EVO Racing 32R:
versatile shape, noticeable flex.

Review disclosure: Thrustmaster supplied this wheel free of charge for review. It did not preview or influence my original review. The original video includes a separate Sim Sport Gadget sponsor segment. The Thrustmaster product link below is not an affiliate link.

The EVO Racing 32R Leather introduced a modular hub that could accept different rims and paddles. I tested the original round-wheel configuration on my Thrustmaster T818, using it across rally, GT and road-car driving. It was comfortable and versatile, but the flex I felt through corners mattered more to me than the promise of future accessories.

The setup behind this review

I paired the EVO wheel with the T818 wheelbase Thrustmaster had previously supplied. My testing was on PC; I did not test it on a PlayStation or Xbox.

The wheel depends on a compatible Thrustmaster base. Two quick-release holders came in the box for the older screw-style and newer latch-style connections.

The native T818 connection made it a convenient round-wheel option for that base. For another setup, check the exact base, platform and supported functions rather than assuming the wheel alone provides console compatibility.

Thrustmaster’s current listing also notes that Xbox protocol limits affect some encoders, LEDs and button functions. My PC experience should not be read as a test of those console features.

A comfortable rim around a plastic hub

The 320 mm round rim suited the mix of driving I had in mind. Its synthetic leather covering, yellow stitching and brushed aluminium faceplate felt comfortable and looked appropriate for a conventional racing wheel.

The central hub was predominantly plastic, with metal paddle arms and paddles. The subtle carbon-look pattern on the hub was a visual treatment, rather than a carbon-fibre structure.

I liked the rim’s familiar shape, but the overall construction did not have the premium feel I wanted at its launch price.

The bigger concern appeared while driving: I could feel the wheel bending and flexing, especially through corners with higher forces.

The plastic quick release may have contributed alongside the wheel assembly. I did not isolate and measure each source, so I would not attribute all of that movement to one component.

Whatever the exact split, it was noticeable enough to take something away from the driving experience. That belongs near the centre of the buying decision.

Adjustable controls with a few missed opportunities

The control layout provided plenty of assignments, with push buttons, four rotary encoders that also pressed, and a four-direction D-pad.

The upper thumb-button modules were a thoughtful feature. Loosening a Torx screw allowed each module to slide up or down to suit my hands.

That adjustment helped me reach the controls comfortably. It was more useful than simply adding another button in a fixed position.

The buttons had a responsive click, although some were small, particularly the lower buttons on the thumb modules.

The encoders had firm detents. I liked that they resisted accidental adjustments, but someone who prefers a lighter rotary may find them stiff.

The D-pad was textured and easy to locate. I would have preferred a seven-way switch with a press function for navigating things such as iRacing’s black boxes.

Labels and rev lights

The included sticker sheet was less helpful than it could have been. Numbers and coloured designs required me to remember what each assignment meant, rather than identifying familiar car functions directly.

There were few choices for the smaller buttons and none for the rotary encoders. Small button faces also limited the usefulness of ordinary text labels.

The seven LEDs were positioned on top of the hub. I appreciated having rev and race information, but I would have preferred a front-facing arrangement and a broader display.

In the configuration I reviewed, the lighting options felt basic. Those observations describe the original 2024 experience, rather than a new test of every current game or firmware combination.

Long paddles made sense for rally

The curved rally paddles were generously sized and easy to reach when the wheel was turned. That was particularly useful in rally driving, where I was working through larger steering angles.

Their quiet activation was pleasant, but the tactile sensation was a little dull. I liked the shape more than the feel of the actual shift.

There was some reach adjustment through the mounting positions. A sliding mechanism would have made it easier to find an exact position between those settings.

The long paddles were one of the clearest reasons to choose this configuration over a wheel with much smaller shifters. I did not measure a shift-speed advantage.

Modularity takes some work

The detachable hub was intended to support other rims and paddle shapes. It offered a way to change the wheel’s character without replacing all of its electronics.

Removing the original rim required undoing ten Torx screws. It was manageable, but this was not a quick swap in the way changing a complete wheel at the base could be.

At the time of the video, further EVO accessories were still being discussed. My review covered the supplied 32R configuration; it was not a hands-on assessment of an entire range of interchangeable parts.

I would choose this wheel for how the included rim and paddles work now, then treat other compatible accessories as a separate purchase decision.

Where I enjoyed using it

The round rim felt natural for rally and for driving road cars in Assetto Corsa. Its size and grip suited that familiar steering-wheel experience.

The long paddles were useful during rally stages, and the adjustable thumb modules helped keep the important inputs within reach.

In Assetto Corsa Competizione, it suited some of the older cars. For modern GT-style driving, I still preferred a shape closer to Thrustmaster’s Ferrari 488 GT3 wheel.

The EVO had enough controls for everyday functions such as lights and wipers. Better labels would have made switching between assignments easier.

Its versatility was real, but it did not erase the flex. Under stronger cornering loads, I remained aware of that movement.

My verdict at the original price

The original video quoted a US launch price of $299.99. That is historical context, rather than a current offer; check the official store for today’s regional price.

At that price, I thought the EVO was a little expensive for its construction and driving feel. Something nearer $250 would have felt more convincing to me at the time.

It made the clearest sense for an existing Thrustmaster owner who specifically wanted a round wheel, more inputs and the long rally paddles. On the T818, the native quick release was convenient.

For an owner of an older base, I would also weigh whether another wheel was the most useful next purchase, or whether that money should go toward a larger base upgrade.

If starting from scratch, I would compare complete ecosystems, including the base, wheels and quick-release arrangement. A review of one 2024 wheel is not a current ranking of every competing system.

The EVO 32R was comfortable and useful across several types of driving. I just wanted a more solid feel and a few better control choices before calling it an easy recommendation.

About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official Thrustmaster product listing was checked for the product destination and its console-feature caveat. Hands-on impressions come from my original T818/PC test.