Fanatec CSL Universal Hub V2: my opinion after use

The Fanatec CSL Universal Hub V2 is positioned as the centerpiece for those who want to exploit "real" steering wheels (GT, drift, rally, F1 style) while remaining in the CSL range, and therefore more affordable than the brand's top-of-the-range hubs. Above all, it promises to transform any compatible rim into a steering wheel that can be used on a Fanatec base, without sacrificing buttons, paddles or console compatibility.

What makes it so appealing is the combination of modularity and Fanatec's promise of quality. You can think of it as a sim racing Lego: you choose your rim, you choose your base, you clip it on and off you go. On paper, it's the perfect product for those who don't want to buy a complete steering wheel for every discipline.

My angle of analysis is simple: ergonomics, in-game sensations and real added value compared to basic Fanatec bundles. I'm looking at what concrete changes it makes at the wheel, how the hub is forgotten (or not) in the middle of a race, and whether it's worth the investment for a setup that wants to evolve without blowing the budget.

Design and manufacture: serious, with a few compromises

Visually, the CSL Universal Hub V2 is very much a "work tool". This is not a showcase steering wheel, but a functional piece. The metal/plastic mix is obvious: the main structure and mounting plate exude rigidity, while certain shells and external elements betray the CSL range, which is more accessible than the ClubSport line.

First impressions are positive. The hub has good density, without being a brick. It inspires confidence, and feels like it can handle thousands of turns of the wheel on a Direct Drive basis without flinching. The buttons feel right under the fingers, the encoders click cleanly, and the paddles give a rather straightforward mechanical feel, without excessive play.

Where it disappoints slightly is on a few finishing details. Some plastics feel a little hollow and lack the premium feel of the brand's more expensive hubs. Nothing dramatic, but if you come from a ClubSport steering wheel or a higher-end product, you'll immediately notice the difference in materials.

In terms of rigidity, once a rim is mounted, the whole remains solid. No worrying flex, even on larger rims. On moderate Direct Drive, it holds up very well. Compared to entry-level plastic steering wheels, we're clearly taking a step up in perceived reliability and durability. Compared with more upmarket hubs, we feel that priority has been given to functionality rather than luxury.

In the end, the design of the CSL Universal Hub V2 does exactly what we ask of it: robust, modular, not flashy. You look at it once, then you use it.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The heart of this product is customization. The hub allows you to attach a standard 6-hole rim and reposition the button modules to suit your riding style. The freedom isn't as total as with some 100 % custom kits, but there's enough room for everyone to find a comfortable configuration.

The menus and operating modes are easy to understand if you're already familiar with the Fanatec ecosystem. Buttons are mappable in games as they are on any steering wheel, and the main controls fall nicely under the fingers on most rims. The learning curve has more to do with your rim than with the hub itself: once you know your buttons, you don't think about them anymore.

In terms of useful settings, the main interest lies in the physical configuration: paddle distance, position of button blocks, general orientation. Everything you need to adapt the hub to a GT, rally or drift steering wheel is here. On a Direct Drive base, you can take full advantage of the rigidity of the assembly, without having to sacrifice modularity.

As far as compatibility is concerned, the hub remains true to Fanatec logic: PC without worries, consoles depending on the base to which it's connected. The important thing to remember: it's not the hub that makes your setup console-compatible, but the base. If your base is compatible, the hub follows.

The surrounding ecosystem is naturally very rich: pedals, shifters, handbrake, everything integrates into an already Fanatec setup. The CSL Universal Hub V2 clearly plays a pivotal role in an evolving setup. You can start with a simple rim and, later, add a more GT or drift-type rim, without changing everything else.

It's not just an entry point. It's an element you can keep for a long time in a setup that's moving upmarket, as long as you stay within the Fanatec ecosystem.

Sensations en jeu: the hub that knows how to be forgotten

Where the CSL Universal Hub V2 really comes into its own is when you pair it with a good Direct Drive base and a rim suited to your discipline. The hub itself doesn't generate any sensations, but it conditions the way you receive and exploit them.

For accurate feedback, the rigidity of the assembly is essential. With this hub, the force and vibrations transmitted by the base arrive neatly and cleanly. No parasitic flex to blur the force feedback. Micro-movements, load transfers and small stalls are clearly visible. You immediately understand what the car is doing.

When cornering, especially on sharp simulations, this "solid" feel boosts confidence. Slight trajectory corrections are made naturally, the rim doesn't move in the hub, and the paddles stay in place under your fingers even when you counter-steer. You don't fight the material, you work with it.

When it comes to reading the grip, the difference is particularly noticeable if you come from an entry-level wheel with more play or flex. In this case, every load variation in the steering wheel is felt more directly. When you start to overdrive, you're more aware of the moment when the front begins to unload or the rear starts to come off. This doesn't increase the power of the FFB, but it does refine the way you receive it.

On vibrators and curbs, the feel is dry and clean, with no strange resonance from the hub. Clatter is consistent with the base. It's mainly the rim that colors the feel (more or less mass, diameter, material), but the hub doesn't add its own "noise". That's a good thing: you keep the base's signature, not the hub's.

In long sessions, comfort depends very much on the rim you use, but the hub doesn't tire. The paddles fall nicely, and the position of the knobs is adaptable enough to avoid awkward contortions. The materials don't creak, nor do they take on any perceptible play after a few hours. It's this kind of detail that really changes your relationship with the material.

On fast corrections, drifting or in emergency situations on the track, the mounting remains stable. Violent changes of direction don't compromise the rim's hold. You can let go of the steering wheel, let it come back, catch up: the hub follows without flinching. Exactly what you'd expect from a part like this.

Compared to an entry-level all-in-one steering wheel, there's a clear gain in the seriousness of the connection between your hands and the base. There's less wobble and more precision. Compared with a higher-end Fanatec hub, the difference lies more in the finish and comfort than in pure rigidity in "normal" use.

In terms of overall immersion, this hub has one quality I really appreciate: it knows how to disappear. Once it's set up properly with the right rim, you don't think about it anymore. You're thinking about the vibrators, the grip, your trajectory. And that's often a sign that the product is doing its job.

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

The CSL Universal Hub V2 is aimed above all at sim racers who are already committed or motivated to become so, and who want to take the next step in customization without going into the very high-end. A complete novice can use it, but he'll get more value from it if he's already had a few hours of riding and has a clear idea of what he wants in terms of rim type.

For an intermediate PC user with a Fanatec base who wants a more realistic rim or one better suited to his discipline (GT, touring, rally, drift), this is a very coherent option. On consoles, it's still relevant, provided you're sure of the base's compatibility beforehand.

What I really like is the feeling of functional solidity. It's like adding a serious link in the chain between the chainstay and the hands. The modularity of knobs and paddles is flexible enough to adapt the hub to several rims over time. And the value / versatility ratio is good for someone who wants to invest once in a hub, and then only change rims.

As far as limitations are concerned, the first is total dependence on the Fanatec ecosystem. If you're not already with them, or if you're thinking of switching brands later, this hub loses interest. If you're looking for full metal, ultra-premium materials and a showcase look, this isn't the place. Finally, the price, added to the cost of a decent rim, can climb quite quickly. We're talking about a well-considered investment, not a little accessory.

In terms of perceived value, it all depends on your use. If you plan to use several rims on the same base, the hub becomes a real pivot that justifies its place in the budget. If you always ride with a single wheel and don't plan to change it, a complete wheel already optimized may be simpler.

Verdict: a serious pivot for an evolving setup

The Fanatec CSL Universal Hub V2 doesn't transform your base, but it does transform what you can do with it. It opens the door to more realistic rims, multiple configurations and a level of customization that "all-in-one" steering wheels don't offer. In a setup, it replaces the idea of a single fixed wheel with that of an evolving base.

On the market, it's clearly positioned in the intelligent mid-range: more serious and more versatile than entry-level solutions, less luxurious and less expensive than very premium hubs. It's a pivotal piece for those who want a clean, modular setup, without resorting to extreme customization.

I'd recommend it to sim racers already working with Fanatec, who want to increase realism and flexibility, especially on PC, and who plan to use at least two different rims in the medium term. For someone who's just starting out, who doesn't drive much or who wants a ready-to-use product with no questions asked, a complete wheel will often remain more relevant.

If you're looking to upgrade your Fanatec setup to something more modular, more serious about the link between base and rim, the CSL Universal Hub V2 can clearly make the difference in your setup.