Unagi Voyager Review

Performance Report Summary

Performance has never been Unagi’s strongest suit. That may sound harsh, but this will become more clear as we make our way through the performance report.

Top Speed

Equipped with dual 250W motors that can produce a top speed of 20 mph, the Voyager is nippy for a lightweight scooter.

There's also the additional 200W of peak power (1000W in total) that it holds over its predecessor.

Top Speed vs Price

Compared to the 15 other scooters within its price class, the Voyager is at the bottom of the pile with its sibling, the Model One.

This comparison may not be the best, though. The leader of the pack – the SPLACH Titan – can reach 37 mph thanks to its dual 52V 1000W motors. The Titan, however, serves an entirely different purpose to the Voyager as an entry-level all-terrain performance scooter. Nevertheless, this comparison does demonstrate what a similar budget can get you.

Elsewhere in the rankings, there are cheaper scooters that promise higher top speeds.

The reality is, you’re paying a premium for the Unagi brand and this is evident from its price tag which is commonly associated with more powerful scooters. Whether this is worth it is up to you.

And there is, of course, an elephant in the room: Unagi’s subscription model. This makes it even harder to compare the Voyager to other models.

Top Speed vs Weight

Switching our attention to other scooters that fall within the same weight class, the Voyager can be compared to 23 models. Here, it shares fourth place with 5 other scooters.

If weight is a big factor in your decision-making – which it most likely is – then the cheaper Mosquito is an attractive option. It has a single 500W motor which puts out a peak of 700W and a top speed of 25 mph. It’s also ever so slightly lighter and far more compact thanks to its foldable handlebars and telescopic stem.

Again, it comes down to how big a factor the Unagi brand is for you.

Acceleration

While it may not have the raw speed to placate the more adventurous among us, it does boast a zippy acceleration rate.

Armed with those dual motors and responsive throttle, it can hit 15 mph from a standstill in just 4.4 seconds, outstripping the likes of the Mosquito and Horizon in the process.

Mileage

A notable upgrade that the Voyager brings to the table is its bigger, longer-lasting battery.

While the Model One had a maximum range of 12 miles, the Voyager now has 25 miles – or 14 miles under realistic conditions.

Mileage vs Price

Measured up against the 15 rivals in its price class, it comes fourth from last.

Again, this may not be the best comparison, but it does show that scooters in the same price bracket outperform it.

The winner of this lineup is the dependable EMOVE Cruiser S. Sporting a battery that’s 4.3 times larger than the one in the Voyager (1560Wh vs 360Wh), it promises a 62-mile maximum range under best-case riding conditions (or 38 miles according to our real-world tests).

If we switch our focus to scooters that are cheaper than the Voyager, the likes of the NIU KQi3 Max (40 miles), SPLACH Twin (35 miles), and Apollo Air (31 miles), all outstrip it for mileage. Though, it must be said that these models are significantly heavier and far more bulky.

Mileage vs Weight

Measured up against the backdrop of the scooters in its weight class, the Voyager fares much better. Similar to the speed vs weight comparison, it places fourth alongside 3 other models.

Yet there’s no shying away from the fact that all of the scooters ranked above it are considerably cheaper with the EMOVE Touring and Turboant X7 Max ruling proceedings. The X7 Max is the lighter one of the two and it has the advantage of a detachable battery pack. By purchasing another battery you can double its range from 32 to 64 miles (or 18 to 36 miles under real-world riding conditions) for a total cost of just $720.

Hill Climbing

Pound for pound, the Voyager is the best hill climber among lightweight electric scooters.

But don’t get it twisted, while it may be the best in its category, it’s important to remember that each motor puts out just 250W, while they peak at a combined 1000W. Consequently, the Voyager isn’t made for San Francisco's peaks, but rather for city streets with moderate undulations.

Shock Absorption

I’ve already derided the Voyager for its use of solid tires, which severely hamper its ability to absorb shocks and vibrations. The lack of a suspension system compounds this further, meaning it scores extremely low on our shock absorption scale.

To get the best riding experience you need to stick to smooth roads and sidewalks.

Braking

Armed with dual electronic brakes and a rear stomp fender, the Voyager will bring you to a stop from 15 mph in 3.7 meters. This is impressive for a scooter that doesn’t have any mechanical brakes, such as discs or drums.

Its performance also stands up to its most fierce rivals where it beats both the Mosquito and Horizon by over one meter, equating to a stopping distance that’s 24% shorter.

Ride Quality

If you stick to smooth roads, the combination of the ultra-grippy handlebars, aerodynamic frame, and comfortable deck unite to deliver good handling, while the ergonomic cockpit ensures exceptional control. Although, it must be noted that with a deck-to-handlebar height of 38.5 inches, the Voyager is a little too short for tall riders over 6 ft.

I also can’t ignore the lack of shock absorption, which is the scooter’s greatest downfall when it comes to ride quality. I hope Unagi choose to equip their next scooter with pneumatic tires or a suspension system since this would completely transform the riding experience.