Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Round 1 V2 for Xbox : test & full review

On paper, the Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Round 1 V2 for Xbox ticks a lot of boxes. Round steering wheel, realistic diameter, native Xbox compatibility, ClubSport integration, serious construction... It's clearly aimed at the simracer who wants something versatile, credible and usable in GT as well as rally or drifting, without falling into the exotic.

This model promises a balance between "sports car-like" immersion and the refinement of the Fanatec ecosystem. It's not an ultra F1-type steering wheel, nor a huge GT LM, but a real "daily driver" for simracing. The one you keep permanently mounted on the base because it works in 90 % situations.

My angle here is simple: feel in hand, perceived quality, control ergonomics and consistency with a modern Fanatec base (including Direct Drive). I'm also looking at what this Round 1 V2 offers in concrete terms, compared with the entry-level Fanatec wheels and the more high-end rims in the catalog. To put it plainly: does it deserve its place as the main wheel in an Xbox/PC-oriented setup, or is it rather a "good second wheel"?

Design & manufacturing: a serious round steering wheel, without unnecessary fuss

In hand, this ClubSport Round 1 V2 immediately gives a serious impression. The diameter is well chosen for multi-purpose use, neither too small for single-seaters nor too large for utility vehicles. We're talking about a "road sports steering wheel" format, which makes it easier to get to grips with for those who've come from the real world or want to rediscover their natural bearings.

The materials breathe premium mid-range. The central metal structure inspires confidence, and the temples don't twist, even under heavy Direct Drive loads. The hoop is rigid, with no parasitic flex perceptible under violent lateral pressure. You can feel that the steering wheel has been designed to withstand hours of play on a powerful base.

The lining is one of the most important points. As far as I'm concerned, it's a good compromise between comfort and support. The texture is grippy enough to keep your hands firmly planted in "hot" conditions, without becoming aggressive like some overly rough alcantara. You can play for a long time without gloves without finding your hands on fire. For mixed use, this is a real plus.

What's surprising is the degree of maturity of the finish for this segment. The buttons are well integrated, the silk-screen printing legible, and the overall look clean. It's not at the level of a top-of-the-range ClubSport GT3-type steering wheel, but there's no sense of great compromise either.

What's a little disappointing is the rather sober, almost "wise" visual aspect. If you're coming from a more spectacular steering wheel, with exposed carbon and massive paddles, this Round 1 V2 may seem a little understated. You get the feeling that the objective was functionality before visual showmanship.

Compared with entry-level Fanatec wheels or simpler wheels from other brands, this model has a clear advantage in terms of perceived rigidity and hoop density. This is no light shell: you really get the impression of having an object designed to last in an intensive simracing environment.

Settings, customization & compatibility: a truly versatile Xbox/PC hub

This ClubSport Steering Wheel Round 1 V2 integrates seamlessly into the Fanatec ecosystem. It clips on via the usual QR system, and instantly becomes the "Xbox brain" of your compatible base. Having an Xbox license directly integrated really simplifies life: immediate recognition on console, logically mapped buttons, headache-free navigation through console menus.

As far as settings are concerned, everything that counts takes place in the base and in the Fanatec software, but the steering wheel offers enough controls to adjust parameters on the road. There are a reasonable number of well-spaced buttons, and their positioning is fairly intuitive. You'll quickly find your bearings for the key functions: changing brake mix, ABS, TC, engine map or FFB settings on the fly, depending on the base you're using.

Learning is easy for users already familiar with the Fanatec ecosystem. For someone new to the system, it may take a little time to memorize the button correspondences, especially in Xbox use where the system keys come into play. But there's nothing to stop you: after a few sessions, you'll be able to navigate without a second thought.

In terms of personalization, we're not talking about a steering wheel that can be modulated to the extreme, but the round hoop offers great freedom of hand positioning, which counts for a lot. The paddles are easy on the fingers, with clean clicks and no excessive play. They're not up to the level of the best ClubSport heavy-metal paddles, but they're still satisfying for this segment.

Compatibility with the Fanatec ecosystem is a real plus. Pedals, shifters, handbrakes, older Direct Drive or belt drive bases: this wheel integrates frictionlessly into an existing setup. It's perfect for use as the main wheel on an Xbox-ready base, and for keeping other, more specialized rims (F1, GT) for certain games.

As far as scalability is concerned, this Round 1 V2 is more like a durable center of gravity in a setup. It's not a simple "cheap entry point" that can be quickly replaced. It can clearly remain your default wheel, even if you go upmarket on the basics and then complete with other, more typical wheels.

Sensations at play: a round steering wheel that clearly transmits what the car is doing

Once on the track, this ClubSport Round 1 V2 quickly reveals its main attraction: its versatile handling. In the corners, the steering wheel offers a precise reading of load transfers. On a Direct Drive base, every variation in tire grip is transmitted to the hands without being diluted. You can feel the limit coming up, not as a brutal wall, but as a zone where the steering wheel gradually lightens up before stalling.

Force feedback accuracy obviously depends on the base, but the flywheel itself doesn't "blur" the information. The rigid hoop, correct density and round shape really help to control the angle at the start of a curve. In a tight hairpin, you can easily let the wheel slip through your fingers, then catch it smoothly, without fighting against excessive inertia.

On vibrators, behavior is very clear. The small vertical oscillations rise with clarity, without becoming vibrating or unpleasant in long sessions. It's immediately clear when you're biting the vibrator a little too hard and the car starts to become unbalanced. This kind of precise feedback helps enormously in adjusting your trajectory to the millimetre. "You immediately understand what the car is doing." And that's exactly what you'd expect from a serious steering wheel.

Grip reading on a dry track is very good. You can clearly see when the tire slips slightly but remains under control, compared with when it really stalls. In more unstable conditions (rain, rally, dirt), the round hoop comes into its own: quick countersteering, wide angles, instinctive corrections. You have enough leverage to control and catch the car without forcing it, which is more difficult with a small F1-type steering wheel.

Over long sessions, comfort is decent. The coating prevents abrasion, and the round shape lets you alternate hand positions to take the strain off your wrists. You can ride for a long time without feeling any particular discomfort, especially if the base is intelligently adjusted. With a very powerful Direct Drive, you'll need to smooth out the force curve a little to avoid turning every session into a weight training session, but the steering wheel can take it without a hitch.

For quick corrections, this Round 1 V2 responds well. You can give it a quick jerk to recover oversteer and return to neutral without losing control. The mass of the steering wheel seems well balanced: enough weight to avoid looking like a toy, but not too much to slow down the dynamics of the base. Compared with a small, very light steering wheel, we lose a little extreme liveliness, but gain in stability and real-car-like sensations.

Compared to a more basic entry-level wheel, the difference is felt above all in the clarity of feedback and overall rigidity. The wheel doesn't "float". Compared to a more high-end, ultra-racing model with more controls, this Round 1 V2 is less spectacular, but much easier to live with on a daily basis. It's a steering wheel that lets you concentrate on driving, without imposing a specific riding style or discipline.

In the end, immersion is solid: you don't feel like you're holding an accessory, but a real sports car steering wheel adapted to simracing. Confidence comes quickly, and when you start attacking, this steering wheel keeps pace without giving the impression of being at the limit of what it can handle. "It's the kind of steering wheel you forget about... because it does what it's supposed to do, all the time, without drama."

Who's it for? Strengths & limitations to be aware of

This Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Round 1 V2 for Xbox is clearly aimed at the simracer who wants a serious, Xbox/PC-compatible main steering wheel that's ready to progress over time. Motivated beginners already using a Fanatec base can take it as their first steering wheel without fear. An intermediate or experienced gamer will find it an excellent "daily" for driving a wide variety of titles: GT, endurance, rally, light drift, even a bit of open road.

Among the points I appreciate most, versatility comes out on top. Round shape, consistent diameter, well-placed controls: you can do everything, from Forza to a hardcore sim, without ever feeling out of place. Overall rigidity and perceived quality are a close second. Nothing squeaks, nothing moves, the paddles respond cleanly, and the steering wheel holds up perfectly on a powerful base. Xbox integration is also a real selling point: plug in, recognize, play.

There are, however, some limitations to bear in mind. Firstly, the rather sober visual style won't appeal to those who want a very "racing" steering wheel, with exposed carbon and a prototype look. Secondly, the number of buttons remains reasonable: sufficient for the majority of games, but not as rich as some steering wheels packed with rotaries and switches, useful for endurance or highly complex sims. Finally, its price positioning makes it a real investment: it's above entry-level wheels, so you have to be prepared to keep it for a long time to get good value.

In terms of perceived value, this steering wheel defends itself well. You can feel where the money is going: serious construction, Xbox integration, broad ecosystem compatibility, clear in-game feel. For someone who sees simracing as a regular hobby, and not just an impulse buy, the investment is justified. For a very occasional gamer, it can be a lot for a simple round wheel, and a simpler model may suffice.

Verdict: a solid daily driver in the Fanatec ecosystem

The Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Round 1 V2 for Xbox brings something very important to a setup: a credible, rigid, comfortable and truly versatile main steering wheel that won't hamper progress over the long term. It's particularly well suited to an Xbox/PC environment where you want to take advantage of Direct Drive or a more muscular Fanatec base without multiplying the number of wheels from the outset.

On the market, it is clearly positioned in the premium mid-range. Above the "bundle" wheels delivered with certain bases, below the ultra-typical and very expensive rims of the ClubSport / Podium range. It's an interesting pivot to build a setup around: start with this wheel to do it all, then add a very racing GT or F1 later on.

I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a serious main wheel that can be used on many games, and who wants to take advantage of their Fanatec basics without compromising on feel. For the hardcore single-seater or GT3 gamer, a more specialized steering wheel will make more sense. For the ultra-tight budget gamer, a simpler model will suffice as a starter.

If you're looking for a versatile, well-built, Xbox-compatible round wheel capable of keeping up with your progress on a Fanatec base, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.