Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC: test & feedback after use

The Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC is clearly positioned as a "serious mid-range" wheel in the Fanatec ecosystem. Officially WRC-licensed and designed for CSL / CSL DD / DD bases, it's aimed at the simracer who wants to move upmarket without going straight to a much more expensive ClubSport wheel.

On paper, it promises a rare combo: rally-inspired looks, realistic diameter, a good level of finish and, above all, broad PC / PlayStation or Xbox compatibility, depending on the base. In practice, what really makes it interesting is the compromise between immersion, ergonomics and price. This is no simple "pretty entry-level steering wheel", but a truly versatile driving tool.

My angle here is simple: how much does this WRC add in terms of feel, comfort and precision compared to more basic steering wheels (P1, McLaren V2, entry-level clones), and does it hold up for someone who plays regularly, even in a league, without falling into the overkill of the Fanatec top range?

Design and manufacturing

First impressions are good. The diameter is more generous than many "GT" steering wheels, which immediately gives a more natural feeling of control, especially in rally and endurance racing. The rim exudes seriousness: metal structure, good-quality plastic front panel, leatherette (or synthetic leather) covering that grips just right. It's not up to the level of a ClubSport in genuine leather, but it doesn't sound "low-cost".

Overall rigidity is satisfactory. No perceptible torsion when pressing hard on the upper part of the rim, and no suspicious creaking. The magnetic paddles are sharp, with a distinct click. They're not as "metallic hardcore" as on some high-end steering wheels, but the action is crisp enough for serious sim racing. You can shift from one gear to the next without a second thought.

What's striking is the overall balance: light enough to remain responsive even on a modest base, yet dense enough to give a real mechanical feel. It doesn't feel like a toy. Visually, the WRC theme adds a rather successful sporting touch, with the logo, colored touches and a design that stands out from the very "pure sim racing" and identity-less steering wheels.

Where it's a little disappointing is in some of the secondary plastics. The buttons don't all have the same feel, and some seem slightly softer or more "mainstream" than on the ClubSport range. For the price, it's still coherent, but anyone coming from a more premium steering wheel will feel it.

Compared to other brands' entry-level steering wheels, we're above them in terms of solid feel, but below the full-metal and full-leather rims that cost much more. It's clear that Fanatec has sought a functional compromise rather than a show of luxury.

Settings, customization and compatibility

As far as settings are concerned, we're on the typical Fanatec basis: everything goes through the base (screen or LED, depending on the model) and the PC software. The steering wheel itself doesn't feature complex menus, but the buttons are well placed for navigating base options or certain games. Once you know a little about the ecosystem, you can adjust the FFB, rotation angle, sensitivity and a few filters without any fuss.

The settings that are really useful for adapting this steering wheel are the angle of rotation and the overall force, as the diameter changes the feel a little compared to a smaller GT steering wheel. On a medium-power CSL DD or DD base, I find it interesting to slightly reduce the gain of the FFB compared to a smaller wheel, to maintain precision in the middle of the wheel's stroke. The larger diameter makes small corrections more natural, but takes a little getting used to.

The learning curve remains simple for a Fanatec user. For someone new to the brand, it will take a little time to tame the software, understand the fine tuning and find your ideal profile. Once the preset has been calibrated for each set, you'll hardly need to touch it again.

In terms of compatibility, there's nothing exotic: PC with no worries, console depending on the base used (Xbox or PlayStation). This is one of the real strengths of this steering wheel: it functions as an all-purpose wheel in the ecosystem. Fanatec pedals, shifters, handbrakes, everything integrates neatly, and the WRC ring simply becomes an interchangeable element on a hub that you can upgrade later.

In terms of upgradeability, this WRC plays its part well: it's a very good entry point for a serious Fanatec setup, but it's not a starter kit. It's perfectly capable of remaining your main steering wheel on several successive bases, even if you switch from the CSL to a beefier Direct Drive. It's not a wheel you want to replace after two months, unless you're aiming for ultra-specialized rims (F1, GT3, etc.).

Fanatec CSL Elite WRC in play: feel and behavior

Once on the track, this steering wheel quickly shows what it can do. The larger diameter is immediately noticeable in slow and medium bends: the car settles more smoothly and progressively. There's less of the "twitchy" feel of smaller steering wheels, especially on Direct Drive bases where torque is generous. Gestures are fuller and more natural, especially in rallying and tight chicanes.

The precision of the force feedback is very good, provided the base is well adjusted. You can clearly feel variations in front-end loads, mass transfers and the moment when grip begins to give way. The steering wheel doesn't turn an average base into a miracle base, but it takes full advantage of the level of detail that a CSL DD or ClubSport base can deliver. You quickly understand what the car is doing, even on an unfamiliar track.

On vibrators, the feel is clean. The edges are well differentiated: you can feel the texture, without falling into a parasitic buzz. With a slightly finer FFB setting, you get a clear reading of the track limits without the steering wheel shaking excessively. In rallying, bumps, compressions and surface irregularities come up legibly without making driving exhausting. It's a good balance between immersion and control.

On big corrections, the steering wheel remains very manageable. In controlled drift or when taking up oversteer, the diameter and shape of the rim allow the steering wheel to slide between the hands and then be taken up cleanly. You can feel the WRC-oriented design logic: lots of mechanical control, even when things get a little out of hand. It's not an ultralight single-seater-type steering wheel, but that's no handicap. On the contrary, the reasonable mass helps stabilize movements.

Over long sessions, consistency is a real strength. The grip remains comfortable, even without gloves. The grip doesn't make you sweat excessively, and the rim section offers good hand support. The most important buttons are accessible without letting go of the control, which becomes appreciable on stints of over an hour. You don't fight the wheel, you work with it.

Compared with a smaller, more basic steering wheel, we clearly gain in immersion and trajectory precision. You get a better feel for how the chassis behaves under downforce, the limit of grip and the way the car reacts to your inputs. Compared with a more high-end steering wheel, ClubSport GT or similar, we lose a little in the "luxury" feel of the materials, but not so much in pure efficiency. For hard sim racing, this WRC doesn't really limit performance, especially on CSL / CSL DD bases.

Where the difference is most noticeable, compared with more modest equipment, is in confidence. You dare to brake later, re-accelerate earlier, try finer trajectories, because the steering wheel sends back stable, coherent information. We know what's going on under the wheels. That's where this model really changes the experience.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

This steering wheel is clearly aimed at the motivated simracer, intermediate or ambitious beginner, who wants a serious steering wheel without going for the very top of the range. On both console and PC, it makes sense for someone who plays regularly, who wants to progress, and who sees the Fanatec ecosystem as a basis for long-term work. An occasional pure beginner may find it a little "overkill", but it remains comfortable to use and easy to read.

What I particularly appreciate is this mix of realistic diameter / ergonomics / versatility. In rallying, GT, touring, even drifting, the WRC adapts without ever giving the impression of being out of place. Immersion is good, control is excellent, and perceived robustness is reassuring. The relationship between the level of finish, the official WRC license and the quality of the FFB received makes this a coherent product in terms of value. There's a clear feeling of having moved upmarket from an introductory steering wheel.

Another positive point is the wide compatibility within the Fanatec ecosystem. You can use it on several bases, integrate it into a setup that evolves over time, add shifter, handbrake, higher-end crankset, without ever feeling "locked in" by your choice of steering wheel.

As for limitations, there are a few to keep in mind. Materials are not up to the level of the most premium wheels: some plastics and buttons lack a little character and feedback. Fans of full metal and high-end leather finishes will be left a little disappointed. The strong WRC theme may also not appeal to everyone, especially those who want a more sober look, like a "neutral" GT steering wheel. Finally, for a player with a strong single-seater/F1 orientation, this diameter and style won't be ideal: they'll naturally prefer a formula-style steering wheel.

In terms of investment, we're talking about a product that requires a sizeable budget, but which holds its own in terms of quality feel, probable duration of use and long-term compatibility. For a Fanatec setup designed to last several years, it holds up perfectly.

Verdict on the Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC

In a Fanatec setup, this WRC steering wheel changes above all the quality of the link between you and the base. It gives you a more realistic diameter, a more natural grip and easy-to-read feedback. You get a better feel for what the car is doing, and you gain finesse in trajectories and confidence on the limit phases. It's a real step upmarket compared with the brand's simpler steering wheels or entry-level rims.

On the market, it occupies a solid mid-range position: more immersive and more serious than a "starter" steering wheel, less luxurious and less exclusive than a ClubSport model. For the majority of regular simracers, it's probably one of the best compromises available from Fanatec, especially if you do a lot of rallying, GT or touring.

I'd clearly recommend it to those who want a versatile, sturdy wheel that's pleasant to hold, and who are considering an upgradeable Fanatec setup. On the other hand, if you're looking for an ultra-premium rim in noble materials or a very compact F1-style steering wheel, this is not the right profile.

If you're looking for an immersive, versatile and credible wheel to accompany a modern Fanatec base, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.