Played on a custom gaming PC by CLX Gaming

I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not a hardcore racing sim enthusiast. I love racing games, but I’ve never gone all-in on the simulation side of things. That being said, when Turtle Beach announced the VelocityOne Race and Multi-Shift, a fully decked-out force feedback racing wheel designed for both Xbox and PC, I knew I had to see what it was all about. It helps that I drive a 2024 KIA Sportage in real life, which gave me a newfound appreciation for the engineering that goes into a proper racing setup. The Multi-Shift is not part of the Race set, mind you – but a necessary tool and one I will review with the overall set as one. So, I went in ready to experience the full-fledged realism of this beast of a device. Pairing the VelocityOne Race with my 49” Samsung Odyssey G9 Super Ultra-Wide and a custom PC featuring an RTX 4090, I dove into the world of Forza Motorsport—and let me tell you, this thing absolutely delivers (after tampering with some settings, of course.)

But was it a smooth ride getting there? Not entirely.

That Much Closer

The moment I unboxed the VelocityOne Race, I realized this was no ordinary racing wheel. It’s big, it’s heavy, and it immediately commands attention. This isn’t something you casually set on a desk and call it a day—it demands a dedicated space. If you’re working with a normal PC setup, be warned: this wheel might be too heavy for your desk to handle comfortably. Every component—from the sturdy aluminum wheel to the load-cell pedals—feels premium. Turtle Beach didn’t cut corners here. This isn’t just a piece of plastic with a few buttons; it’s a full-fledged racing cockpit experience condensed into a home setup.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels great in the hands, and the metal paddle shifters have a satisfying mechanical click that instantly reminds you of sitting in a real sports car. These pedals are not cheap. They offer progressive resistance, simulating a real braking system—something you truly feel when pushing it to the limit in a race. A built-in telemetry screen on the wheel gives you real-time feedback, adding an authentic racing feel that’s rare in this price range. Everything about the VelocityOne Race screams serious racing hardware. If you’re in the market for something casual, this isn’t it. This is for people who want to feel the road beneath their fingertips.

The Biggest Hurdle

Now, let’s talk about what might be the only real downside of the VelocityOne Race—the setup process. Look, I’m a tech guy. I review gaming hardware all the time. But setting this up required patience. This isn’t a plug-and-play device. You need to manually configure your dead zones, force feedback strength, and steering sensitivity, especially for a game like Forza Motorsport.

Manual Configuration – Unlike a standard Xbox controller, this wheel won’t automatically work perfectly out of the box. You have to tweak the settings to get that perfect feel.
Software Adjustments – The Turtle Beach Control Center helps dial in the settings, but it took me a good while to get everything optimized.
Space Requirements – This wheel is big and heavy. If you don’t have a racing rig or a dedicated stand, you might struggle with finding the right placement.

Once I finally got through the setup, though? It was 100% worth it.

Pure Racing Bliss

With everything dialed in, I jumped into Forza Motorsport, and the moment I took my first turn, I felt the difference. The VelocityOne Race features direct drive force feedback, and it’s absolutely incredible. Every bump in the road, every curb, every shift in traction—I felt it all. The wheel fights back against you when you take a turn too fast, just like a real car would. This is where my 2024 KIA Sportage came into play. Driving that SUV daily made me appreciate just how realistic the brake pedal on the VelocityOne Race is. The load-cell braking system means that you’re not just pushing a pedal—you’re applying pressure, just like in an actual car.

Between the force feedback, the responsive pedals, and the Race Management Display (RMD) giving me real-time telemetry, the VelocityOne Race is easily one of the most immersive racing peripherals I’ve ever used. At $649.99, the VelocityOne Race is a hefty investment. That puts it right in the middle of the high-end sim racing market. But how does it compare to other popular racing setups?

Comparisons to Other Racing Wheels

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel & Pedals ($999.99) – Logitech’s high-end entry features direct drive force feedback, similar to the VelocityOne Race, but costs nearly $350 more. However, it does include more tuning customization and a proven ecosystem.
Fanatec CSL DD ($699.99 for base, pedals sold separately) – Fanatec is known for its direct drive excellence, and while the CSL DD is a top-tier wheel, it lacks the all-in-one setup that Turtle Beach provides. You’ll have to buy pedals separately, which can drive the price up past $1,000.
Thrustmaster T818 ($649.99 for base, pedals/wheel extra) – Another direct drive option, but once again, you’ll need to spend extra on pedals and a wheel to get a full setup.

With VelocityOne Race, you’re getting everything in one package—the wheel, pedals, and advanced Race Management Display that few others offer at this price point. The fact that it’s compatible with both Xbox and PC also adds value, considering some high-end wheels require separate models for each platform. If you compare price-to-features, the VelocityOne Race actually comes out as one of the best all-in-one setups in this range. After spending hours racing, fine-tuning settings, and getting used to the sheer power of this wheel, I can confidently say: The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race is one of the best racing wheels on the market.

Final Score: 9.5/10

It’s expensive, it’s intimidating, and it demands a proper racing setup. But if you’re serious about immersion and performance, it’s worth every penny. For hardcore sim racers, this is a must-buy. For casual racing fans? Be prepared for a learning curve—but once you get through it, you’ll never want to go back to a controller again.

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