MOZA ES Steering Wheel: an entry-level steering wheel that wants to play in the big league

The MOZA ES Steering Wheel is the "basic" steering wheel in the MOZA ecosystem, often bundled with the brand's smaller Direct Drive bases. On paper, it's aimed at those who want to get serious about sim racing without blowing their budget, while remaining compatible with a more powerful base later on.

It promises a simple combo: affordable price, modern look, full button palette and clean integration into the MOZA ecosystem. The idea is clear: to offer a steering wheel that's versatile enough to handle GT, touring and a bit of rallying, without giving the impression of a cheap toy.

My angle here is twofold: on the one hand, build quality and everyday comfort. On the other, its precision and feel, especially when compared with more expensive metal and leather/Alcantara steering wheels. The aim is to see whether this entry-level steering wheel can hold its own in a MOZA setup, or whether it should be considered as a transitional solution towards something better.

Design and manufacturing: simple, clean, but clearly entry-level

Visually, the MOZA ES Steering Wheel ticks all the boxes of a modern sim racing steering wheel: GT-like shape, numerous buttons on the front, gearshift paddles and a fairly aggressive design. On a desk or cockpit, it doesn't look like a "toy" at first glance, which is already a good point for its category.

In hand, the feel immediately betrays its position in the range. The central body is metal, with a front plate that gives a decent impression of rigidity. The handles, on the other hand, are made of synthetic material, textured plastic type, with no premium coating. You can feel it immediately: it's not leather, it's not Alcantara. Hands slip a little more easily, especially with perspiration, and the touch is less warm.

Overall rigidity remains satisfactory for use with an entry-level or mid-range base. The steering wheel doesn't twist excessively when pushed, and the assemblies don't creak. Buttons click cleanly and rather dryly, inspiring more confidence than the price suggests. A far cry from the flabby buttons of some entry-level steering wheels.

The gearshift paddles are a slightly more mixed bag. They do the job, with a sufficiently pronounced click, but there's nothing luxurious about the mechanical feel: a little plastic in the stroke, a little noisy too. Compared to more upmarket steering wheels from the same ecosystem, or to competing full-metal wheels, we lose out on a feeling of density and precision.

Compared to other "entry-level" steering wheels on the market, the MOZA ES makes an honest case for itself: it doesn't look fragile, it doesn't creak in all directions, and its overall design remains pleasing. But if you've ever laid your hands on a metal/Alcantara or leather steering wheel, you'll immediately feel the qualitative step.

Settings, customization and compatibility: the essentials are here

The MOZA ES Steering Wheel is integrated into the brand's software, which makes things much simpler. All important settings are made in the same environment as the base unit: button mapping, sensitivity, rotation, profiles per set. For an entry-level steering wheel, this is really appreciated, as you don't have to struggle with several tools or configuration layers.

The available buttons are numerous enough to cover the major functions on most games: view, pit limiter, headlights, radio, DRS depending on the discipline. The layout is logical and fairly easy to memorize after a few sessions. It lacks the richness and customization of a competition-oriented steering wheel with rotaries everywhere, but for normal GT/track use, it more than does the job.

Software profiles are the key to customization. You can adapt the angle of rotation according to the discipline, set the overall hardness of the force feedback on the base, and associate different presets to each game. The steering wheel itself offers no physical adjustment options (fixed diameter, no modules, no interchangeable grips), but that's not shocking in this range.

The learning curve remains gentle. For a user new to PC sim racing with a MOZA base, getting the hang of it is a breeze. Plug in, configure once or twice, and off you go. For the more fastidious, there's always time to fine-tune each game, but that's not a requirement to enjoy the combo.

In terms of compatibility, MOZA ES is designed primarily for the PC, like the rest of the ecosystem. On consoles, we depend heavily on the bases and their own compatibility, which somewhat limits its interest for purely console gamers. In a complete MOZA ecosystem, on the other hand, it integrates naturally: Direct Drive bases, pedals, shifter, handbrake, and dedicated cockpit if required.

In terms of upgradeability, the MOZA ES clearly plays the role of entry point. It lets you get started without blowing your budget, but can be replaced quite naturally later on by a more premium steering wheel, while keeping the same base and the rest of the setup. It's compatible with the brand's more powerful bases, but it's not the one to get the most out of a beefy Direct Drive.

In-game sensations: efficient, easy to read, but limited by its design

Once on the track, the MOZA ES Steering Wheel shows its position: it doesn't totally restrict the base, but it doesn't transcend feel either. You can clearly feel the work of the MOZA Direct Drive base behind it, with clean, precise force feedback, but the steering wheel acts as a physical filter, mainly due to its material and diameter.

In terms of feedback precision, the steering remains easy to read. You can understand what the car is doing, feel when it's centering, when the rear starts to move, and when there's a slight transfer of mass. On an entry-level Direct Drive base, the combo remains very correct for its price. The rigid structure of the central body makes it easy to cope with large FFB variations.

In the corners, the grip reading is correct as long as you keep to a "clean" driving style. You can feel the tire loading up, the beginnings of understeer, and the slight loss of grip. Where the difference with a more high-end steering wheel is felt is on the micro-details: the smallest, finest vibrations, the tiniest changes in track texture tend to be less distinct. The material of the grips absorbs certain nuances.

On vibrators, the sensation remains clear: you can feel when you're getting on, when you're getting off, and at what intensity. Big F1 or GT3-type vibrators shake the steering wheel enough to give an impression of physical presence. Here again, the base does most of the work, and the steering wheel correctly transmits the big information. On the other hand, the precise texture of certain vibrators or edges is a little smoother than with a stiffer, better-finished steering wheel.

In fast corrections, the MOZA ES's diameter and reasonable weight help. The steering wheel remains easy to grip, and abrupt changes of direction don't require excessive effort. Oversteer can be caught, and adjustments made in the middle of a bend, without having to contend with the inertia of the steering wheel. This is an interesting point for beginners or intermediates: the steering wheel doesn't tire too much, even over longer sessions.

Over long sessions, comfort is average. The absence of premium upholstery has a slight impact on hand grip: over time, especially without gloves, you feel more the plastic material, which is a little slippery and less pleasant. Hands sweat and slip slightly more than with a leather or Alcantara-type covering, which can hamper steering precision over time.

In terms of overall immersion, the combo remains satisfying for a contained budget. The steering moves as you'd expect, vibrations arrive at just the right moment, and the car "lives" in your hands. Compared to a belt-driven base with an entry-level steering wheel, we clearly gain in responsiveness and sharpness of feedback. Compared with a more powerful MOZA base equipped with a top-of-the-range steering wheel, we feel the ceiling: the base could send out more details, but the steering wheel doesn't fully highlight them.

This steering wheel doesn't spoil the Direct Drive experience, it simplifies it. It serves as an accessible gateway to better sensations, but it will never be the strong link in a purely performance-oriented setup.

Who's it for? Qualities, limits and real value

The MOZA ES Steering Wheel is aimed primarily at motivated beginners and intermediate players setting up their first real Direct Drive-based setup. If you're coming from a very mainstream wheel and entering the MOZA ecosystem, this wheel makes sense: you benefit from clean force feedback, modern ergonomics and fluid integration, without massive extra cost.

On the positive side, the first thing that stands out is its functionality/price ratio within the MOZA ecosystem. For a "basic" steering wheel, there are enough buttons, clear ergonomics and direct compatibility with the brand's bases, with no need for DIY. Secondly, its relative lightness and reasonable diameter make it easy to handle, ideal for learning or performing a series of tricks without tiring. Thirdly, the overall quality of construction is reassuring for this range: there's no feeling of a hollow toy, nor of rough assembly.

There are limits, and they need to be made clear. The first is the feel in the hand: the material of the grips and the lack of premium coating result in a loss of comfort and grip, especially on long sessions or without gloves. The second limitation is that the steering wheel doesn't take full advantage of the most powerful MOZA bases: it transmits the big forces well, but smoothes out some of the fine details. The third constraint is that the lack of hardware customization (no modules, no interchangeable plates or grips) means that it's a bit stuck in the role of a generalist steering wheel, with no GT, F1 or rally specialization.

In terms of perceived value, it all depends on your starting point. If you're setting up your first Direct Drive setup on a tight budget, the MOZA ES makes sense: it lets you enter the MOZA world without blowing your wallet, while keeping the option of upgrading the wheel later. If you're already sure you want something very immersive and premium, the investment will probably be more relevant directly in a better-finished steering wheel, even if the initial cost is higher.

Verdict: a good ticket into the MOZA ecosystem

The MOZA ES Steering Wheel brings one thing to a setup: a simple, coherent and functional entry point into the brand's Direct Drive ecosystem. It lets you take advantage of the MOZA basics without overinvesting in a top-of-the-range steering wheel, and provides a combo that's already far superior to the very mainstream belt-driven solutions.

On the market, it is clearly positioned as a mid-range/low-end, transitional steering wheel. It doesn't play the premium card, but the accessible one: enough buttons, modern design, correct construction, direct compatibility. It is particularly well suited to bundles with smaller MOZA bases, where it makes sense both financially and in terms of overall coherence.

I'd recommend it to PC gamers who are serious beginners, or intermediates who are just getting their foot in the door of Direct Drive without wanting to spend all their money on a steering wheel from the outset. For a very demanding simracer, geared towards pure performance or the quest for ultra-detailed sensations, this won't be the best choice: a beefier, better-finished and better-sheathed wheel will quickly come into its own.

If you're looking for your first MOZA steering wheel that's functional, affordable and enough to get you started with Direct Drive without breaking the bank, this product could make all the difference to your setup.