MOZA R3 Xbox bundle:
a small start in direct drive.

Review disclosure: MOZA supplied the R3 bundle for review, and I retained it. This article reflects my original August 2024 testing. I may earn a commission if you buy through the affiliate product link, at no extra cost to you.

I tested the R3 in my home office, using the sort of desk arrangement that makes sense for a first wheel or an occasional racing setup. It was easy to put away when I needed the space back. The direct-drive response was appealing, but the modest strength and basic steering wheel kept reminding me that this was an entry-level package.

What came in the reviewed bundle

The Xbox bundle combined the R3 direct-drive base, a 280 mm ESX steering wheel, two SR-P Lite pedals and a table clamp, with the cables and power supply needed for the setup.

My original review discussed a US$399 price, often rounded to $400 in the script. That was the price at the time, rather than a current offer.

It was a practical starting package because I did not have to assemble a separate wheel, base and pedal purchase. The compact size also helped when using a room that served other purposes.

MOZA’s current store lists separate Xbox-and-PC and PC bundles. The product button below selects the Xbox version reviewed here; check that choice if console support is the reason you are buying.

SR-P Lite pedals: solid, but basic

The included pedals were SR-P Lite, rather than the separate SR-P pedal model. Their metal construction felt reassuring for an entry-level set.

The throttle moved smoothly and responded well, although I would have liked more resistance. The brake was usable, but it did not give me the same confidence as the load-cell pedals I was accustomed to.

These pedals measure movement with Hall sensors. They are not a load-cell set, and adding a spring-and-damper performance kit should not be confused with converting the brake to load-cell sensing.

I could adjust the spacing and pedal faces to suit my position. They could also be hard mounted, while the rubber pads provided some grip when I placed the assembly on the floor.

An optional SR-P Lite clutch and brake performance kit offered ways to change the basic setup. Those are extra purchases, so compare the total you actually plan to use.

The ESX wheel was my main reservation

The 280 mm rim felt small in my hands. I would have preferred something closer to the larger wheels I normally use, with a more premium-feeling covering.

The polyurethane grips did their job, but the material felt inexpensive to me. I also noticed some flex in the wheel, which did not prevent me from driving but detracted from the feel.

The buttons were familiar in a game-controller sort of way, and the wheel provided twenty-two inputs. I missed having rotary controls for quick adjustments to car settings.

The metal paddle shifters had a click that became annoying to me over time. Noise is personal, but it was one of the things I would want a buyer to hear in the video.

The rev-light strip worked in my PC use, but it did not operate in the Xbox titles I tested. That is a statement about my original test, not a promise about every game or later update.

A compact and convenient wheelbase

The R3 base was impressively small. Its metal housing felt solid, and it was easy to store away in my office when I was finished racing.

The included clamp made the desk setup practical, while the underside mounting holes provided an option for a cockpit.

MOZA’s quick release remained a strong point. It felt like part of the same ecosystem as its larger bases, rather than an entirely separate budget connection.

I would have preferred the power button on the front instead of the rear, where it was less convenient to reach. That was a small usability complaint about an otherwise tidy little unit.

How the 3.9 Nm base felt

The direct-drive response was smooth and quick, with small details coming through more clearly than I expected from the compact hardware.

What I kept wanting was more overall strength. The advertised 3.9 Nm peak torque describes a modest base, and I could feel that limitation during driving.

There was detail to enjoy, but less force behind it than I prefer for immersion. Software adjustment could improve the balance of effects, but it could not turn the R3 into a substantially stronger wheelbase.

I also tried heavier MOZA wheels on PC. A larger, heavier wheel made the limited strength more apparent, so I would not buy the smallest base while planning immediately around a heavy premium rim.

For a first direct-drive experience, it still had a lot to offer. My reservations came from what I was used to and wanted from the steering, not from expecting every new racer to share the same preferences.

Xbox games and compatibility

My Xbox testing included Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport, Assetto Corsa, F1 23 and Assetto Corsa Competizione. The feel varied substantially between them.

Assetto Corsa gave me my favourite experience in that test. Forza Horizon felt more arcade-like, which made the difference between games as relevant as the hardware itself.

The Xbox-compatible ESX wheel was part of the licensed setup. Swapping to another MOZA wheel for PC use did not mean that wheel would also retain Xbox support.

Pedals connected through the base for my Xbox arrangement. Additional peripherals and telemetry functions can depend on the game as well as the hardware, so check MOZA’s current compatibility guidance for the specific combination you want.

My original comments should not be read as every accessory or every racing title working identically on Xbox and PC.

Pit House and mobile adjustments

I used MOZA’s software and companion app to adjust the driving feel. Having mobile control was useful around a console setup.

There were options for force feedback, pedal response and the balance of effects. Taking time with both the in-game settings and the MOZA settings made a difference.

The modest torque meant I had to be realistic about how much of each effect I wanted. I preferred finding a useful balance to simply turning everything up.

Firmware, operating modes and game support may have changed since August 2024. Follow the current instructions when setting up a bundle now, especially if it is not recognised on the intended platform.

Who I would buy it for

The R3 made most sense to me as a first wheel, an occasional desk setup or an Xbox package for someone moving away from a controller without a large initial outlay.

If I already knew I wanted stronger steering and planned to race regularly, I would compare more powerful bundles before buying. The initial saving matters less if I soon want to replace the base.

The pedals were solid for the category, but the basic brake and small-feeling wheel were clear compromises. The quick release, metal base and included clamp were meaningful positives.

My verdict was therefore mixed in a useful way: the R3 provided an approachable direct-drive experience, but I personally wanted more force and a better-feeling wheel.

Choose it for the complete package and the needs of your setup. If your expectations already extend beyond its strength and supplied controls, budget for that at the start rather than assuming accessories will solve every limitation.

About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official Xbox bundle listing was checked for the current destination and included ESX wheel, SR-P Lite pedals and clamp.