Turboant X7 Max Review

Design

Handlebars

For all that we loved about the Turboant X7 Pro, one niggling bugbear was that, at 46.7-inches, the height of its handlebars was a little too low for tall riders. This has been taken on board with the X7 Max, which now sports 49.2-inch handlebars to tangibly improve rider comfort – especially for riders over 6 ft.

We did a side-by-side comparison of the X7 Max against the scooter with the tallest handlebars that we have ever tested – the NAMI Burn-e 2 – to show you how high the X7 Max’s handlebars truly are.

We also compared their height to the Turboant M10 to show you the significant difference between both budget models.

Aside from the increased height, the 16.5-inch width remains the same as the original X7 Pro. For the motor power on offer, the handlebars afford excellent stability, control, and maneuverability.

When it comes to the layout of the cockpit, the X7 Max shares the same structural layout as its predecessor but improves on some of the components.

In the center, you’ll find an LED display, followed by two rubber grips on either side, an ergonomic thumb throttle with all-in-one control functions, and a conveniently positioned brake lever.

The most notable improvement here is the grips. The pattern of the rubber has changed from a crisscrossing of hexagons to a design that looks like snake skin. Surprisingly, the new design has a more texturized feel that results in more grip.

Frame

Like the Pro, the X7 Max has its removable battery attached to the stem; but, this time round, there’s a key lock for added security. The stem itself is also reliably sturdy, with zero wobble.

The similarities pretty much end there, because the Max is an altogether more aesthetically-pleasing specimen.

To start with, the frame is now 2.7-inches longer, offering a greater sense of stability for bigger riders. This does make the Turboant X7 Max ever so slightly heavier than its sibling, but this is somewhat mitigated by the new aluminum-magnesium alloy, which is more lightweight than the aluminum-alloy sported by the Pro.

Plus, what it gains in weight, it makes up for in its refreshed design. I think it's fair to say that the frame got a well-needed facelift. It’s not until you see the X7 Max alongside the X7 Pro, that you realize how clunky the latter was.

It now features a more refined shape with sleek, sweeping attributes that eschew the clunky style that many scooters in its price bracket have. With curved lines, flush finishes, and a design that flows from one section to the next, it’s clear that the X7 Max has a more refined, modern design.

For instance, you only have to look at the shape of the neck and how the deck tapers. Even the headlight integration is sleeker – it no longer protrudes from the stem, but instead, sports a flusher finish.

Deck

What’s not to love about the new and improved deck? It’s longer, wider, and more elevated than the X7 Pro. The result is a ride that exceeds its predecessor in terms of comfort and safety.

The extra inch of ground clearance is particularly noteworthy here; this will protect you and the scooter from any nasty bumps in the road while smoothing out the ride on choppier streets.

It would also be remiss of us not to remark on the aesthetic facelift that the deck has undergone. Gone are the straight dimensions seen on the X7 Pro; this time round there’s a tapered profile that is narrow at the front and wider at the back. This gets our thumbs up for both style and comfort.

Wheels

While the pneumatic tires remain the same size at 10-inches, a key difference can be found in their thicker sidewalls, which makes them less susceptible to pinch flats. (Pinch flats occur when the inner tube becomes inwardly squeezed and punctured).

With the X7 Max devoid of any suspension system, the tires perform an effective role in cushioning the ride and absorbing most of the shocks that roads can conjure.

The ride quality is surprisingly smooth, and thanks to their relatively narrow design, the maneuverability box is ticked.

Build Quality & Durability

Turboant is a brand known for its durable everyday scooters, and the X7 Max doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s a high watermark in the company’s evolution. It’s bigger, sleeker, and more robust than the Pro.

Everything in its design, from the superb cable management to the durable frame, and reinforced fenders, has been built for longevity. Even the folding mechanism benefits from an improved design, despite the previous one being good. You see, Turboant hasn’t just released a new model to try and peddle the sales of more units without delivering tangible improvements. Instead, they’ve taken their best-selling model, assessed all the areas that could be improved, and set on a mission to make the X7 Max the best possible version it could be.

One of the most pleasing upgrades is the removal of the foot brake. We found it caused damage to the tire, which isn’t what you want when looking for a long-lasting scooter. This time round, it’s been replaced by a reinforced, solidly-set fender that wraps around the tire more closely to provide better coverage from splashes and dirt.

Our only gripe is with the front fender; it merely covers the front half of the tire, leaving the underside of the neck exposed to splashback. It doesn’t get you wet or dirty but having no splashback would be nice so that you don’t need to clean the scooter so often. This small issue shouldn’t detract from the main headline, however: the Turboant X7 Max is a tough, lightweight scooter that will have your back whenever you need it.

Weight & Load

At 34 lbs, the X7 Max can be placed firmly in the category of lightweight electric scooters. Carrying it up a flight of stairs is no major hurdle.

And with a load capacity of 275 lbs, the Max is perhaps Turboant’s most versatile scooter yet; the improvements to the frame, deck, and handlebars are a real plus point if you’re a bigger rider.

Folding & Portability

The mechanism that enables the X7 Max to fold and lock into itself for easy lifting is a significant improvement over the one used on the X7 Pro.

The X7 Pro used a hook on the back of its handlebars that looped into a small latch embedded into the rear fender. However, getting the hook to attach securely to the latch required a concentrated effort; you had to carefully lower the X7 stem into place.

This isn’t a major issue by any stretch, but when you went to pick the X7 Pro up, the downward pressure that you would apply to the stem as you grasped it would result in the rear fender getting pushed down and the hook popping out of the latch. The result was that, instead of lifting the folded scooter, you’d end up pulling the stem away from the deck, inadvertently unfolding it.

The X7 Max improves on this by using the same design as found on the Turboant M10. Instead of an embedded latch on the rear fender, it sports a protruding latch that is positioned 90 degrees to the scooter (meaning it faces to the side). The hook on the back of the handlebars then slides through the latch, meaning there is no way for the stem to detach from the rear fender when folded. Plus, the reinforced fender can't be pressed down, meaning that the hook won’t come unlatched.

And finally, despite its slightly larger profile, the X7 Max will easily fit into the boot of your car or under your desk at work.

Assembly

The Turboant X7 Max is pretty much ready to go straight out of the box; simply screw on the grips, check everything is securely fastened, and hey presto – you’re ready to revolutionize your commute.

Ride Quality

Is the Turboant X7 Max Comfortable to Ride?

The 10-inch tires do an admirable job of absorbing the shocks and vibrations of road surfaces; they work in tandem with the elevated deck to provide a layer of cushioning that protects bones, muscles, and joints.

The taller handlebars also play a pivotal role where they remove any need to ride in a hunched-over position if you're tall. Similarly, the long deck provides ample room to find a stance that feels both comfortable and natural.

The ergonomic thumb throttle, too, facilitates a smooth acceleration that feels great as you’re gathering speed on asphalt.

For its price tag, the Turboant X7 Max is mightily impressive.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Propelled by a 36V 350W motor, the X7 Max is a nippy little operator that can hit a top speed of 20 mph.

Let's look at how the X7 Max compares to scooters within its price and weight classes.

Speed vs Price Comparison

At $599.98, 17 other models within a range of $500 can be compared to the X7 Max.

The results make for impressive reading, with the Max emerging in joint-second place alongside three of its stablemates: the X7 Pro, the V8, and M10; as well as a duo of GoTrax models.

Digging deeper, the Turboant V8 can reach its top speed quicker thanks to its 450W motor.
Compared to the X7 Max, it has 29% more motor power and therefore has a faster acceleration rate. Nevertheless, the X7 Max is still a top performer, so whichever model you pick you to know you are getting good value for money.

Alternatively, if your budget can stretch, the Horizon 10.4 with its more powerful and torquey 48V 500W motor will deliver a top speed of 25 mph, thereby surpassing the thrill that the Turboant X7 Max can offer.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

When the focus shifts to weight, the X7 Max is, yet again, a top performer out of the 15 comparable models that weigh within 10 lbs of its 34 lbs.

The winner here is the Mosquito, which has a much larger and more powerful 48V 500W motor. The Mosquito is, however, double the price of the X7 Max ($600 vs $999), so it may be out of your budget. The same can be said for the EMOVE Touring ($899), Apollo Air ($999), and INOKIM Light 2 ($999).

Ultimately, if you want a light scooter with a top speed that is primed for urban environments, and want to keep your budget low, then the X7 Max is a perfect choice.

Acceleration

Equipped with a 36V 350W motor, the X7 Max promises an acceleration rate that you would expect.

When we compared the acceleration of the X7 Max, against its predecessor – the X7 Pro – it was slightly quicker, beating the latter to 15 mph in a time that was 5% faster. We put this down to the refined drivetrain hardware.

Against the scooters that we recommend, it beats the GoTrax GMAX Ultra with an acceleration rate that is 14% faster, while it falls behind both the Turboant V8 and Horizon 10.4.

As to be expected, both the latter scooters outperform the X7 Max because of their more powerful motors. By comparison, the winner of the group – the Horizon 10.4 – has a motor that is 43% larger, while it also operates on 48V vs the X7 Max’s 36V. Combined, it can accelerate to 15 mph 32% faster.

Nevertheless, the X7 Max’s acceleration is ideal for urban environments.

Range

The maximum range from one charge of the removable 10Ah battery is 32 miles – though this will be lower when factoring in realistic conditions. We rode in the fastest settings until the battery went flat and we managed to get 18 miles, which is 2 more than what the X7 Pro delivered at full tilt.

While the X7 Pro and X7 Max share identical-sized batteries – both of which store 360Wh – the X7 Max has been equipped with refined drivetrain hardware and software to ensure more efficient energy usage and therefore, delivers a slightly longer range.

Crucially, a spare battery – which can be purchased for $220 – could feasibly double the Max’s range. This sets it apart from most other scooters, regardless of their price.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Comparing the Turboant X7 Max to 17 other models within a price range of $500, it achieves a respectable fourth place ranking.

When we consider that the models above it have price tags in the upper-end of the $500 range, the X7 Max begins to look very attractive. Plus, as previously mentioned, you could double the range (64 miles) with an extra battery for a total cost of $819.96. Also, Turboant often has discount codes, meaning you can bag yourself a scooter with a huge maximum range for an extremely affordable price.

As for the rest of the rankings, the Turboant V8 brings home the gold with 50 miles. This is no surprise as it has two 36V 7.5Ah batteries. This equates to 540Wh of energy, which is 50% more than the X7 Max. However, it must be noted that we suspect that this maximum mileage figure has been inflated. Nevertheless, there’s no hiding away from the fact that the V8 can eat through more miles and the fact that the V8 also benefits from having a removable battery pack. This separates both the V8 and X7 Max from the chasing pack.

The only model you may want to consider is the GoTrax GMAX Ultra. This scooter benefits from a 36V 17.5Ah battery that not only stores 75% more energy (630 vs 360Wh), but also uses superior LG cells that deliver longer-lasting performance for hundreds more charge cycles.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

As for mileage vs weight, the X7 Max can be compared to 15 other models that sit within a range 10 lbs.

And guess who stands on top of the podium? That’s right. The X7 Max wins here – but there are a few caveats.

Burrowing down into real-world mileage stats – where all the scooters are ridden in their fastest setting – the likes of the EMOVE Touring, Apollo Air, and Mosquito all outperform the X7 Max. This is mainly due to their larger battery sizes that hold between 28-73% more energy. They are, however, far more expensive.

Ultimately, if you don’t mind spending more money, then any of these three are great alternatives. But, if you don’t want to stretch your budget, then the X7 Max delivers the best value by far.

Hill Climbing

With its low price tag and 350W motor, it may come as no surprise to learn that the X7 Max is no conqueror of steep hills. You will struggle to make any headway up inclines of 15 degrees – the maximum climb angle denoted by Turboant.

It can, however, handle the usual undulations found in cities and neighborhoods – just don’t ride it in San Francisco and stick to gradual inclines.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

As to be expected for its budget price tag, the X7 Max doesn’t come with a suspension system. But, as already highlighted, the plush 10-inch pneumatic tires do a great job of soaking up shocks from roads and streets.

While Turboant recommends pumping the tires up to a PSI of 35, you can lower the pressure to around 30 PSI for a more plush feel.

Braking

The Max comes with a rear disc brake and a front electronic brake, which together deliver a smooth, balanced braking experience.

Thankfully, Turboant has done away with the rear stomp brake found on the X7 Pro. This is good news as we weren’t fans of it since it would lock the rear tire, causing it to skid, and eventually wear your tire down when in use.

Charge Time

The battery takes 6 hours to recharge.

Extra Features

LCD Display

The LCD display has had a revamp. While remaining largely true to the tried-and-tested design seen on the X7 Pro, Turboant has upgraded the interface. It looks clear and tidy, which is pretty much all you can ask for from a budget scooter.

The display will let you monitor your speed, battery life, acceleration, and mileage.

You can use the thumb throttle to toggle between three riding modes: Eco limits your speed to 6 mph so that you can prolong battery life; Comfort increases the speed to 9 mph and provides a good middle ground between performance and battery usage; and Sport removes the shackles entirely, allowing you to push the X7 Max to its…well…max.

Each time you change your riding mode, you’ll be able to see the mode you are in via the display. Eco is displayed as a white S, Comfort is a green S, and Sport is a red S.

Headlight and Taillight

Positioned at the top of the stem is a 3W LED headlight. Unlike what we saw on the X7 Pro, this light doesn’t protrude out – and it looks all the sleeker for it. Would you benefit from buying an extra headlight? In brief, yes.

The Max also comes equipped with a taillight built into the rear fender. In a complete role reversal to the headlight, the taillight protrudes out of the fender. Yet, its new design is more noticeable at night.

Removable Battery

It’s one of the X7 Max’s most distinguishable features, and rightly so. The removable battery is a real game-changer for everyday scooter riders.

Attached to the stem, it can easily be taken off and replaced with a spare, while a lock key ensures there’s no chance of it being stolen when not in use.

IPX4 Water-Resistance Rating

The X7 Max is billed as a tough, rugged scooter for daily use, so it would be foolish of Turboant not to equip it with a water-resistance rating. Thankfully, they’ve obliged. The Max can be taken out in light showers without any ill effects; it’ll also swat water splashes aside.

We don’t recommend venturing outside in heavy downpours – but then again, no electric scooter is built for such weather.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

The X7 Max comes with Turboant’s customary one-year limited warranty, and a return and refund policy of thirty days for new and unused products.

It’s worth noting, however, that the length of the warranty depends on the components. While structural parts, the LED display, outer tires, and charging cables are all one year, the battery, charger, controller, motor, and lights are only covered for six months.

As is usually the case, the warranty does not cover accidental damage, wear and tear, or issues deriving from misuse.