PXN VD Series Direct Drive Wheel Bases - Detailed Review

PXN’s new VD Series marks the company’s first serious step into the direct drive wheelbase market. The lineup consists of three bases – the VD4, VD6, and VD10 – each defined by their constant torque output and price point. The VD4 delivers 4Nm and is currently only offered as part of a bundle with a two-pedal set and steering wheel for $299 USD. The VD6 increases that to 6Nm, sold as a base-only option for $329 USD, while the VD10 pushes to 10Nm as a base-only unit for $369 USD.

On paper, these figures are aggressive, placing PXN’s offerings directly against entry-level competitors such as Moza’s R3, R5, and R9, as well as Simagic’s Alpha Evo. But in a market already this crowded, sharp pricing alone won’t be enough .

In this review we’ll see how the VD Series stacks up across build quality, software, ecosystem, and most importantly, driving feel. We’ll also compare the three bases to find the sweet spot in the range, and take a look at PXN’s steering wheels and pedal set to understand whether the brand delivers a complete package at this end of the market. By the end, whether you’re shopping for your first direct drive base or weighing PXN against more established players, you’ll know whether the VD Series deserves a place in your rig.

All three VD Series bases share the same construction, scaling only in motor output. They use a 24-bit magnetic encoder, offering precise positional tracking, paired with a smooth motor design that avoids cogging or notching in use. Internally, the soldering and cable work appeared tidy and secure, with no quality concerns noted.

The quick release follows a D1/NRG-style design and also carries power and data through front-facing pins. With PXN’s own wheels this worked seamlessly, and there was no play or slop in the engagement. However, it does mean compatibility with third-party wheels is not straightforward — plugging in Moza or Simagic rims risks shorting pins unless you remove or insulate the PCB. For an entry-level ecosystem this is acceptable, but it limits flexibility compared to more open systems.

The housing combines an aluminum body with plastic end caps, with cooling fins cut into the case. Importantly, the bases ran cool even after extended use, and with no internal fan there are no moving parts to wear out or accumulate dust. Mounting is straightforward thanks to a standard Fanatec/Moza-style bolt pattern, and a metal table clamp is included with some bundles for those without a cockpit.

PXN’s tuning software provides the essential adjustments you’d expect, but little beyond that. You get sliders for overall strength, damping, friction, and inertia, but the range of settings is narrow compared to what Moza or Simagic allow. This means you can tailor broad feel — making the wheel heavier or lighter, smoothing or sharpening responses — but you don’t have the finer control to tune out some of the shortcomings in the force feedback.

Profiles can be saved and swapped, which makes it easy to set up different feels for GT, open-wheel, or rally titles. Firmware updates are handled directly within the software, and during testing these applied without issue, though multiple updates were required to reach the latest stable release.

The interface itself is functional but plain, more reminiscent of early Moza Pit House than the polished interfaces from more mature brands. For beginners its simplicity can be a positive, but experienced users will likely find the toolset restrictive.

PXN also offers a mobile dashboard that connects via your local Wi-Fi network. This provides live telemetry such as speed, gear, and RPM, but does not offer any customisation. While more of a novelty than a serious tool, it’s an interesting addition at this price point and may appeal to those who want a quick and easy dash solution. For more advanced functionality, third-party options like SimHub remain the go-to.

PXN’s VD ecosystem currently relies on three PXN wheels. The VD4 bundles include a 280 mm “W AS” wheel with a solid aluminum quick release. Engagement is secure with no play or slop, and the QR feels similar in execution to Moza Racing. All three PXN wheels come with magnetic shifters and analog clutch paddles, with a bite-point mode available in software — not a given at this price point. The more expensive W CS R2 wheel uses a plastic rear housing, though rigidity in use was fine.

Where PXN’s ecosystem falls short is in third-party support. Unlike recent trends, there’s no USB pass-through quick release. Unless you run a cable directly to the PC and bypass the QR electronics with some tape, or disconnect entirely, you’re effectively limited to PXN’s own rims. An official pass-through QR accessory would greatly improve long-term flexibility, but at launch it’s not available.

The pedal sets bundled with PXN bases are entry-level. However, since the VD Series is PC-only, you’re free to mix in any USB-compatible pedals or accessories from other brands, which gives some flexibility despite PXN’s limited native ecosystem.  The VD4 ships with a two-pedal set (throttle/brake), while VD6 bundles step up to a three-pedal kit. Both use Hall-effect position sensors, which avoid wear issues but don’t offer the precision and finesse of load-cell braking. The two-pedal kit uses identical pedals, and while the three-pedal version adds a small elastomer/spring stack for the brake, overall definition is basic. Software offers curve shaping and mapping, but lacks calibration and dead-zone adjustment — meaning small amounts of unintentional input (like resting your foot on the brake) can’t easily be corrected.

PXN also offers a budget-friendly shifter, button box, and handbrake, though we haven’t tested these as of yet.

Overall, PXN provides just enough to get newcomers started — but for experienced sim racers looking to expand with higher-quality pedals or alternative wheels, the ecosystem remains limited compared to more established brands.

Conclusion

The PXN VD Series lands in a crowded segment with aggressive pricing, competent hardware, and enough refinement to make the VD4 and VD6 genuine options for newcomers. The VD10, while strong on paper in terms of torque-per-dollar, was held back by less convincing force feedback and quirks that undermined its value case.

Across all three models, build quality was solid, and the inclusion of magnetic shifters, analog clutch paddles, and bite-point functionality on the bundled wheels stood out at this price level. The quick release was secure with no play, though lack of a pass-through option makes third-party wheel support very limited. Pedals are usable but basic, and PXN’s wider ecosystem remains underdeveloped compared to established brands.

The software experience was straightforward but lacked advanced tuning options, leaving the feel less refined than competitors. The mobile dash app was a unique inclusion, but ultimately more novelty than tool.

For beginners, the VD4 bundle at $299 offers a complete starting point that delivers far more than belt-drive or gear-driven sets at similar prices. The VD6 base at $329 is the most convincing all-rounder, providing enough torque for many users without introducing the harsher feedback characteristics of the VD10. The VD10 at $369 gives headline torque, but its driving experience left it harder to recommend.