Leoxz XGT Ultimate

Our rating : 9.2/10

If you’re looking for a Formula-style steering wheel, the market is literally full of them. Between those offered by generalist premium brands like Simagic and Fanatec, and those available from elitist manufacturers, it’s very easy to get lost, and to lose an arm too when you see the prices of certain wheels.

For the manufacturers we know, the story is quickly settled. However, there are some names that fly under the radar.

As for unknown brands, we have Leoxz, a manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals that came out of nowhere and has nevertheless managed to make a small name for itself. What we do know is that the brand offers a decent catalog of sim-racing peripherals, including the XGT Ultimate. It’s a Formula/GT-type wheel, in composite with a carbon-fiber faceplate, and it’s on our sim-racing setup. We’ll test it and tell you what it’s worth.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Weight 1.5 kg without QR
• Available for purchase with factory-installed QRs from Simagic, Fanatec or Moza
• Compatible with Playstation (with some limitations), PC and SimHub
• 4.3” IPS front screen for telemetry display
• 14 RGB buttons, 2 funky switches, 5 rotary encoders and 2 thumb switches
• Version with 4 or 6 magnetic rear paddles
• RevLED at the top of the screen, and LED flags at the sides
• Wired (USB) or wireless (2.4 GHz) connection to PC
• 29.5 cm diameter with rectangular shape for Formula
• 4mm-thick carbon fiber faceplate
• Standard 70mm pattern on back for QR
• Polyurethane handles

Design

The design of the XGT Ultimate is hardly a revolution. The company hasn’t reinvented the wheel, and this steering wheel is in line with what other brands are offering in the GT/Formula category. At the front, there’s a very busy faceplate, with over 20 controls in all. You’ve got buttons, encoders, funky switches, LEDs and a central IPS screen. It’s a bit too much as far as I’m concerned, because the controls are RGB, and they throw colors right in your face.

At the rear, you’ll find a choice of 2, 4 or 6 magnetic paddles, and a finish that’s slightly inferior to what the competition has to offer. If you take the steering wheel without QR, you’ll have the PCB visible, and this has certainly been done to reduce the price. All in all, the XGT Ultimate is a rather handsome steering wheel, even if the faceplate is too busy for my taste.

Customized assembly

So that was the surprise. On the rear, you have a standard 70mm mounting pattern that can accommodate many QRs on the market. Asetek, Simucube, Conspit, but also Simagic, Moza and Fanatec. And what’s even more surprising is that the XGT Ultimate can be ordered directly with QRs installed from the last three brands mentioned. It’s clever and very interesting, especially as the steering wheel is powered from the QR. Communication is via USB or 2.5 GHz wireless.

Installing the QR, should you decide to use your own, is pretty straightforward. The pattern is clearly visible, and all you have to do is screw it in place. For wireless communication with your PC or Playstation, you’ll need to purchase a wireless kit, which is sold separately.

Manufacturing and finishing

Well, the build quality of the XGT Ultimate is good, as far as my tests have shown. The structure is composite, which is just a fancy way of saying that it’s plastic reinforced with other materials. Nevertheless, it’s well made, as well as well assembled, and that’s the main thing if you ask me.

For the rear part, the back-plate is made of metal to accommodate the QR of your choice. It’s solid, the wheel doesn’t flex when twisted, and it’s very well finished too. The XGT Ultimate is a wheel that takes on those of Fanatec and Moza Racing, with a selling price that’s downright competitive, if you take it in the basic version of course.

Handling the steering wheel

The wheel is 29.5 cm in diameter, with a rectangular shape. The overall ergonomics of the steering wheel are very good, with controls that are easily accessible while riding. You won’t need to take your hands off the grips to access the controls.

What I noticed, and this is personal, is that the encoders in the center are slightly soft for my taste. They’re rotary by the way, and during the heat of the action, you can kind of turn them and switch between 2 or 3 positions instead of just one. It’s possible this is only on the unit I have, but keep that in mind if you decide to go for the XGT Ultimate.

The grips are made of polyurethane. Frankly, it’s very soft to the touch, which should help during long sessions, and with a good level of grip too. I didn’t need to use gloves with this wheel, for those who are interested.

Sensations during play

What’s the XGT Ultimate worth on a setup? In broad terms, the wheel is good for what it is. Even though the manufacturer, namely Leoxz, uses composite for the XGT Ultimate, the structure is very solid. I didn’t notice any flex at all, and I went straight for the steering wheel, believe me.

The only slight concern – well, not really a concern, but rather a preference developed over time – is the rotaris, which are a little too light for my taste. If you’re flying with gloves on for immersion, because the material of the handles won’t make your hands sweat, and you want to change the position of the encoders, one notch may turn 2, or even 3. I guess you have to please everyone, and this choice was made with that in mind.

Otherwise, for the setup, I used a Fanatec base, the ClubSport DD+ to be precise, and frankly, you’d think the steering wheel came from the German brand’s catalog. Even the base didn’t see anything at all, thinking that it was indeed a Fanatec steering wheel attached to it. It’s all possible thanks to the XGT Ultimate emulator, which allows you to fool the base, otherwise it wouldn’t work.

Compatibility

As mentioned above, the XGT Ultimate is natively compatible with PCs, but you can use it on Playstations with Gran Turismo if you follow a few simple steps. You’ll need the wireless kit to connect the steering wheel to your Wi-Fi network, then bridge to the console, but it’s doable.

For the bases, the rear hub is a standard 70mm pattern. What’s more, the brand offers factory-installed QRs from Fanatec, Moza and Simagic, which frankly isn’t bad.

Value for money

Depending on where you buy the XGT Ultimate, it comes at different prices, starting at €500 and ending at €780.

I’d say the XGT Ultimate is good value for money in absolute terms, if you don’t take on too many options of course.

My verdict

As far as I’m concerned, I enjoyed the races I did with this Leoxz steering wheel. The brand is not at all well known among world racers, and certainly not in Europe.

The XGT Ultimate is still a great wheel to buy, provided you choose your options carefully. If you check off everything, it becomes too expensive, I think, and you might as well buy a wheel directly from another well-known brand. Nevertheless, the XGT Ultimate should be considered with a Fanatec setup, as the German brand doesn’t offer a Formula/GT-style steering wheel with a large central screen, except for the Podium Bentley.