 1 Plus.
Another easy comparison is the Aventon Sinch 2.5 ($1,799). While this bike doesn’t provide the same utility of being able to carry a second rider (the rear rack is rated to 55lbs), that won’t be a dealbreaker for everyone. What you get instead is the premium Aventon experience, with looks and a ride feel that is worth every penny of the higher price tag.
Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Lectric’s XP4 proves that you don’t need to pay top dollar for premium features. From big changes like the new torque sensor to small details like turn signals and a full-color display with USB-C charging, Lectric has significantly upgraded the riding experience over the previous generation XP 3.0 without raising the price, at a time when many ebike manufacturers are raising the prices of their pre-existing models to deal with tariffs and inflation.
That’s wildly impressive, especially when you consider just how much they’ve changed over the previous version. And every change, as far as I can tell, was a big improvement. The XP4 750 adds impressive power and range for only $300 more, adding an insane amount of utility and versatility for longer rides and heavier loads. To say that Lectric “hit the nail on the head,” honestly, doesn’t give it enough credit for what it’s done. The XP4 knocks it out of the park.
See the XP4 on Lectric See the XP4 750 on Lectric
Related: Best Folding Electric Bikes | Best Electric Bikes | More Ebike Reviews
