Moza Racing Wheelbase Buying Guide: R3 to R25 Ultra Compared (2026)
Moza Racing Wheelbase Buying Guide: R3 to R25 Ultra Compared (2026)
Which Moza direct drive wheelbase is right for you? Here's how the R3, R5, R9 V3, R12 V2, R21 Ultra, and R25 Ultra compare on torque, price, and who each one is built for.
Quick rule: if you're a gamer, go 12Nm (R12 V2). If you're a racer, go 21Nm (R21 Ultra).
TL;DR
- New to direct drive: Moza R3 or R5 bundle (3.9Nm / 5.5Nm, wheel + pedals included) or R9 V3 (9Nm)
- Most sim racers, best value: Moza R12 V2 (12Nm)
- Serious/competitive sim racers: Moza R21 Ultra (21Nm)
- Maximum force feedback, no compromise: Moza R25 Ultra (25Nm, built-in true torque sensor)
Torque at a Glance
What Makes Moza Different From Other Direct Drive Brands
Moza Racing wheelbases use servo direct drive motors, which connect the wheel directly to the motor shaft instead of routing force through belts or gears like older wheel base systems. That means less latency, less mechanical play, and force feedback that reproduces curb strikes, wheel slip, and road texture more accurately than a gear-driven or belt-driven wheel.
This guide compares the Moza bases and bundles Apex currently carries, from the 3.9Nm R3 bundle up to the 25Nm R25 Ultra.
Moza Wheelbase Comparison Table
| Model | Torque | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| R3 (bundle only) | 3.9Nm | $259–$319 | First direct drive wheel, console racers, tight budgets |
| R5 (bundle only) | 5.5Nm | $379 | First direct drive wheel with a bit more torque than the R3 |
| R9 V3 | 9Nm | $299 | Budget-friendly step below the R12 V2 |
| R12 V2 | 12Nm | $399 | Most sim racers, strong feedback without overkill |
| R21 Ultra | 21Nm | $699 | Competitive racers, endurance and GT setups |
| R25 Ultra | 25Nm | $899 | Maximum sustained torque + true torque sensor, dedicated sim rigs |
Note: the R3 and R5 rows above are bundle prices — both include SR-P Lite pedals and a table clamp along with the wheelbase and steering wheel. Full bundle contents are in each section below.
R9 V3 vs R12 V2: The Most Common Question
If you're deciding between two Moza bases, it's usually these. The R9 V3 and R12 V2 are close to the same physical size, so this isn't really a desk-space decision. It comes down to torque and price: the R9 V3 delivers 9Nm at $299, the R12 V2 delivers 12Nm for about $100 more. If budget allows, the extra torque headroom on the R12 V2 is why it's the base most sim racers pick.
Desk Clamp or Rig? Match the Base to Your Setup
| Setup | Best Moza Base |
|---|---|
| Desk clamp | R3, R5, R9 V3 |
| Wheel stand | R5, R9 V3 |
| Aluminum profile rig / cockpit | R12 V2, R21 Ultra, R25 Ultra |
A desk clamp can handle the R12 V2 for casual use, but 21Nm and 25Nm bases put real torque through the mounting point, so a rig or reinforced desk is worth it at that level.
Moza R3: The Entry Point
Who it's for: First-time direct drive buyers and anyone who wants everything in one box at a low price. Console racers can also get Xbox compatibility on any Moza base with the ESX wheel, so the R3 isn't the only route to Xbox — see the note below.
The R3 is Moza's direct drive wheelbase for sim racers moving off a gear-driven wheel for the first time. At 3.9Nm it's a step up in feedback quality from entry-level wheels without the price or desk-clamp demands of a higher-torque base. Apex carries the R3 as a complete bundle only, not as a standalone base:
- R3 PC Bundle ($259) — R3 wheelbase, ES Steering Wheel, SR-P Lite pedals (2-pedal set), and table clamp. PC only. Shop the R3 PC Bundle →
- R3 Xbox/PC Bundle ($319) — R3 wheelbase, ES Xbox Steering Wheel, SR-P Lite pedals (2-pedal set), and table clamp. Compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Shop the R3 Xbox/PC Bundle →
Note: Xbox compatibility isn't limited to this bundle. Any Moza wheelbase becomes Xbox compatible when paired with the ESX Steering Wheel ($129), which carries official Xbox licensing. So if you want a higher-torque base like the R12 V2 or R21 Ultra on Xbox, buy that base standalone and add the ESX wheel rather than starting with the R3. Shop the ESX Steering Wheel →
Moza R5: A Bit More Torque Than the R3
Who it's for: PC racers who want more torque than the R3 without stepping up to the R9 V3, and want the mounting angle flexibility of the included clip.
The R5 Simulator Bundle is Moza's other entry-level option, stepping up to 5.5Nm of direct drive torque. Like the R3, it's sold as a complete bundle only:
- R5 Simulator Bundle ($379) — R5 wheelbase (5.5Nm), ES Steering Wheel (leather-wrapped, 22 programmable buttons), SR-P Lite pedals, table clamp, and a 15° mounting clip for dialed-in desktop angles. PC only. Shop the R5 Bundle →
Moza R9 V3: The Budget Pick
Who it's for: Sim racers who want a direct drive step up from the R3/R5 and want to save $100 versus the R12 V2. It's close to the same physical size as the R12 V2, so this is a budget call, not a space-saving one.
The R9 V3 delivers 9Nm of torque at a lower price than the R12 V2. If you have the budget for the R12 V2's extra 3Nm, most sim racers find it worth the difference, but the R9 V3 is a legitimate direct drive base on its own for anyone keeping cost down. Shop the R9 V3 →
Moza R12 V2: The Sweet Spot
Who it's for: Most sim racers. If you're not sure which Moza base to buy, this is the default answer.
The R12 V2 is Moza's 12Nm servo direct drive base and the one most sim racers land on. It's enough torque to feel curb strikes, weight transfer, and wheel slip clearly, without the desk-mounting demands of the 21Nm and 25Nm bases. Shop the R12 V2 →
Moza R21 Ultra: Built for Competitive Racing
Who it's for: Competitive and endurance racers who are ready to buy once and not upgrade the wheelbase again for years.
The R21 Ultra steps up to 21Nm of sustained torque, aimed at sim racers running endurance events, GT3 leagues, or anyone who wants the wheel to fight back under load without clipping or losing detail under heavy force feedback loads. This is where a solid wheel deck or aluminum extrusion rig mount starts to matter, since the base can generate serious force at speed. Shop the R21 Ultra →
Moza R25 Ultra: Maximum Force Feedback
Who it's for: Racers who've already run a lower-torque base and want the ceiling raised, plus the most detailed feedback Moza makes. Buy once, cry once.
The R25 Ultra is Moza's flagship at 25Nm of sustained torque. It's not aimed at first-time direct drive buyers — it's the pick for racers who already know what they want. Compared with the R21 Ultra, the R25 Ultra adds a built-in true torque sensor rated at 0.1% accuracy with a 2 kHz response rate, so steering input is read with more precision on top of the extra torque headroom. Shop the R25 Ultra →
Pairing a Steering Wheel
Every current Moza wheelbase covered in this guide uses the same quick release, so any current Moza wheel fits any current Moza base. If you're pairing a wheel with an older, used Moza base (a V1 R9, R16, or R21, for example), check compatibility first, since some older bases have limits with newer wheels. A few starting points for wheels:
- KS / KS Pro — butterfly-style GT wheel, the most common pairing for the R9 V3 and R12 V2
- CS V2P / CS Pro — compact round GT wheel for a more traditional feel
- RS V2 / GS V2P — premium leather-wrapped GT wheels
- FSR2 — 280mm formula-style wheel for open-wheel racing
- Licensed wheels — Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, Lamborghini Revuelto, and Porsche Mission R for a factory-accurate cockpit
- ESX — the wheel that makes Xbox compatibility possible; pair it with any current Moza base to run on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC
Third-party wheel rims can also be used with a compatible Moza quick release, but button and paddle functionality on some third-party rims may need a separate USB connection or hub rather than working out of the box. Browse Sim Racing Steering Wheels & Parts →
Pairing Pedals
Moza's pedal lineup covers three tiers, plus a combined set at the top:
- SRP2 — entry tier, hall-effect sensors, 2 or 3-pedal configurations
- CRP2 Loadcell — mid-tier, aerospace-grade aluminum with a carbon fiber heel plate
- mBooster Active Pedal — Moza's top-tier pedal, using dual load cell sensors and dynamic force feedback to reproduce ABS pulses, traction control hits, and G-force through the pedal itself
- mBooster Pedal Set with CRP2 Throttle — the mBooster paired with the CRP2 for a complete top-tier set
Browse Moza Racing Pedals & Accessories →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Moza R12 enough torque for sim racing?
Yes. 12Nm is enough to feel curb strikes, road texture, and wheel slip clearly in most racing titles, and it's the torque level most sim racers settle on for regular use.
What's the difference between the Moza R21 Ultra and R25 Ultra?
Both are Moza's Ultra-tier bases built for sustained high torque. The R21 Ultra delivers 21Nm. The R25 Ultra delivers 25Nm and adds a built-in true torque sensor (0.1% accuracy, 2 kHz response) that the R21 Ultra doesn't have. Both are aimed at competitive or endurance sim racers rather than first-time direct drive buyers.
Do all Moza steering wheels fit all Moza wheelbases?
Yes, for the current lineup covered in this guide: any current Moza wheel, from the KS to the licensed Lamborghini and Porsche wheels, fits any current Moza base via the shared quick release. Older, used V1 bases can have compatibility limits with newer wheels, so check before pairing.
Is the Moza R3 a good first direct drive wheel?
Yes. The R3 is Moza's entry-level direct drive base at 3.9Nm, built for sim racers moving off a gear-driven wheel for the first time. It's sold as a complete bundle only (wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals, and table clamp included), in a PC-only version or an Xbox/PC version.
What's the difference between the Moza R3 and R5?
Both are entry-level direct drive bundles sold as complete kits with a wheel and pedals included. The R3 delivers 3.9Nm of torque and is available in PC-only or Xbox/PC versions. The R5 delivers 5.5Nm, includes a 15° mounting clip for desktop setups, and is PC only.
Can I use a Moza wheelbase on Xbox?
Yes, on any current Moza wheelbase. Xbox compatibility comes from the ESX Steering Wheel, which carries official Xbox licensing. Pair the ESX with any base in this guide, from the R3 up to the R25 Ultra, to run on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC. The R3 Xbox/PC Bundle simply includes the ESX wheel already, but it's not the only way to get Xbox support.
Should I buy the Moza R9 V3 or the R12 V2?
The R9 V3 and R12 V2 are close to the same physical size, so it's not a space decision. The R9 V3 delivers 9Nm at $299. The R12 V2 delivers 12Nm for about $100 more and is the base most sim racers pick when budget allows.
Apex Sim Racing is an authorized Moza Racing dealer
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