SVEN GC-W650 Steering Wheel and Pedals Review – A Practical Entry into the World of Racing Sims

Technical specifications

• Connection interface: USB
• Connection type: wired
• Number of buttons: 21
• Vibration feedback: yes
• Handlebar diameter: 260 mm
• Rotation angle: 270°
• Mounting type: suction cups, clamp
• Cable length: 1.9 m
• Steering block dimensions: 260 × 270 × 310 mm
• Pedal unit dimensions: 230 × 135 × 305 mm
• Steering unit weight: 1524 g
• Pedals weight: 610 g
• Platform compatibility: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch , PC, Android

Packaging and design

The SVEN GC-W650 looks like a classic steering wheel and pedals set. The design is simple and avoids any ostentatious aggressiveness. The shape and layout of the device are primarily focused on functionality. The set comes in a sturdy cardboard box with full-color printing. Inside are the steering wheel unit, pedal module, plastic clamp for attaching the wheel to a table , driver CD, manual, and warranty documentation.

The pedal unit is made of plastic and consists of two pedals—an accelerator and a brake, which can also be used as a reverse pedal in some games. The pedals vary in size: the accelerator is narrower, the brake is wider, making them easier to distinguish visually and tactilely. The distance between them is moderate, so your foot doesn’t “catch” the adjacent pedal when actively controlling it.

The pedal surface is a plastic platform with circular protrusions. The pedals offer good grip, and the pedals themselves are soft and smooth. Rubber dampers inside the pedal housing reduce the noise caused by sharp pedal presses. The underside of the pedal unit features anti-slip elements and a fold-out, textured stop for more secure placement on the floor. The pedals are connected directly to the steering wheel via a cable.

The steering wheel itself is designed in a traditional format with a rounded steering wheel. The rim is partially covered with a rubberized material with perforations in the grip areas. The wheel diameter is approximately 25 centimeters, and the rim thickness is approximately 3 centimeters, providing a secure grip. The wheel feels neither overly bulky nor too thin.

The front of the wheel is almost entirely filled with controls. On the right is the ABXY button cluster, designed in the familiar gamepad diamond pattern. On the left is the D-pad, as well as additional buttons that function as L- and R-groups 1 through 3.

The central part of the wheel is dedicated to auxiliary controls—buttons for switching layout modes and adjusting sensitivity. A solution for connecting the original console gamepad via a separate USB port is also implemented here. This allows the wheel to be correctly detected in the system.

On the back of the rim are two “petals.” They’re large and easy to feel with your fingers. They won’t require you to adjust your grip.

The steering wheel base rests on four suction cups designed for mounting on smooth surfaces. While the mount provides acceptable stability on a glossy table, the suction cups are of course ineffective on rough or porous surfaces. For these applications, a supplied clamp is included. Made of plastic, it allows the steering wheel to be secured to a tabletop up to 63 mm thick. The lower part of the housing features slots for the clamp, allowing for two different steering wheel offsets relative to the tabletop. The fit can be slightly adjusted to suit individual preferences and the specific needs of your workspace.

Overall, the SVEN GC-W650’s appearance leaves the impression of a neatly assembled and functional device, despite its many plastic components. The controls are logically and conveniently arranged. The steering wheel feels pleasant to the touch, but the glossy areas are a bit prone to fingerprints, again due to the nature of the plastic coating.

Features and impressions

The SVEN GC-W650 was designed as an affordable yet functional gaming wheel with an emphasis on intuitive control logic. This logic is clearly evident in the layout of the input controls. It has 21 keys, allowing all essential functions to be integrated directly onto the wheel—removing the need for a gamepad or keyboard , even in games like ETS2.

The device supports programmable buttons. Actions can be reassigned through the settings of specific games, as well as using a dedicated button reassignment key on the steering wheel. Everything is programmable at the device level; no special apps are required. There are even hotkeys for calibration. However, if you need a driver, you can download it from the official website. It is designed for axis calibration and subsequent testing.

The SVEN GC-W650’s feedback is implemented through vibration feedback. Naturally, this isn’t dynamic force feedback with high torque, but rather a vibration response that conveys basic road events. The steering wheel is capable of clearly informing the player of key changes in the car’s behavior, such as the onset of a skid, loss of traction, or hitting bumps or curbs. Given the model’s technical limitations, the feedback is implemented quite well.

When you release the rim, the wheel tends to return to a neutral position. The 270-degree rotation angle matches the device’s format and is more than suitable for most popular racing games. Using the control button, the user can select one of three sensitivity levels to vary the steering wheel’s response—from sharper and faster to smoother and more relaxed—depending on the genre and the user’s preferences.

Let me remind you that the rim’s dimensions are universal—its 260 mm diameter is close to that of compact car steering wheels, providing a reasonable balance between grip comfort and size. Indeed, the SVEN GC-W650 doesn’t require much desk space, yet maintains a sense of control and realism while driving .

A significant practical advantage is its broad platform compatibility . The SVEN GC-W650 works correctly with Windows PCs, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and 4, as well as Android devices and Nintendo Switch. However, not all its features are available on all platforms. For example, vibration feedback will not work correctly on PlayStation 3 or Android devices.

Both X-Input and D-Input modes are supported. X-Input ensures stable wheel recognition in modern games designed for Xbox controllers , while D-Input maintains compatibility with older or more specific games. The wheel is seamlessly detected in a wide range of racing games and requires no complex manual configuration.

The PC connection cable is 1.9 meters long, more than enough for most standard scenarios. There’s an audio port for connecting a headset directly to the wheel, but it only works when connected to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. Unfortunately, the SVEN GC-W650 isn’t yet compatible with the latest generation PlayStation, but this is one of the few design flaws considering its price point.

Conclusion

The SVEN GC-W650 offers a convenient button layout, clear vibration feedback, a reasonable rotation angle, and a well-made, stable pedal set. While simple in design, it functions correctly and is easy to use. Its broad platform compatibility and X-Input and D-Input support make it a versatile solution for a variety of games, from modern racing games to classic titles. It also requires little setup and fits comfortably on even a small desk.

Clearly, vibration feedback doesn’t replace full-fledged force feedback, and the body materials are mostly plastic, lacking any extra durability or premium tactile feel. Nevertheless, if you consider the SVEN GC-W650 an affordable entry into the world of steering wheels, it seems like a worthwhile purchase compared to many far less well-built competitors.