Vmax VX2 Hub review: strong, stable, but also somewhat sterile
31/3/2026
Translation: Megan Cornish
Stable, strong and safe, the Vmax VX2 Hub proves itself to be a reliable companion, even on longer journeys. I experience its strengths firsthand on a tour around Lake Constance.
Steckborn is a really beautiful little town in Thurgau on Lower Lake Constance and the starting point for my roughly 35-kilometre ride on the new Vmax VX2 Hub 874. In the car park, I haul the e-scooter out of the car. It weighs around 25 kilogrammes – just about manageable for taking with me regularly. Just unfold it, switch it on and off you go – the scooter from the Swiss manufacturer’s incredibly easy to use.
Lots of metal, not much plastic
I spot the first point of interest from the car park: a powder tower dating from 1497 with remnants of the city wall. My first real stop, though, is the Turmhof, a few hundred metres further on, right on Lake Constance – it dates right back to 1282. Now, if you’re wondering: Lake Constance, Lower Lake Constance – which is it? Lower Lake Constance is the smaller of the two lakes that make up Lake Constance. When people talk about Lake Constance, they usually mean the much larger upper lake.
Lower Lake Constance is much more tranquil, which I take in during my first photo session right by the water. I also examine the e-scooter in detail.
The Vmax VX2 Hub’s an evolution of the successful VX2 Pro model, which has been available for three years. The new version comes with a better motor, wider range and, for the first time, suspension. What remains unchanged is the Swiss manufacturer’s commitment to excellence.
The e-scooter’s solidly built: not much plastic, lots of metal, not elegant, but robust. This naturally makes it relatively heavy – as I noticed when getting it into and out of the car.
Successful slopes
On the way to Mammern, along Lake Constance, the scooter shows off its best features. The large footboard’s comfortable to stand on, and the VX2 Hub tracks very smoothly with no wobbling. This is especially handy in Steckborn itself, where the roads are pretty narrow and cars pass close by.
In heavier traffic, I’m glad the scooter has indicators. They allow me to easily signal to cars before turning. The Vmax has orange lights on both the rear light and the handlebars, so they’re clearly visible from both front and back. You can activate the indicator with the thumb of your left hand. The toggle switch is easy to find by touch, and you can operate it without having to look.
Outside of town, the roads become more bike-friendly, and I ride on a separate cycle path. The e-scooter works perfectly, and I can really enjoy the ride. However, the ride along the lake I’d planned doesn’t quite materialise. I cruise along a slightly elevated hillside, with a railway line, the main road and lakefront homes between me and the water. It looks beautiful down there.
The hilly route does have one benefit: I can test the motor better than on flat terrain. It has a nominal output of 500 watts and a maximum peak output of 1,900 watts. Among other things, it needs that much power to propel me up inclines. One of which is marked with a warning sign: 13 per cent.
The scooter easily manages this incline without slowing down. I can even stop in the middle, get off and start again, accelerating to 20 km/h. The same applies to heading out of my garage with its 19 per cent gradient. In everyday use, I doubt there’s any slope the Vmax can’t handle – even with a 100 kg load.
Brake and suspension issues
In Mammern, I take a short ride to the lake and enjoy the view. On the way back through the 30 km/h zone, I’m glad to have the Vmax’s good brakes. Because – as so often happens – drivers forget that right of way rules also apply to bikes and scooters. Knowing this, I’m ready to brake – and promptly have to slam on the brakes. The front drum brake and rear disc brake grip hard, allowing me to stop quickly and safely.
The VX2 Hub has good, even brakes, but lacks a braking aid such as electronic ABS. This technology could prevent the rear wheel locking up. Other similar models already offer this feature.
Thankfully, the remaining stretch to my scheduled stop, Stein am Rhein, passed without incident. Here, at the confluence of Lower Lake Constance and the Rhine, I took a short break to admire the beautiful old town with its brightly painted facades. If you’ve never been here, definitely plan a stop – Stein am Rhein may be small, but it’s charming.
This mid-route stop is also useful to test the suspension. Some cobblestone streets permit bikes – including e-scooters. Both axles of the VX2 Hub are damped, but the suspension’s pretty firm, though. On normal roads, it’s ideal because you have direct contact with the road and don’t constantly bounce around. On the rough cobblestones, you can feel the impact more. But the e-scooter dampens things just enough that the bumpy road isn’t unpleasant.
A farm shop detour’s another chance to shine
On the way back to my starting point, I spot a signpost to a farm shop with a view. I follow the signs and ride along dirt roads through the vineyards. This is no problem with the e-scooter, even though it feels more at home on paved surfaces.
The short detour to the Hoflädeli in der Halde (a farm shop in Halde) (website in German) is well worth it. I pour myself a fresh apple juice and enjoy it at a small table overlooking the lake. I also buy some dried apple slices for later – all from the farm’s own orchards.
Refreshed and energised, I zipped back to Steckborn, where I took stock. I’d covered 35 intense kilometres and used just under half the battery. So, on a single charge, I can manage around 70 to 75 kilometres with everyday use. The manufacturer claims you can do 90. Considering the hills, the multiple stops and the extra load, 70 to 75 kilometres of range is still a good everyday figure.
The VX2 Hub proved to be a reliable and robust companion. Its sturdy design, powerful motor and good brakes allow you to easily cover longer distances. The large 3.5-inch screen is easy to read, and the brightness automatically adjusts to the ambient light. You can also display navigation instructions directly via an app. However, if you prefer to ride without connecting your phone, you don’t necessarily need the app.
Its 1,400 Swiss franc price tag is steep. Choosing the same scooter with a smaller battery is more affordable. You’d pay 1,100 Swiss francs for a range of 70 kilometres instead of 90. Incidentally, in Germany, you can only get the Vmax VX2 Hub 624 with a shorter range – for 1,200 euros. Ultimately, the deciding factors are the build quality and the cost of repairs and spare parts service in Switzerland.
In a nutshell
A stable e-scooter with no surprises
The Vmax VX2 Hub 874’s a robust allrounder for everyday use. In traffic, the e-scooter offers good suspension and handles inclines with ease. This model from the Swiss manufacturer folds easily and every aspect is well designed. The indicators, for example, are incredibly easy to operate with your thumb and clearly visible from both front and back.
The high price is due to the high quality, robust design – with almost no plastic – and large battery. A slightly cheaper version with a shorter range is available. The VX2 Hub 874 doesn’t offer any major innovations or surprises – but it’s still reliable, yet somewhat unexciting everyday transport.
Pro
- Powerful motor
- Sturdy
- Good brakes
- Long range
Contra
- Expensive
- Heavy frame
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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