Admittedly, as time goes by, more and more racers are tempted to swap their good old controller for a sim-racing setup complete with steering wheel, base and pedals. I must confess that this was the case for me, a long time ago. I swapped my old Xbox controller for a sim-racing steering wheel, and I haven’t regretted that choice once.

There’s no denying that the market for racing simulation peripherals is crowded with brands and, above all, products. Take Thrustmaster’s catalog, for example: the manufacturer offers a huge range of sim-racing products.

Fortunately for the brand, this choice was not made at random. Thrustmaster has done this in order to offer a product, principally a steering wheel, for each sim-racer, as they have different needs.

In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to one of Thrustmaster‘s top-of-the-range models, the T-GT 2. I’ll tell you about its features, its advantages and also its few drawbacks.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• 28 cm diameter wheel
• 1080° rotation angle
• Aluminum steering wheel center structure
• 15 buttons in total
• 40-watt brushless motor
• Compatible with PS5, PS4 and PC
• Base-mounted cooling system
• Patented technologies T-AEC-Q, T-DCC, T-RTF, T-LIN, T40-VE, T-DFB, T-F.O.C, T-M.C.E, H.E.A.R.T and T-TURBO
• Integrated, easy-to-use Quick Release system
• T3PA GT II crankset included in bundle
• Wireless connectivity

Thrustmaster T-GT 2 design

The Thrustmaster T-GT 2 isn’t actually a steering wheel from nowhere, but the successor, as its name suggests, to the T-GT. Except that the brand didn’t put too much thought into its design, as it’s almost identical to its predecessor, and that’s a real shame.

This steering wheel is officially licensed by Gran Turismo, and therefore follows the stylistic codes of Sony and the title’s development studio. On the whole, it’s a good-looking piece, even if there are a few points that look cheap, including the use of plastic here and there.

The wheel uses brushed aluminum for its structure and leather to cover it. It’s really beautiful and very premium, which is quite a change from the brand’s other steering wheels. In fact, the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 is a high-end device, and this choice of materials goes without saying.

The base is also very attractive, with a very sober, minimalist design. The manufacturer has opted for well-placed grilles, revealing the beast’s innards. This is very well executed, and also ensures excellent air circulation to cool the motor. In fact, the engine doesn’t heat up at all, even after hours of sim-racing.

Customized assembly

Thrustmaster has always offered mounting systems that are both easy to use and very robust, and this is the case with the T-GT 2. Whether you’re using a table, a desk or a cockpit, mounting this steering wheel won’t be a problem.

What’s more, the manufacturer has added a Quick Release system for quick and easy wheel swapping. You can, for example, attach a Ferrari 250 GTO or Formula Wheelwhich are both compatible with the base of this steering wheel, allowing you to use this product for different disciplines(GT, rally, F1, etc.), because let’s face it: the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 ‘s wheel doesn’t allow you to do everything because of its design (entirely round).

Manufacturing and finishing

Once again, the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 delights us with its unparalleled quality and finish. It’s almost perfect, even if I didn’t appreciate the “aluminum” trompe-œil on the bottom of the steering wheel. In reality, it’s a plastic plate, and looks cheap. I would have preferred not to have it at all.

Aside from this one little false note, the rest is just perfect. This is to be expected, given that this is a high-end steering wheel with a high price tag. The leather is well-made and covers the entire wheel. The paddles are aluminum, but a little small. However, they click very well and are ultra-responsive.

As for the base, there’s nothing to say. It’s very well executed, with perfect finishes combining plastic and metal. As for the T3PA GT II crankset, it’s a very well-made product too. It uses metal for its structure and pedals, while offering a pretty decent feel. But more on that later.

Handling the steering wheel

The Thrustmaster T-GT 2 is excellent to hold, with ergonomics that are both studied and well thought-out. All buttons and other controls are well placed and within easy reach. Well, except for a few buttons, but these won’t interfere with driving in any way.

The steering wheel is firm, solid and, above all, doesn’t move at all from its base, provided it’s firmly attached to the setup. Your hands will naturally find themselves at a 9:15 position, but bear in mind that this steering wheel is rather small with its 28 cm diameter. Admittedly, this won’t be a problem for a good proportion of sim-racers, but those who want a quiet ride on certain tracks might find it awkward.

As for the pedals, I think they’re pretty good. The footrest is wide, accommodating just about everyone, and the pedals are well spaced out.

Sensations during play

Let’s talk about the most important aspect of a sim-racing steering wheel: sensations. Simply put, the Thrustmaster T-GT 2 is an inexhaustible source of sensation and an immersive black hole. In an instant, you’ll be teleported inside a Porsche GT3 on the Green Hell.

On a steering wheel with a brushless motor, i.e. those from Thrustmaster, I’ve never felt such sensations. The precision is surgical, and the force feedback is just right. You’ll even be led to doubt that you’re sim-racing in your apartment or house.

Usually, such wheels, i.e. with brushless motors, have blur and/or dead zones in the center. Not so with the Thrustmaster T-GT 2. As soon as you turn the wheel one degree, the car reacts instantly, and the steering wheel provides, in return, everything the vehicle is experiencing.

As for the pedalboard, it’s very good overall, and adds its own touch to immersion. However, the brake is not Load Cell. You just have a rubber bumper and that’s it. For the price of the Thrustmaster T-GT 2, I’d have preferred a better-quality peripheral, or at least one with a Load Cell system.

Thrustmaster T-GT 2 compatibility

The Thrustmaster T-GT 2 is a recent steering wheel. On sale since 2021, it has been developed for the PS5 and Gran Turismo. This makes it compatible with Sony’s latest console, the PS5, as well as the PS4 and PC. So, if you’re looking for a steering wheel compatible with Xbox consoles, I invite you to read this article: The 6 Best Steering Wheels for Xbox in 2025or take a look at our suggestions for alternatives to the T-GT 2 below.

When it comes to sim-racing setups, you have a host of cockpits that support virtually all Thrustmaster products, with brands such as Playseat among others.

However, you should be aware that some technologies, such as the T-DFB steering wheel vibration, are only compatible with Gran Turismo titles, which is a bit of a shame.

Value for money

Priced at around €700, the Thrustmaster T-GT II is positioned in a fairly high price range, especially considering that it still relies on a belt-driven brushless motor – a technology that is beginning to look dated in the face of the rise of direct-drive bases, which are now more accessible.

While the feel is good and well-suited to Gran Turismo 7, more modern alternatives offering better power or upgradability can now be found for a similar or even lower price. The base unit develops a maximum torque of 6 Nm, the aluminum steering wheel is of high quality, and the supplied pedals do the job without being exceptional. In short, a coherent package for GT fans, but one that struggles to stand out from the competition.

My verdict on the Thrustmaster T-GT 2

With the T-GT 2, Thrustmaster has decided to play it safe by offering a steering wheel with a techno the company has mastered very well, and with a high level of immersion. If you’re a Thrustmaster fan, the T-GT 2 is a must-have. But if you’re looking for something more modern and technologically advanced, I’d recommend the Fanatec Gran Turismo, which you can discover by clicking here. Sure, the wheel is plastic, but the motor is a 5 nm Direct Drive. Also, the Fanatec wheel catalog is endless. But if you’re not convinced, I invite you to read my article on the 6 Best Steering Wheels for Sim Racing in 2025.

Alternatives to the Thrustmaster T GT 2