Since its appearance on the sim-racing market, the Chinese brand Moza Racing has certainly evolved from an outsider to a manufacturer worthy of a place on your setup. Moza’s catalog doesn’t include as many products as that of Fanatecwhich more or less dominates the market in this respect, but the few options available are virtually all of high quality.

Moza offers a meagre but decent range, aimed above all at all virtual racers. We have bundles with bases ranging from 3.9 to 12 nm of torque, with different flywheels, but also high-end bases coming out at 16 and 21 nm of torque that seek to compete with the Fanatec Podium DD1 and DD2, in addition to options from Simagic and other premium brands.

Among Moza’s wheels, theES represents the entry-level wheels available from the Chinese manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals. Contrary to Fanatec’s vision, which allows all its wheels to be compatible with all its bases, provided they have the right Quick Release, Moza tends instead to compartmentalize its range. In other words, this inexpensive wheel won’t work on high-end bases. It’s a shame as far as I’m concerned, but that’s the way it is.

Main and technical characteristics of the wheel

• 28 cm diameter with flat bottom
• Aluminum alloy structure
• 18 fully customizable faceplate buttons and 1 D-Pad
• RevLED on top of front panel
• Moza rear Quick Release
• 2 mechanical aluminum alloy vanes
• Leather steering wheel surround with black stitching
• White band at top of steering wheel
• PC compatible with R3, R5, R9 V2 and R12 bases

Moza ESX design

Design is always a subjective element, for the simple reason that a product may be beautiful to me, while you may very well find it hideous. As far as Moza Racing’s steering wheels are concerned, I think they’ve come a long way since they were first launched.

For the ES, the design is sober I must say, with black dominating the build. There are a few dark gray elements on the faceplate, which include the wheel buttons and the brand logo on some kind of plate in the center. On this point, I’d rather have had the Moza logo painted like on the KS or GS, but hey, it passes.

Around the rim, you’ll find fairly well-made leather with black stitching. Once again, the ES is a sober steering wheel that will go well with all sim-racing setups.

Customized assembly

This steering wheel incorporates Moza Racing’s QR, which is based on the D1-Spec. To fit on compatible bases, simply pull the safety ring towards you, align the QR, insert the steering wheel and release the ring. The operation is ultra-quick to perform, and a 5-year-old child can do it without the slightest problem.

As far as base compatibility is concerned, the ES can’t be used on all the brand’s bases, and that’s a real shame. Granted, I realize that such a low-end wheel won’t be considered by a player with the R16 or R21, but it’s still nice to have a cheap option in the corner of your closet, just in case. As a result, the ES can be used on R3, R5, R9 V2 and R12 bases only. Still, that’s a good chunk of Moza’s catalog.

Manufacturing and finishing

Even though this steering wheel is not expensive, the manufacturer has taken the rather noble materials route for this product. The structure of the steering wheel is made of aluminum alloy, but this is not Moza’s usual aviation-industry material. Nevertheless, it’s metal, with plastic for some faceplate elements (mainly where certain buttons are located).

I must admit, the leather around the rim is pretty good. It’s far from the premium leather found on Fanatec’s Podium steering wheels, but it’s still leather on a steering wheel costing less than €200. The finish is very well done, with no apparent flaws, I must say. All the ES components are held in place with screws at the rear, and spacing is tight.

In terms of build quality, it’s clearly a cut above the competition at this price level, and my hat’s off to Moza for that.

Handling the wheel

The steering wheel is just under 28 cm in diameter, making it extremely ergonomic. Buttons are positioned all around the faceplate (18 and 1 D-Pad), and these are easy to reach without your hands leaving their place.

By default, the driving position is 09:15, which is standard on virtually all sim-racing steering wheels, except for a few Formula-type ones.

At the rear, there are 2 good-sized aluminum paddles with the right distance from your fingers. Unfortunately, they’re not magnetic, which is to be expected given the price of this little baby. The sensor is mechanical, but does the job, and that’s the main thing.

Sensations during play

Let me now turn to the in-game feel of this entry-level steering wheel from Moza Racing. First of all, the wheel is small (28 cm in diameter), which makes for an excellent grip. As virtually all buttons are located on the faceplate, ES ergonomics are just as good, allowing you to enjoy some superb sim-racing sessions.

As for the rigidity of the steering wheel, it’s top-notch, despite the fact that the ES is an entry-level wheel. Sure, there’s some plastic in the package, but it’s just a support element for certain parts, including a few controls. The structure is made entirely of aluminum alloy, giving this wheel excellent sturdiness. You can use it on virtually any sim-racing title without the slightest problem; it won’t plug in at all, even with the R12 base. As for the paddles, they click quite well (it’s mechanical) and the spacing between them and the steering wheel is good, I think.

Also, for around fifty euros, Moza offers a mod that transforms this ES steering wheel into a Formula-type wheel. I think it’s cool, clever and, above all, very economical. All you have to do is swap the buttons, the QR and all the rest to change the wheel, because with this mod, all you’ll have is the structure of the steering wheel.

Moza ESX compatibility

For ES compatibility with the Moza ecosystem, it’s the same compartmentalization story: this steering wheel can only be used on R3, R5, R9 V2 and R12 bases. A priori, it’s a question of the method of communication with the base, but then, it’s still an ecosystem that doesn’t enforce compatibility with all its products. Also, this wheel can only be used on a PC, like virtually everything else in the Moza range.

Value for money

Priced at €149, Moza’s ES steering wheel offers excellent value for money, far superior to the competition. You can easily fork out no less than €200 for a steering wheel using premium materials, and add another €80 – €100 for a metal QR. At Moza, you get it all for almost half the price.

My verdict on the Standalone ESX steering wheel from Moza Racing

Honestly, I don’t have much more to say about this steering wheel, other than: buy it without the slightest hesitation! Sure, you don’t get magnetic paddles on the back, and there’s a bit of plastic here and there, and it’s not compatible with all Moza bases. But if you want to shop at this price level, you’re certainly not going to buy an R16 or R21 for your rig, and this steering wheel is compatible with virtually all other Moza bases.

In virtually all cases, except where you want a cheap spare wheel to use with a top-of-the-range base, the ES is for you. I’d recommend it to all pilots on a tight budget, and even to those with more margin, if only to have it as an extra wheel, provided you have the base to go with it.