Apollo Air 2023 Review

Cockpit

I must confess to thinking there was very little wrong with the cockpit sported by 2022’s edition – but one minute of testing the new system was all I needed to see the light.

The upgrades center around the same 8th-generation throttles for the accelerator and regen brake found on both the Apollo City and Apollo Pro. Sleek in design, spectacularly smooth to operate, and supremely ergonomic, the new paddles are inspired additions that make a mockery of the majority of entry-level scooters. The integrated buttons for your lights, riding modes, and turn signals are all within easy reach, too, while the ribbed handgrips are tactile.

On the topic of the turn signals, they’re now positioned at each end of the handlebars – meaning they can be seen from all angles. Their self-canceling function ups the ante in the ease-of-use stakes, too.

By my measurements, the handlebars themselves strike a wide 26 inches, maximizing your handling and control when putting the Air through its paces.

And at the center of it all is a flush display that’s been seamlessly built into the cockpit. It ensures all your key stats are easy to read, with one glaring exception: your riding mode. The red sport mode icon is a challenge to see even for those with 20/20 vision – especially under direct sunlight.

Frame

This is Apollo, so it’ll come as no surprise to learn that the Air’s sleek, anti-corrosive, 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum frame is both durable and lightweight.

The headline here, however, is the all-new IP66 water resistance rating (the best that you’ll find in the industry). With this, you can hit the road come rain or shine. The cable management, meanwhile, is immaculate, elevating the Air’s appeal as not only a robust, all-weather scooter but also one that promises precise design, even across the finer details.

Impressively, Apollo’s commitment to quality is evident from their industry-leading 10,000 km warranty on the frame. With this in tow, I decided to put the Air through the ringer and despite being subject to my grueling performance tests, it held up just fine. The stem remained rock-solid with no signs of wobble, while its 10-degree rake angle guaranteed stability.

Deck

Measuring 18.9 inches in length, 7.9 inches at its widest point, and 6.7 inches at its narrowest (based on my measurements of usable deck space), the Air’s tapered deck offers ample room for a comfortable riding stance.

Add the grippy rubber coating into the mix and your feet are kept secure, while the elongated rear fender hugs the tire to prevent splashback.

However, with just 3.8 inches of ground clearance, it’s best to dismount the scooter and carry it over curbs to avoid damage.

Tires

What’s not to love about the 10-inch tubeless tires? Not only do they offer oodles of cushioning and traction, but because of their profile, they also ensure you feel balanced and in control through the corners.

But here’s the clincher: they’re now self-healing, meaning no more puncture anxiety. Thanks to a layer of gel-like sealant that runs around the entire lining of each tire, you can keep riding even if a foreign body penetrates them. No matter the object – whether that's a nail, thorn, or piece of glass – the gel gets to work by filling the cavity to prevent air from escaping.

These beauties take everything that the city can throw at them in their stride.

Portability

Being the lightest scooter in the Apollo line, portability has never been an issue for the Air – but that hasn’t stopped Apollo from bringing improvements to the table.

First on the list is the newly added folding mechanism. Inherited from the Apollo City and Apollo Pro, it securely locks the stem in place, while it’s also exceptionally easy to release for folding.

The second upgrade comes in the form of the new folding hook. This now features a spring clip to prevent it from coming unlatched from the anchor point on the deck.

Combined with the Air’s 41 lb frame, it remains light enough to carry up a flight or two of stairs. However, it must be noted that because the stem folds from the neck and angles down towards the deck, you need to master the art of finding the right place to lift it from so that it balances.

Load

The 220 lbs load-bearing capacity isn’t good news for heavier riders. During my tests, I found that my 197 lbs weight slowed the scooter and left it feeling underpowered. The fact of the matter is that there are better options out there if you weigh high up on the scale.

As a rule of thumb, I’d only suggest opting for the Air if you weigh less than 180 lbs. Here, you’ll get the best performance from it.

Lights

Yet another upgrade can be found in the form of its newly adjustable headlight. Its 20 LUX rating illuminates the path ahead with a T-shaped beam, though it’s not quite bright enough to achieve my seal of approval. If you plan to ride at night, you’ll need to strap an additional headlight to the handlebars.

Then, of course, there are the new handlebar integrated turn signals, which are a standout feature.

And to cap everything off, you have a taillight that doubles up as a flashing brake light.

Nevertheless, the Apollo Air 2023 lays claim to the best lighting rig among the many entry-level electric scooters that I’ve tested.

Mobile App

Ah yes, Apollo’s integrated mobile app – a perennial crowd-pleaser. Through it, you can:

• Record trips
• Get range estimates based on your most recent riding pattern
• Use it as a navigational device where you can follow a route to your destination
• Adjust the top speed of each riding mode
• View the health and status of your battery
• Toggle between kick-to-start and zero-start modes
• Turn cruise control on or off
• Turn the headlight on or off
• Remotely lock and unlock the scooter, which immobilizes it by applying the electronic brakes

Then, if you go into the advanced settings, you can:

• Dial in the strength of your acceleration and regen brakes
• Set the time that it takes before cruise control automatically kicks in
• Set the time that it takes before the scooter automatically shuts down when not in use

I’m also pleased to report that the Air comes with a phone holder, meaning you can use the app as your main display. Getting the holder to mount onto the handlebars can be a little tricky though – especially considering that it uses a circular clamp and the handlebars have a non-uniform shape. I found that it could only be attached right next to the throttle or regen paddle.

Build Quality

One thing you can be sure of when purchasing an Apollo scooter is premium build quality. The Air 2023 doesn’t disappoint: every component fits together like pieces of a Swiss clock, while the materials are all high quality.

Better yet, despite its sleek aesthetic and plentiful features, Apollo has managed to make the Air extremely low maintenance. Take for instance the self-healing tires, front drum brake, and high IP66 water-resistance rating. Durability is assured at every corner. Even the battery benefits from a smart system that protects it against short-circuiting, overcharging, overcurrent, undervoltage, and temperature resistance.

In my review of the Apollo Air 2022, I said that it was a triumph. From its curved lines, flush finishes, and a design that flowed from one section to the next, everything about it oozed class. This statement holds – yet, with the new upgrades in tow, 2023’s edition manages to outstrip it.