Navee UT5 Ultra X E-Scooter Review: This Much Fun Should Be Illegal
A fast, powerful, exhilarating, and premium ride experience.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Electric scooters have long been viewed as a mobility device that offers a degree of utility. So much so that rental versions can be found in most major cities, allowing pedestrians to quickly grab one for short commutes through urban environments. Those e-scooters aren’t necessarily all that fun to ride and are often viewed simply as a way to get from Point A to Point B. But scooter manufacturer Navee offers a lineup of excellent models that are so well built and fun that they are actually worth buying for personal use, like the fantastic ST3 Pro that we reviewed last year. Now, the company has taken things to an entirely new level with the arrival of the Navee UT5 Ultra X, which delivers sports car-like performance in a very attractive package.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Fast, Fabulous Fun
The UT5 Ultra X fits squarely into the burgeoning category of “super scooters.” At the moment, there aren’t too many of these on the market, as they carry a price tag (more on that later) that appeals more to a scooter or e-mobility enthusiast rather than a casual, mainstream buyer. The models that do fall into this category come with powerful motors, impressive specs, and outstanding build quality, which adds stability, durability, and longevity to the product. In other words, these scooters aren’t for everyone.
All of that said, those who are looking for an e-scooter that is engineered for speed and fun are absolutely going to love the UT5 Ultra X. This model is powered by dual 2400W motors, which pops out on paper but is even more impressive when used in the real world. These motors give the scooter quick, smooth, and controlled acceleration, while also maintaining speed on steep climbs. On multiple test rides, we zoomed up several hills that would have brought most other e-scooters to a complete stop, but this one reached the top without even much of a noticeable drop in speed.
Speaking of speed, the UT5 Ultra X is exhilaratingly fast. The scooter can hit a top speed in excess of 43 mph, which will definitely get your heart pumping. That’s achievable when riding in “Sport” mode, which also offers faster acceleration and better all-around power, at the expense of battery life, of course. The more standard “Eco” mode limits the top speed to 12 mph and is a more appropriate option when riding in an urban setting with other pedestrians and vehicle traffic. It’s worth mentioning that in “Sport” mode there is also a “Boost” option, which further enhances performance, but the UT5 Ultra X is so quick on its own, we rarely used this feature while testing. (Note: The scooter also has a “Walking” mode for when you want to easily move it around without actually riding.)
Navee says the UT5 Ultra X has a range of up to 75 miles on a single charge, but as always, real-world use will vary. Things like speed, terrain, rider weight, temperature, and other variables can impact exactly how far you’ll travel before depleting the battery. That said, during our testing, we were easily able to travel 55+ miles on a mix of steep hills and flat surfaces, riding most of the time in Eco mode. And unlike most e-scooters, this model actually comes with a regenerative braking system, which feeds kinetic energy back into the battery when slowing down. We had that set to the “medium” level, which means we could have potentially gotten even longer range if we had bumped up to the “high” setting.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Smooth, Controlled, and Safe
While the UT5 Ultra X’s dual motor set-up, gaudy top speed, and long range will certainly raise eyebrows, there are plenty of other features of note, too. For instance, the scooter is equipped with a dual hydraulic suspension, which smooths out the ride when rolling over uneven surfaces or rough terrain. Experienced riders can even adjust that suspension to fit their personal preferences, opting for a stiffer ride in the city or switch to a softer setting when venturing off-road.
The UT5 Ultra X also comes with rugged puncture-resistant tubeless tires, which offer good traction and improved ride comfort, rolling over a variety of terrain without issue. And on the topic of traction, the scooter also has traction control, which can be turned on and off as needed. During our testing, we kept it on most of the time and found that it provided a smoother riding experience, particularly on slick or wet pavement, or when accelerating from a stop. Front and rear disc brakes are also key in maintaining control at all times, with plenty of stopping power even when traveling at higher speeds.
Navee has made it easy for riders to stay visible—and thus safer—on the road, thanks to a slew of built-in lights. Those include a headlight with two brightness settings, projecting a vivid, powerful beam up to 246 feet out in front of the scooter. In the back, you’ll find a taillight, with braking indicator and turn signals, which are especially useful when riding on busy urban streets. There are even turn signal indicators embedded in the handlebars and ambient lighting on the scooter’s deck, which further help the scooter and rider stand out.
It should also be noted that along with all of the features mentioned above, the UT5 Ultra X actually looks beautiful. Its gold paint and sleek design further evoke that sports car feeling that we already alluded to. This isn’t a mundane-looking scooter in the least, and it will certainly draw attention when you’re buzzing along at 30+ mph.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Tech Features
One could argue that the powerful dual motors, double suspension, regenerative braking, and the long-range-enabling battery are plenty of technology crammed into one scooter. But Navee has given the UT5 Ultra X a plethora of other high-tech functionality that is sure to please owners. For instance, the companion smartphone app is super handy, allowing users to unlock extra features—like cruise control—and tune performance to meet their needs. It can also lock or unlock the scooter’s security features automatically based on proximity and serves as the conduit for firmware updates and troubleshooting.
Navee has also integrated the UT5 Ultra X into the Apple and Android Find My networks, which is handy for thwarting would-be thieves. Essentially, you add the scooter to your “Find My” app on either mobile OS and you’ll be able to see its location at all times. This provides a nice peace of mind when leaving your scooter parked in an urban environment, knowing that it can be electronically locked and can easily be tracked should someone try to steal it. As an extra measure of security, there is also a physical frame-mounted security lock that further prevents tampering.
We’d be remiss in mentioning the scooter’s tech features if we didn’t also point out its excellent digital display. The UT5 Ultra X comes with the best screen we’ve seen on an e-scooter—or e-bike for that matter—offering up all the information you could need at a glance. At 3.5” in length, it is definitely one of the larger displays we’ve come across, and it is bright enough to be read even in bright sunlight or while wearing sunglasses. It crisply shows your current speed, distance ridden, battery level, ride mode, and more. Like the rest of the scooter, the LCD feels like a premium feature that you definitely won’t find on entry-level, or even mid-range, models.
Photo Credit: Navee
A Super Scooter
In case you couldn’t tell, we’re very impressed with what Navee has brought to the table with the UT5 Ultra X. It is a top-notch e-scooter in every way, offering a smooth ride, controlled and nimble handling, great range, and plenty of power. All of that adds up to a mobility device that is incredibly fun to ride, which as we noted above is something that is rare—and sorely missing—from this product space. This is a scooter you’ll want to ride just for the fun of it and to see how far you can push its capabilities, rather than just when you need to get from one place to another. That makes it far more worth owning than most other models from lesser-known, and frankly less capable, manufacturers.
That said, as always there are a few nits to pick. For starters, this scooter is very heavy, tipping the scales at a little over 90 lbs. Considering the quality of its components and long list of features, that probably doesn’t come as a surprise. Still, it does limit its portability to a degree, as lugging it up and down a flight of stairs isn’t easy, nor is loading it into the trunk of a car, bed for truck, or an RV storage space. On the other hand, that weight is a testament to how well the UT5 Ultra X is made. This thing is built like a tank and nearly as durable.
The other caveat that comes with a scooter of this quality, features, and capabilities is its price. With an MSRP of $2500, the Navee UT5 Ultra X isn’t cheap. The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies here, however, as you simply won’t find an e-scooter that offers a smoother or faster ride, not to mention an all-around refined experience, for less money. For many buyers, this unit will be overkill, offering more performance than they actually need. But for those who have the cash and want a true “super scooter” this one is worth every penny.
The Navee UT5 Ultra X is available now. To learn more about this fantastic e-scooter, including full specs and where to buy, visit the company’s website.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
