Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2: test & full review

The ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 is one of Fanatec's "accessible high-end" steering wheels. It's not an entry-level wheel, nor a hyper-specialized F1-type wheel: it's a round, GT/touring-type wheel, designed to cover a maximum number of disciplines with a real demand for feel and finish.

It's very appealing because it ticks so many boxes: realistic diameter, leather, well-stocked control palette, classic yet modern look, and above all direct integration into the Fanatec ecosystem, whether on a ClubSport or Podium base. On paper, it's the "serious all-rounder" that many simracers are looking for as soon as they move upmarket.

My angle with this wheel is simple: does it really offer a gain in precision, comfort and immersion over the brand's more basic wheels, and does it hold its own against other round options on the market? I focused on feel in hand, perceived quality, ease of everyday use and interest in a modern simracing setup, especially with increasingly powerful Direct Drive bases.

Design and manufacturing

In hand, the ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 immediately gives the impression of a serious product. The diameter is realistic for a sports or GT road car steering wheel, with a round, fully leather-wrapped rim. The leather is taut, neither too smooth nor too grainy, with a natural grip that inspires confidence, even without gloves. There's a slight density in the rim, giving it the feel of a "real" automotive steering wheel, not a gaming accessory.

The metal structure, temples and center plate exude rigidity. There's no perceptible flex, even when forcing on the support or turning sharply. The fits between the various parts are clean, and the transitions between leather, metal and plastic are clean, with no unpleasant edges on the fingers. The wheel looks set to withstand hours of Direct Drive without flinching.

The buttons and encoders provide an overall feel of fair to very good quality: straightforward clicks, controlled travel, the little knobs turn with just the right amount of resistance. It's not up to the level of some ultra-premium steering wheels with industrial switches, but for a "high-end consumer" steering wheel, it's still very solid. You want to use it, and that's important on a part you touch all the time.

Where I'm a little more nuanced is on two points. Firstly, some of the plastics around the hub and center front look a little "Fanatec modular": well finished, but not as visually refined as the rim itself. Secondly, the design is very classic, almost too wise for some tastes. If you're looking for an ultra-aggressive racing look or exposed carbon everywhere, this isn't the most spectacular wheel.

Compared to other round steering wheels in the range (or to some competing wheels at the same price), the Classic 2 V2 holds its own in terms of rigidity and grip comfort. It's clearly a step up from an entry-level plastic wheel, close to what you'd expect from an "enthusiast" automotive steering wheel, with that mix of robustness, weight and leather that changes everything in the feel.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 integrates directly into the Fanatec ecosystem. It's a steering wheel compatible with the brand's modern bases, whether PC or console-oriented, depending on the basic version you own. In concrete terms, if you're already in the Fanatec world, getting started is immediate: clip on the wheel, check the firmware via the Fanatec software, and off you go.

As far as settings are concerned, everything goes through the base and the Fanatec software (or the integrated menus on advanced bases). The steering wheel itself provides a good number of buttons, encoders and functions that you can map in games: ideal for managing ABS, TC, engine mixture, radio, etc. The organization of the controls is well thought-out: the main buttons fall naturally under the thumbs, and you don't feel like you're constantly looking for the right key.

For customization, the main interest comes from the diameter and round shape, which make the steering wheel usable in many contexts: GT, road cars, rally, endurance, even drift. The gearshift paddles are well positioned, with a clear click and a pleasant mechanical feel. You'll quickly find your bearings, even if you regularly switch from one type of car to another.

The learning curve is fairly gentle. The Fanatec menus for adjusting the FFB feel, rotation, force or filters remain the same as for the other wheels, so if you're already familiar with the brand, there's nothing new to tame. If you're new to Fanatec, you'll need a little time to get used to the settings, but that's not related to this particular wheel.

In terms of overall compatibility, there are no surprises: PC, console depending on your base, Fanatec pedals, shifters, handbrake, everything fits together naturally. The steering wheel itself doesn't limit your ecosystem. It's clearly a durable option: you can start with a mid-range base and keep it if you later upgrade to a more powerful Direct Drive base, and it'll keep up with you without a hitch.

Sensations in play

Where the ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 really comes into its own is on the track, especially when combined with a Direct Drive base. The realistic diameter and round rim immediately transform the relationship with the FFB. Forces are better distributed in the hands, micro-information flows more naturally, and reading what the car is doing becomes more intuitive.

What struck me was the way the steering wheel lets the nuances of grip show through without becoming tiring. In a long, fast bend, you can feel exactly when the front starts to slip, but the rim doesn't vibrate artificially. The leather cushions the slightest parasites, while allowing variations in steering wheel load to show through. We read the track, not the FFB engine.

On the vibrators, the feel is clean and well controlled. You can feel the track edges, the aggressive vibrators and the smoother sections, but the wheel doesn't clatter in your hands. The rigid structure avoids distortion and parasitic noise, which contributes greatly to the impression of solidity. You can ride the vibrators with confidence, without fear of the material overloading or going off in all directions.

The diameter and roundness of the steering wheel help enormously with fast transitions and emergency corrections. You can make quick handovers, correct the onset of oversteer, catch up with a stalling car, all while maintaining a good point of contact. Compared with a smaller, more compact F1 or modern GT-type steering wheel, you lose a hair in raw rotation speed, but gain in fine control and stability. For "clean" driving, this compromise works very well.

FFB precision obviously depends on the base, but the Classic 2 V2 doesn't spoil anything. On the contrary, it lets the base express itself. On a less powerful belt-driven or entry-level base, this wheel brings a real plus in feel, simply through its geometry and grip. There's more leverage, more control, and the perceived forces seem more progressive and natural. On a more powerful base, such as a beefy Direct Drive, it holds its own: the rigidity of the rim means you can take advantage of the signal's finesse without flexing.

Over long sessions, comfort is one of its strong points. The leather doesn't tire the hands, and the rim section is thick enough for the fingers to rest comfortably, but not so thick that you feel like you're holding a barbell. Even after an endurance ride, fatigue comes more from the body than from the hands. The weight of the steering wheel remains reasonable so as not to exaggerate the force feedback, while offering that realistic inertia that makes transitions more natural.

In terms of immersion, this steering wheel makes the link between the game and you in a very credible way. On a GT3, a road car or a racing sedan, you get the impression that the shape and diameter "stick" to what you see on the screen. It may seem trivial, but when the brain sees a round steering wheel, and the hands hold a round steering wheel of plausible size, immersion goes up a notch. You immediately understand what the car is doing, and it's easier to dare to go for the limit.

Compared to a more basic wheel, either too light or very plastic, the difference is clear: you feel as if you've gone from a game accessory to a real cockpit element. Compared with even more high-end, highly specialized wheels, the Classic 2 V2 is an excellent compromise: less extreme, more versatile, yet precise and immersive enough for demanding pilots.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

The ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 is clearly aimed at an intermediate to advanced audience, but it may also be suitable for a motivated beginner who wants to invest directly in something long-lasting. If you race mainly on PC, with a mix of GT, road and endurance cars and possibly a little rallying, this versatile round format makes a lot of sense. On consoles, it's still worthwhile as long as your base is compatible.

Among the strong points that stand out, the overall quality of manufacture is a real argument: rigidity, pleasant leather, clean assembly, everything contributes to creating a feeling of confidence. The second major asset is the rim's comfort and realism: consistent diameter, natural grip, very good fatigue management over long sessions. Last but not least, the rim's versatility is a real plus: with just one wheel, you can cover a wide variety of disciplines without ever feeling "out of place".

There are, however, a few limits to keep in mind. Firstly, the price positioning clearly places it in the category of well-considered investments: we're no longer in the budget accessory business, but in a product we're buying for the long term. For some, this may sting if the rest of the setup isn't up to scratch. Secondly, the very classic aesthetic may seem a little too conservative for those who like aggressive designs, with lots of carbon or LEDs. Finally, this round steering wheel isn't ideal for everything: if you're focused almost exclusively on modern single-seaters or eSports with ultra-fast inputs, a more compact, F1-style steering wheel will be more suitable.

In terms of perceived value, it remains coherent: you're paying for leather, metal, clean integration into the Fanatec ecosystem and a product you can keep by changing base or cockpit. It's not the absolute rational choice for a very small budget, but for someone who sees their setup as a progressive investment, the Classic 2 V2 ticks a lot of relevant boxes.

Verdict

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Classic 2 V2 clearly raises the level of a setup, especially if you're switching from a plastic or too-light steering wheel. It provides a more realistic feel, better control and more natural immersion, without going overboard or over-specializing. It's typically the kind of wheel you'll keep for a long time, even if you upgrade the rest of your equipment.

On the market, it's positioned at the top end of the consumer range: above basic wheels, below ultra-premium or made-to-measure steering wheels. It plays the versatility and seriousness card rather than the spectacular one, which makes it very interesting for a simracer who wants a single main steering wheel to do almost everything.

I'd particularly recommend it to multi-discipline racers who like the feel of a real car and want a wheel that can follow a Direct Drive base without flinching. If you're only into modern single-seaters, or if you're looking for an ultra-racing look with a thousand exotic features, you'll find more suitable elsewhere.

If you're looking for a round, versatile, solid and immersive steering wheel to accompany or upgrade a Fanatec base, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.