Our review score is based on thorough real-world testing and is always held up against comparable models.
How We TestValues marked with '*' are based on our independent testing and may differ from those specified by the manufacturer.
2024 Note: The Tour XL-R is not available anymore. For alternatives, we recommend checking out our recent reviews or selection guide.
Over the past months, we’ve tested this electric scooter over more than 120 miles. We’ve benchmarked its performance and tested its capabilities and limits. Now, it’s time for us to give my hands-on review of the Tour XL-R. Discover exclusive findings and insights below.
The Evolv Tour XL-R was introduced to the market in 2020. It is a single-motor scooter but with plenty of speed powered by the 52V 1000W nominal rear-wheel hub motor. It has a 52V 18.2Ah LG battery with an effective capacity of 946 Watthours. The XL-R is equipped with 10-inch pneumatic tires and dual and rear spring suspension for a comfortable ride. The overall design emphasizes safety and comfort with its above-average lighting setup, highly ergonomic grips, and brake levers. The scooter weighs just above 50 pounds and folds together easily at the handlebars and stem using the convenient folding latch so it easily fits into a trunk.
It is marketed as a swift all-around solution for riders that want more out of their scooter than entry-level models can offer and with very few compromises along the way in terms of speed, portability and ride quality.
Now let’s see how the Evolv Tour XL-R held up through extensive testing.
For the many well-versed e-scooter riders, speed is the name of the game. With a similar motor & battery setup, it is set to yield comparable performance with the Immensely popular Apollo Explore and Zero 10. A high-voltage (52V) 1000W (1300W peak) rear-wheel hub motor gives the scooter a specified top speed of 31 MPH. This is at the very top performance-wise on what you’ll see from a single-motor scooter. However, nothing on ERideHero goes without testing, so we set out to benchmark the motor performance of the EVOLV Tour XL-R thoroughly.
According to the official manufacturer, the Evolv Tour XL-R should be able to reach a top speed of 31 MPH (50 KMH).
We benchmarked the top speed using a pro-grade performance data logger (VBox Sport) and we were able to clock a top speed of 31.3 MPH (50.4 KMH). This effectively makes the EVOLV Tour XL-R one of the fastest single motor scooters we've tested.
| Model | Top Speed (Our Tests) |
|---|---|
| EVOLV Tour XL-R | 31.3 MPH (50.4 KMH) |
| Apollo Explore | 31.2 MPH (50.2 KMH) |
| Zero 10 | 29.9 MPH (48.1 KMH) |
| Apollo Light | 23.6 MPH (38 KMH) |
The EVOLV Tour XL-R performs on par with the Explore any day of the week but there is a small but notable jump down to the Zero 10. As the motor and battery setup is technically the same on all models power-wise, I imagine the Tour XL-R beats the Zero 10 because it has higher quality cells in its battery. The XL-R battery cells are produced by LG whereas the Zero 10 uses cheaper generic cells.
There's a large jump down to one of the more portable single-motor e-scooters in the Apollo Light so you definitely get your money's worth of speed with the Tour XL-R.
Now where the difference got a little clearer was with the performance retention. All electric scooters will see some kind of drop in performance as the battery level decreases as the electric tension drops too. This is more pronounced on scooters with poor quality batteries whereas more efficient batteries will give better performance throughout the entire charge.
| Battery Level | Top Speed (Our Tests) |
|---|---|
| 100% | 31.3 MPH (50.4 KMH) |
| 80% | 30 MPH (48.3 KMH) |
| 60% | 28.9 MPH (46.5 KMH) |
| 40% | 26.3 MPH (42.3 KMH) |
| 20% | 24.5 MPH (39.4 KMH) |
I tested the decline in top speed at various battery levels and the results were overall very good. We have the high-quality LG cell battery to thank for that. The drop-off curve is similar to what can be expected from the Apollo Explore but it outperforms the Zero 10. At 20% battery left, the top speed had dropped by only 24% on the Tour XL-R whereas, on the Zero 10, I saw a 35% drop in top speed.
Again, this goes to show that not only battery capacity is important. Battery efficiency plays a very important role as well.
For a single-motor scooter, the Evolv Tour XL-R offers some of the fastest acceleration I’ve seen. I ran multiple acceleration tests and calculated the average time to reach certain speeds.
| Speed | Avg Time | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 MPH (24 KMH) | 4.34 s | 4.02 s |
| 0-20 MPH (32 KMH) | 6.85 s | 6.48 s |
| 0-25 MPH (40 KMH) | 10.17 s | 9.65 s |
| 0-31.3 MPH (50.4 KMH) | 20.90 s | 20.90 s |
Once again the above results are extremely similar to the Apollo Explore and about 5-10% better than the Zero 10. For a single-motor scooter, we're looking at grade A acceleration.
If we take a look at the full acceleration curve, we’ll see that it took me 20.9 seconds to reach the top speed of 31.3 MPH. I find that a lot of electric scooters take between 20-30 seconds to reach their top speed so the Tour XL-R is definitely in the low end of that which is great.
The EVOLV Tour XL-R has enough torque to pull ahead on fairly steep inclines. While it won't outpace a rapid dual-motor scooter like the Apollo Ghost, it's still sufficient for most urbanites who're faced with hilly terrain that requires a bit extra motor power.
I found that it could easily handle 15 to 20-degree inclines even when the battery was down to 20-30% of power and at full speed it is able to handle 25-degree inclines.
The Evolv Tour XL-R houses a 52-volt 18.2 amp-hours battery. The battery uses reliable LG cells and has an effective capacity of 946.4 watthours. According to Evolv Rides, it has a range of 25-31 miles (40-50 km) per charge.
| Model | Battery | $/Wh |
|---|---|---|
| Evolv Tour XL-R | 52V 18.2Ah LG Cells = 946.4 Wh | $1.48/Wh |
| Apollo Explore | 52V 18.2Ah Dynavolt Cells = 946.4 Wh | $1.37/Wh |
| Zero 10 | 52V 18.2Ah Generic Cells = 946.4 Wh | $1.48/Wh |
| INOKIM Quick 4 | 52V 16Ah LG Cells = 832 Wh | $1.83/Wh |
| Emove Cruiser | 52V 30Ah LG Cells = 1,560 Wh | $0.83/Wh |
Comparatively, 946 watthours is quite good at this price point - it is identical to what you get from the Zero 10 and Apollo Explore and more than you get with the more expensive INOKIM Quick 4. There is obviously a huge outlier in the Emove Cruiser that has an enormous battery but that comes with its own drawbacks.
As battery quality and efficiency can vary between models, I like to test the actual range in the real world.
I ran three range tests at three different speeds to see how the Evolv Tour XL-R performs.
| Test (#) | Range |
|---|---|
| #1 (Speed Priority) Avg Speed: 23.1 MPH (37.2 KMH) | 19.2 miles (31.8 km) |
| #2 (Regular) Avg Speed: 19.4 MPH (31.2 KMH) | 23.3 miles (37.5 km) |
| #3 (RangePriority) Avg Speed: 14.5 MPH (23.3 KMH) | 27.5 miles (44.3 km) |
In the first test, I ride aggressively, full throttle whenever possible, really pushing the speed. This yielded a range of 19.8 miles.
In the second test, I ride as I would normally do and this is what I consider the most accurate real-world representation of range. In this test, I got 23.3 miles.
In the last test, I ride slower to preserve battery and maximize range to really see what I can get out of it. This resulted in a 27.5-mile range.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the results. 23.3 miles of real-world range is excellent at this price point and if you really need the extra range, you can push it a little further by riding more conservatively.
| Model & Avg Speed | Range |
|---|---|
| EVOLV Tour XL-R Avg Speed: 19.4 MPH (31.2 KMH) | 23.3 miles (37.5 km) |
| Apollo Explore Avg Speed: 19.8 MPH (31.9 KMH) | 23 miles (37 km) |
| Zero 10 Avg Speed: 18.9 MPH (30.4 KMH) | 21.2 miles (34.1 km) |
Comparing the results from the second test where I try to recreate a casual real-world ride for testing the range (at around 19-20 MPH) there is not much separating the EVOLV and Apollo models. I'd say you can generally expect the same range from both models. However, they perform about 10% better than the Zero 10 - once again, very likely due to the higher quality battery cells.
Depending on how you’ll be using your electric scooter, portability can be a crucial deciding factor. With bigger batteries and beefier builds come a heavier end product so finding the right weight balance for your needs is important.
The EVOLV Tour XL-R is what I’d call an all-around performance e-scooter. It balances weight and power so it’s not annoyingly hard to carry nor slow or with underwhelming range.
The lightweight entry-level scooters around won’t produce the same amount of speed and range as the Tour XL-R and the monstrous dual-motor scooters around simply aren’t anywhere near as portable.
| Model | Weight |
|---|---|
| EVOLV Tour XL-R | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Apollo Explore | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| Zero 10 | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) |
| Kaabo Mantis 8 | 50 lbs (22.7 kg) |
| Emove Cruiser | 53 lbs (24 kg) |
| INOKIM Quick 4 | 47 lbs (21.3 kg) |
| VSETT 9R | 51 lbs (23.1 kg) |
The EVOLV Tour XL-R officially weighs 50.7 pounds (23 kg) but I measured it to weigh 49.8 pounds (22.6 kg) but as I have not weighed all the other models, we're giving them the benefit of the doubt and saying that the Tour XL-R does indeed weigh 50.7 pounds. That’s slightly lighter than the previously mentioned Explore and Zero 10 and slightly more than the Mantis 8. It’s definitely in the light end considering the power it is packing.
Weight is only part of the equation. Dimensions and foldability are important as well and the EVOLV Tour XL-R excels at that. The unfolded dimensions on the EVOLV Tour XL-R are 48" x 23.6" x 43.3" (122 cm x 60 cm x 110 cm) at minimum and 48" x 7.5" x 15" (122 cm x 19 cm x 38 cm) when folded.
The handlebars can be folded in and quickly be clicked back into place in a matter of seconds. This is the same mechanism we see on the Emove Cruiser and it allows you to get riding right away without having to tighten the handlebars on each ride like on the Explore and Zero 10.
I find the stem folding mechanism to be a bit better on the Tour XL-R as well. The latch is easier to grip around and you have three locking positions instead of two although I rarely use the middle one. The folded dimensions are a tiny bit longer on the Tour XL-R but it’s a little less wide and tall and thus it takes up about 10% less space than the other two. Overall for the performance you get, the Tour XL-R offers excellent portability.
The EVOLV Tour XL-R is fitted with 10-inch pneumatic tires, front spring suspension and rear dual spring suspension to alleviate road vibrations and give you a comfortable ride. Overall, I think this setup quite well - just like I expected. It’s very close to what you see on the Explore and Zero 10 so if you’ve tried any of those, I’d say you can expect about the same dampening level from the Tour XL-R.
I did feel that the suspension was maybe a little too tight, but part of that comes down to rider weight and preference. Still, there’s plenty of travel potential in the springs and it doesn’t bottom out at all for me, so it should be perfect for heavier riders as well.
The usable deck space on the Tour XL-R measures 21.7 by 6.1 inches. That notably longer than the Explore and Zero 10 but also a fair bit narrower. In comparison, they measure 20 by 9.3 inches. Even though the rounded deck edges are aesthetically pleasing, they decrease the usable deck width a fair bit. I would’ve preferred straight ones as it’d given about an inch and a half more width. In terms of deck space, the Tour XL-R does lose out to both the other scooters quite a bit. On the other hand, the max distance from the deck to the handlebar is 41.3 inches on the XL-R while it is 38.4 inches on the other two, making it slightly more ideal for taller riders.
The EVOLV Tour XL-R does so many things right in terms of ride quality but the narrow deck is a bit of an annoyance. At 5’11” (180cm) and with size 9 (EU 42.5) shoes it’s not a problem for me personally but it may be an issue for bigger guys.
Build quality is an area in which the Tour XL-R does particularly well. Sturdy components, solid waterproofing, and proper installation make for a reliable ride you can be confident in at high speeds. The majority of the screws across the scooter use Loctite which is a small detail I appreciate as it means less maintenance with tightening screws that occasionally come loose.
The external cables leading up to handlebars are wrapped in a hard plastic coil as opposed to an inferior cloth like we see on the Zero 10. As made apparent by the performance tests, the LG cell battery yields excellent performance and easily beats the non-name-brand cells on the Zero 10.
A broken fender is one of the most common issues e-scooter riders face so it’s nice to see the Tour XL-R is fitted with a very thick and sturdy rear fender. I’m particularly fond of the grips on the handlebar. They have a comfortable shape and partly textured surface to keep your hands in place, should the ride get bumpy. The brake levers are rugged on the outside as well to further improve your grip.
The folding mechanism performs very well. It’s a well-tested mechanism with minimal stem flex seen on a variety of different scooters including the Apollo Light.
The foldable handlebar design works really well as you can get riding in only a few seconds, but as they cannot be tightened there will be a little bit of wiggle room. It’s not a safety issue and not something that I noticed when riding, but it’s worth knowing. However, even the similar ones that can be tightened on The Explore and Zero 10 tend to loosen a tiny bit as you ride so it can be pretty much the same.
The dual disc brake performance is solid. They were tuned nicely out of the box to give the best performance out of the box and screeching was minimal. Hydraulic ones will always be superior to mechanical ones but they come at a premium price. Overall, braking performance is gonna be very similar to the Explore and Zero 10.
The Tour XL-R can pride itself on being well-lit at night. At the rear, you have a total of three lights. One on the fender and one on each side of the deck. In the front, there are two deck-mounted lights along with a bigger headlight on the stem that can be angled to your liking. There’s also a very unique and cool-looking acrylic tube with red light flowing through it at each side of the deck that I really like. Visibility from the sides is just as important in traffic at night as front and rear so the Tour XL-R definitely doesn’t disappoint here. Overall, the lighting setup beats both the Explore and Zero 10.
The Tour XL-R also has a loud electronic horn that is much more safe and efficient than a classic bell.
Lastly, the Tour XL-R has an IP54 certification. The IP rating specifies how resistant the scooter is to foreign objects and moisture. This means all crucial components protected from dust and water splashes from any direction so you can ride comfortably in light to medium rain and on dusty trails.
Overall, the EVOLV Tour XL-R is an awesome electric scooter. It is an ideal purchase for people who are looking for an all-around performance e-scooter with a solid range and power at a relatively low weight. The build quality is sturdy and it is evident that EVOLV Rides care about bringing a solid product to the end-user out of the box.
The suspension and braking performance is on par with that of the Explore and Zero 10, but it beats out the Zero 10 in several of my performance tests likely thanks to the LG Cell Battery. At the same price, I find the XL-R to be a much more viable choice than the Zero 10 as all of the small wins eventually add up.
It goes head to head with the Apollo Explore throughout the performance tests and while the Explore is around $100 cheaper, the Tour XL-R wins in a few departments. In particular, it’s a little lighter, takes up 10% less space and has a taller adjustable stem, making it more ideal for taller riders. The lighting setup is also better on the Tour XL-R. On the flip side, it loses out to the Explore on price vs. range and on deck width. The narrow deck on the EVOLV is a slight bummer in my opinion as some bigger riders may find it uncomfortable so it kind of works against the taller stem.
Another point I wanted to mention here at the end is that the EVOLV Tour XL-R is widely available - practically all over the globe. Urban Machina is the go-to retailer for US and Canadian customers while Blue Wolf Group has a distribution network that reaches the EU and Oceania. This is something several other brands lack. If you’re able to find, say, an Apollo distributor outside the US and Canada, there’s likely an off-putting price markup that instantly makes the Tour XL-R the better value choice - the price is the same both on Urban Machina and Blue Wolf Group.
* These specifications are based on our thorough and accurate data measurements.
The below specifications are based on our tests and measurements and may differ from data shared by retailers/manufacturer.
| Top Speed | 31.3 MPH (50.4 KMH) |
| Motor | 52V 1000W (1300W peak) |
| Acceleration | 0-15 MPH = 4.34 s 0-20 MPH = 6.85 s 0-25 MPH = 10.17 s |
| Max Hill Climb Angle | 25 degrees |
| Battery | 52V 18.2 Ah LG Cells Li-Ion |
| Battery Capacity | 946.4 Wh |
| Range | Speed Priority: 19.8 miles (31.9 km) Regular: 23.3 miles (37.5 km) Range Priority: 27.5 miles (44.3 km) |
| Weight | 49.8 lbs (22.6 kg) |
| Usable Deck Size | 21.7" x 6.1" (55 cm x 13 cm) |
| Ground Clearance | 5.1" (13 cm) |
| Deck To Handlebar | Min: 29.7" (75.5 cm) Max: 41.3" (105 cm) |
| Charging Time | 6-9 hours |
| Tires | 10-inch pneumatic (50-55 PSI) |
| Max Load Weight | 265 lbs (120 kg) |
| Brakes | Front and rear mechanical disc brakes |
| Suspension | Front spring Rear dual springs |
| Water Resistance | IP54-certification |
| Folded Dimensions | 48" x 7.5" x 15" (122 cm x 19 cm x 38 cm) |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 48" x 23.6" x 43.3" (122 cm x 60 cm x 110 cm) |
