Turboant V8 Review

Design

Handlebars

The first noteworthy detail here is that the V8’s handlebars are 3.4 inches wider than those found on its sibling, the X7 Max.

This makes a real difference when it comes to handling. Though, standing taller at 49.2-inches compared to the V8’s height of 45.5-inches, the X7 Max remains a better fit if you’re tall (i.e. above 6 ft).

Aside from the improved width, the handlebars are typically Turboant: clean and simple. We’re big fans of the ergonomic thumb throttle, while the grips are sufficiently grippy to ensure your hold always feels secure.

Crowning the center of the handlebars is an LCD display that gives you oversight of your vital stats, while on the left-hand side you’ll find the lever for the rear disc brake.

Everything on the V8’s handlebars is positioned perfectly for optimized functionality.

Frame

There’s no getting around the fact that the Turboant V8 is a hefty, almost ugly-looking scooter. If it came down to aesthetics, the elegant X7 Max would win hands down.

While I’ve referred to some scooters in the past as prioritizing style over substance, the opposite can be said of the V8.

After taking the V8 out on its inaugural test tide, its ride quality immediately surprised me. Its clunkiness actually improves the scooter’s maneuverability, while the more balanced distribution of weight across the stem and chassis immediately gives you a sense of stability that you don’t get from other scooters – like the Turboant X7 Max which has an extremely top-heavy design where 75% of the weight is on the stem, making the chassis incredibly light.

The V8 is also one tough customer. The aluminum-alloy, water-resistant frame will handle anything your daily routine can throw at it, improving the model’s longevity and freeing your mind from any concerns about protecting it from the city’s many hazards.

It’s the tank of the budget scooter battlefield.

Deck

It will not surprise you to learn that such a clunky scooter comes with a pretty sizable deck, which is a real plus point for larger riders.

Suitably grippy and sporting a fin-like design at the rear, it’s the first Turboant scooter that comes with a kickplate that you can use to position your feet in a more aggressive riding stance.

However, considering that the deck houses one of the V8’s batteries, it does lose some ground clearance, meaning you can’t roll up or down curbs and should exercise caution when riding over other obstacles. By comparison to the Turboant X7 Max which has a thin deck, it loses out on 1.2 inches of clearance.

Wheels

This is a Turboant scooter, so you can bet your mortgage on it coming equipped with plush tires. Measuring at 9.3-inches, these air-filled beauties work admirably alongside the rear suspension to deliver a smooth, cushioned urban ride.

Unlike other popular budget scooters – including those from Turboant – the tires benefit from perfect curvature with a three-dimensional tread pattern that wraps around the tire.

Typically, scooters of a similar price and category will sport tires that have a much slicker tread pattern and a front-on profile that is rounded but comes to an edge on either side.

The benefit of those on the V8 is that they more effectively grip the ground, meaning they deliver a superior riding experience when carving from side to side. Ultimately, they ensure that you always maintain control, even when cornering at speed.

Build Quality & Durability

Turboant is a brand hailed for its resilient build quality, and the V8 is perhaps the purest expression of that heritage.

The best way to describe the V8’s build quality is basic yet robust, with a nod to durability and longevity.

It may not be the most refined build and it certainly isn’t the most beautiful scooter, but one thing is for sure, there are no chinks in its armor while riding it.

Weight & Load

At 48 lbs, it can’t exactly be classed in the portable scooter category. But it does carry two batteries, so I’ll cut it some slack.

And though it's a struggle to carry this mini-juggernaut over long distances, the V8 does make amends with its impressive 275 lbs load-bearing capacity.

Folding & Portability

One of my favorite features of the V8 is its simple 5-second folding mechanism, which makes it refreshingly easy to compact down.

Via a simple folding lever and a safety latch that pins the folding mechanism in place, the V8 is as solid as a rock when folded and unfolded.

Though it may not be the smallest or lightest scooter, it can be easily stowed away in a car or storage space, while taking it on public transport should be no headache.

Assembly

You’ll be understandably chomping at the bit to take your new toy out for a spin as soon as you receive it, and the good news is that the Turboant V8 comes virtually ready to roll out of the box.

All you need to do is attach the handlebars to the stem with the tools provided, and hey presto, you’re ready to conquer the city.

Ride Quality

Is the Turboant V8 Comfortable to Ride?

The V8 is without a doubt Turboant’s best scooter in terms of ride quality.

As previously mentioned, the V8 benefits from an equal distribution of weight across both its stem and chassis, and this makes a significant difference to the level of control and handling that the scooter affords.

Most notable of all, however, is the elongated hexagonal shape and weight of the stem. It almost feels as though the steering column has a built-in damper. As a result, the handlebars feel stable throughout every ride. There’s also no wobble at high speeds.

This isn’t all that makes the V8 enjoyable to ride, though. The dual spring suspension at the rear works in tandem with plush air-filled tires to soften the blow of the majority of surface imperfections.

If I had to describe the V8’s ride quality in two words it would be: confidence-inspiring. The biggest factor that aids its ability to deliver a fun ride is its stability. This makes it perfect for beginners but also gives more experienced riders the freedom to dip, dive, and weave through city environments.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Powered by a 36V 450W brushless motor, the Turboant V8 can hit a top speed of 20 mph, making it perfectly suited to busy environments.

You can also activate one of three riding modes: Eco will limit your speed to conserve battery life, Comfort will place the focus on a balanced riding experience, and Sport will allow you to put the pedal to the metal.

Let's look at how the V8 stacks up against scooters within its price and weight classes.

Speed vs Price Comparison

At $799.98, 18 other models within a range of $500 can be compared to the V8.

The Turboant V8 is a mid-level performer when balancing speed against price, but its similarly-priced competition is typically associated with 500W and 600W motors, as shown by the majority of scooters that outpace it – including the Apollo Air 2022, Horizon, and Mosquito.

The SPLACH Twin, on the other hand, blows all other models – including the V8 – out the water with its dual 48V 600W motors, and 28 mph top speed.

While it may not achieve a podium position, the V8 undoubtedly places more emphasis on range and utility. It’s with these qualities that it truly shines within its price category (which we’ll see later on in the review).

Speed vs Weight Comparison

Shifting the focus to scooters that sit within the same weight class as the Turboant V8 reveals a similar story to the price comparison.

Here, the V8 has its clunky frame to blame with a middle-of-the-class ranking when pitted against 5 other models.

In simple terms, its 450W can’t compete with the likes of the SPLACH Twin which carries 2.7 times more motor power.

Acceleration

As we’ve established, speed is not the V8’s calling card. It brings no surprises into the equation when we look at acceleration, either.

Despite having a motor that is 29% larger than its sibling – the Turboant X7 Max – the extra power is negated by its heavier frame. Here, it only beats the X7 Max to 15 mph by fractions of a second. It does, however, gain quite the advantage over the GoTrax GMAX Ultra.

Reaching 15 mph from a standstill in 6.3 seconds, the V8 trails behind the SPLACH Twin’s rapid 3.0 seconds by quite a distance. But, this is to be expected considering the Twin’s dual motors.

Overall, the acceleration and responsiveness of the throttle are ideal for first-time riders and those that want to cruise, as opposed to race.

Range

Armed with two 36V 7.5Ah batteries – one of which is removable – range is where the Turboant V8 turns heads.

Combined, the batteries can deliver an extraordinary maximum manufacturer-quoted range of 50 miles, though under our realistic riding conditions we got closer to 25 miles.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Compared to 18 other models within a price range of $500, the V8 is in a league of its own – on the surface at least.

That’s because its closest competitor, the GoTrax GMAX Ultra, has a larger 367V 17.5Ah battery that can store 17% more energy (540Wh vs 630Wh). It also uses superior LG cells, which leads me to believe that the V8’s maximum mileage credentials have been, let’s say, massaged.

But, there’s an elephant in the room that we simply can’t ignore: the V8’s detachable battery. This grants you the potential for added capacity that the GoTrax cannot match. So, with all things considered, the V8 just about deserves its leader-of-the-pack status.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Moving to our comparison of the scooters in the V8’s weight class, it once again sweeps the floor with the rest of the scooters achieving the top ranking.

However, the GMAX Ultra closely follows the V8 in the rankings. Considering that the GoTrax is far easier to carry – thanks to its slender stem that you can grip one-handed – it should be considered if portability is important to you.

Hill Climbing

As with all scooters that sport similar-sized motors to the V8, it has enough power to scale gradual inclines but slows considerably on anything more challenging.

If you plan to ride in a hilly area, we recommend checking our guide to the best hill-climbing electric scooters.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

This is an area of real strength for the V8. Compared to other Turboant models, which come with no suspension, the V8 represents a real leap forward for the brand.

The dual rear springs allow the deck to pivot up and down, but they do feel somewhat stiff. The good news is that they loosen over time to calibrate with your weight. The result is a smooth ride that will make a mockery of bumps and lumps in the road.

Braking

With the mechanical disc brake and electronic braking system slowing the scooter, our tests show it can come to a complete stop from 15 mph in 4.7 meters.

Although distinctly average in terms of performance for budget scooters, it’s lacking when compared to its cheaper sibling, the Turboant X7 Max which can come to a stop in 3.0 meters.

Charge Time

Both batteries can be charged in 4 hours.

Thankfully, the V8 comes with a battery dock and two charging adapters so that you can recharge both batteries simultaneously.

Extra Features

Responsive LCD Display

In what’s a first for Turboant scooter – and for that fact, for any scooter that we’ve reviewed – the LCD display is responsive, meaning it reacts to your input.

If you pull lightly on the brakes, for example, then a quartet of bars – each representing a greater intensity of strength – will light up. The harder you pull on the brake lever, the higher the bar count will be. The same interactivity is seen when accelerating.

Aside from its responsive interface, the display is fairly simple. You’ll be able to track your speed, battery life, riding mode, and a few other pieces of information including the status of your lights and cruise control (i.e. on or off) via icons.

My one criticism? The display is rendered useless in direct light. You can’t see anything, which is less than ideal.

Headlight, Taillight & Deck LEDs

The V8 comes with a pretty neat lighting rig. Together, it represents a huge improvement on all the previous models that the brand has released.

Leading from the front is a 3W LED headlight that is similar to that sported by the X7 Max. Where it ups the ante, however, is with a coterie of ambient lights embedded into the front and rear of the deck. A smokey taillight completes the package.

I’d go as far as to say that it has the best lighting package of any entry-level scooter.

Removable Stem Battery & Charging Dock

Let’s be real: the detachable battery is what truly sets the Turboant V8 apart from other scooters in its price and weight classes.

Working alongside the battery in the deck, it’s a real game-changer if you don’t want battery life to encumber your plans for the day.

Removing the battery is super simple, too. You pull up on the small knob that’s positioned at the top of the stem and pull the battery outwards until it is freed from the cavity. Once you’re ready to place it back, you repeat the process and lower the knob to lock it into position.

And don’t forget, there’s always the option of buying a spare battery for $199.98.

IP54 Water-Resistance Rating

Equipped with an IP54 water-resistance rating, the V8 can breeze through small puddles and be ridden in the rain without fear of things going sideways.

As with any scooter, I strongly suggest leaving it at home if there’s a heavy downpour. Though it’s splash-proof, it's best not to expose it to rain for prolonged periods.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Being a Turboant scooter, the V8 comes with a standard 12-month warranty that covers structural parts, as well as the display, outer tires, and charging cables. The batteries, chargers, controller, motor, and lights, however, are covered for 6 months.

If you experience any defects with any of the above, Turboant will honor free repairs and replacements within the warranty time frames, so long as you provide photographic or video proof with your claim.

As is customary with many brands, the warranty does not cover general wear and tear, misuse, cosmetic damage, neglect, alterations, or improper assembly.