GOTRAX released the Xr Elite last year, and it we ranked it one of the best budget scooters you could buy thanks to its incredible price-to-range ratio. The scooter costs around $399, but offers 16.6 miles of ESG tested range thanks to its 281 watt hour and electron-sipping motors.

The XR Elite is similar to the Xr line, but has an upgraded folding mechanism, larger deck, larger 8.5 inch tires, an upgraded kickstand, powered LED taillights, and tons of retro-reflectors for visibility.

For these reasons, we think the Elite is one of the best electric scooters in this price range.

However, take note: at the time of writing, GOTRAX post-purchase support is reportedly poor. The Elite itself is fantastic, but buyers may purchase from large retailers with generous return policies in case you have an issue with the scooter.

The GOTRAX Xr Elite accelerated to nearly 15 mph (14.5 mph) in 7.6 seconds with a 165 lb rider.

You can compare the performance of the Xr with others we've reviewed on our performance page.

The XR Elite completed our 200 feet, 10% grade hill climb test with a 165 lb rider in 23.9 seconds with an average speed of 5.7 mph.

We tested the top speed of the GOTRAX Elite to be 14.5 mph on the flat, with a 165 lb rider.

The Xr Elite had a tested range of 16.6 mi, based on our real-world range tests.

We tested the scooter on a test loop with hills, stops, and other terrains that simulate a typical urban commute. The scooter was ridden by a 165 lb rider in the fastest (least conserving) mode and as quickly as was safe.

Thie range test provides a realistic assessment of the typical range that one would expect and is typically less than that claimed by the manufacturer under ideal conditions.

You can compare the tested range of this scooter with others on our real-world testing page.

The Xr Elite has both a mechanical disc brake (rear) and an electronic (regenerative) brake in the front.

We tested the 15 mph stopping distance to be 14.9 feet. This is a good result -- we consider anything under 20 feet to be excellent.

The Xr Elite has large 8.5 inch pneumatic (air-filled) inner-tube tires and no suspension. The air-filled tires give a very comfortable ride on smooth, paved roads. On rougher roads, you'll notice more vibrations, though the pneumatic tires do provide some cushioning.

Compared to other GOTRAX scooters, the Elite has the largest deck -- making it the most comfortable of the GOTRAX scooters for riding.

The Elite tips the scale at 31.8 lb and folds down to a compact 41 inches long by 17 inches wide by 16 inches tall. Like its predecessors, the Xr Elite is a very portable scooter and should be easy to carry up stairs or lift into the back of the car. The Xr Elite features the upgraded GOTRAX folding mechanism with an additional locking pin for safety.

The Xr Elite has a simple handlebar/cockpit area with a large, bright central display and simple controls.

One change, compared to other GOTRAX scooters, is that the Elite has no "gears," meaning that the speed is uncapped, and you won't have to switch it over to Gear 2 every time you hop on to ride. We typically ride scooters as fast as they go; not having to mess with the gear settings is nice.

The cockpit also features nice handgrips, a quality thumb throttle, a smooth brake lever, and a handy bell for alerting others.

The Xr Elite has a bright white LED headlight, as well as a rear LED light on the fender. The rear fender LED is an upgrade over previous models that just feature a reflector.

The Elite is also fitted with retro-reflectors on the corner of the scooter that improves visibility.

For regular riding at night or in poor visibility conditions, we always recommend additional ultra-bright headlights and a taillight.

Learn more about staying visible at night.

The Elite features 8.5 inch front and rear pneumatic (air-filled) inner-tube tires. Air-filled tires are the best type for performance but run the risk of getting flats.

Fortunately, the Elite tires come pre-slimed, which will reduce your chance of getting a flat.

The Xr Elite deck has 19 inches by 6.8 inches of standing space and a rubber-coated deck that provides good grip in all weather conditions.

The Elite has 3.1 inches of ground clearance.

The XR Elite has an IP rating (water-resistance) of IP54, meaning that it can be ridden in light rain, but not submerged in water.

The XR Elite (and other GOTRAX models) has fantastic fit-and-finish and has the best quality of any scooter we've seen at this price range.

When purchasing a budget scooter like the Elite, it's important to keep in mind that though it's suitable for daily use, it is a budget scooter and is not going to be a tank.

The newly-introduced Xr Elite is the best GOTRAX scooter yet -- but is still competitively priced making it an excellent entry-level model.

If the GOTRAX Elite doesn't appeal to you, see our alternative suggestions. You can also check out our Editor’s pick of best electric scooters.

The Gotrax Xr Elite is available in United States from GOTRAX.

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