Review: VMax New VX4 Electric Scooter

Power and durability are my first two considerations when I test a vehicle like an electric scooter. Range, controls, and ease of use are also important, but as a heftier guy who’s notoriously tough on gear, I need something that can haul my bulk and put up with abuse. Thanks to a top tested speed of 37.3 miles per hour, excellent hill power, and a beefy, full-suspension chassis, the VMax New VX4 electric scooter did both in spades.

Full disclosure: I’m a motorcycle guy. My 1200cc Harley Davidson Sportster was one of my most prized possessions. So it takes a lot for me to be impressed by an electric vehicle. My hopes weren’t high when the VX4 showed up, but after a few weeks of hair-raising rides, VMAX’s new electric scooter has my attention.

And one more thing: The New VX4 from VMax was released in late 2025 and is an upgraded version of the older VX4, with a higher top speed, suspension upgrades, and a better stem-locking system. Since the old VX4 is still available, VMax is calling the 2025 version the New VX4. I didn't make a mistake; don’t ask me why VMax didn’t call it the VX4i or something.

Out of the Box

Photograph: Billy Brown

Setting up the New VX4 is fast and simple. The box includes the scooter, handlebar screws, a hex wrench, and the charging cables. Slide the handlebars into the stem and secure them with the included screws and hex wrench, and it’s ready to go. I was up and running inside of five minutes. Running at speed took a bit longer.

The New VX4 arrives in Eco mode, which has a top speed of 15 miles per hour. That’ll get you where you’re going, but it’s not going to give you goose bumps. Curiously, Sport mode also tops out at 15 miles per hour, but it gets you there fast. The torque is so powerful in sport mode that it took most of my first ride to learn to brace myself against the rapid acceleration.

In addition to the speed modes, you can also control the start settings (roll or throttle), top speeds, password settings, and more on the app, which is a common feature in electric scooters. What’s more impressive is that the app isn’t absolutely necessary, since you can access all of those controls through the bright, clear, TFT display.

Photograph: Billy Brown

At first, I was annoyed that I couldn't mount my phone on the handlebars. But once I realized that you can access every feature and adjustment on the display, I appreciated the ability to put my phone away and just enjoy the ride. Unlike simpler dot displays you’ll find on other scooters, the New VX4’s TFT display is bright, clear, and vibrant, even in direct sunlight. Navigation is simple thanks to the intuitive interface and responsive buttons.

The app itself is a bit bare-bones, but I like that the app isn’t required to use the scooter. VMax doesn’t force you to register, and you don’t have to worry about connection issues.

For all of the customization features, I’d have loved to see a way to adjust the acceleration. I’m no stranger to a quick start, but it still took me a few runs to learn how to shift my weight when I gunned it. I’m a fan of the torque, but it might be too much for some people. In lieu of customizing the acceleration rate, the New VX4 offers a less powerful Eco mode and a roll-start option that requires you to get the scooter rolling before the throttle engages. The scooter still hops to when you throttle down, but it isn’t nearly as jarring with the rolling start.

Feel the Power

Photograph: Billy Brown

The New VX4 weighs 60 pounds, which isn’t unreasonable for loading into a trunk or carrying a short distance. If you live on the third floor with no elevator, the weight would get real old, real fast. But if you’re looking for a full-commute scooter, the full suspension, big battery, and powerful motor more than justifies that weight.

A good chunk of this weight is the New VX4’s battery. I tested the long-range version, which claims 68 miles in Eco mode on flat ground. If you’re like me and run it in Beast mode the whole time, you can expect to get around 33 miles on somewhat hilly terrain.

The overall riding experience is excellent. Both Eco and Sport modes top out at 15 miles per hour, but the Sport mode has faster acceleration and more overall power. In Sport mode, the 2800-watt peak motor took me from a full stop to 15 miles per hour in about 2 seconds, and I was cruising at 21 miles per hour in about 10 seconds. The speedy acceleration was especially useful at intersections where I’d want to zip out ahead of the other cars.

The Beast Mode setting really set the New VX4 apart. It’s kind of a secret menu item in that it’s not something you can find by searching through the display menu. But if you read the manual, it says that pressing the power button five times in a row unlocks Beast Mode, which increases the top speed. Beast mode’s top speed is a reported 37 miles per hour. I weigh 215 pounds, so I expected the top speed with me on it to be lower. But when I floored it, I hit a top speed of 37.3 miles per hour, which means a lighter user might get closer to 40 miles per hour. (Make sure you check out your state and local laws to verify speed limits for e-scooters where you live.)

Riding at top speed with scooters usually feels a bit sketchy. Speed wobbles, a shaky platform, and a general loss of control always made me feel like I was on the edge of disaster. That’s not the case with the New VX4. Thanks to the dual suspension, wide platform, and ideal stem placement, I never felt any loss of control, even at high speeds.

Photograph: Billy Brown

The cruise control feature is another secret menu item I had to find in the manual, but it's very useful. Pressing the power button three times activates the cruise control setting. After five seconds at the same speed, the scooter stays at that speed until you press the brake or speed up. It’s perfect for sitting back and enjoying the ride on long stretches.

Not only is the New VX4 speedy on the flats, but the V-Torque R10 hub motor flew up hills with ease. Adjustable oil-dampered suspension on the front and rubber suspension on the rear (along with the 10-inch tubeless tires) ate up the bumps on rough roads and delivered a buttery ride on smooth roads. I took it on a few shortcuts through the dirt roads behind my neighborhood, and it handled the rough terrain with no problem.

There's a headlight and bright, attention-grabbing turn signals on the handles and the rear bumper. Both are easily accessed on the left handlebar. Instead of a horn, there’s a bell that sounds like a classic bike bell. Considering that this scooter is otherwise built for navigating traffic, I’d feel a lot more confident in a more aggressive way to get a driver’s attention.

The scooter is IPX6-rated, and I made a point of taking it out in some spring downpours. It shrugged off the moisture, and the tires never felt slippery on wet pavement.

Folding and unfolding the scooter was a piece of cake. Undo the latch on the stem, engage the catch on the back of the deck, and pull the stem down until it hooks onto the catch. It’s simple, secure, and it feels very solid when I carry it around. The stem is a little thick, so folks with smaller hands might have a harder time carrying it around, but I didn’t have a problem with it.

I’ve always preferred electric bikes over electric scooters, but over the last few weeks of testing, my ebikes are gathering dust. I’ve taken it to my barber, to the gym, and for countless joyrides just for the fun of it. Ultimately, the VMAX New VX4 rides the line between a commuter vehicle and a toy. It’s an absolute blast to ride, whether you’re cruising to work or out for an afternoon ride.