Cube Controls Astra Review: Light in Weight & Perfect in Balance

0

The Cube Controls Astra is a steering wheel I started with mixed feelings. Not because I doubted the build quality - quite the contrary. My previous experiences with Cube Controls, including the GT-X2, F-Core and F-Core EVO, were without exception positive. The doubts were mainly in the concept and design. The Astra is clearly inspired by a formulaic design language and let that just not be my personal preference.

My first encounter took place at the Sim Gaming Expo in Chicago, where I held the Astra in my hands for the first time. And although I don't necessarily like it in terms of design, I was surprisingly positive after my first encounter. Why that is, you can read in this review where I share my opinion and experience about the Cube Controls Astra.

Transparency and context - how and why I tested this wheel

Cube Controls sent me the Astra with one clear instruction: use it intensively and form your own honest judgment. And that's what I did. For over two months, on different sims, different wheelbases and even in VR. In this review, I share my full experience - including the points where I think Cube Controls made the wrong design choice.

Cube Controls has in no way influenced my opinions, conclusions or the content of this review. Everything you read here is based on my own experience.

Unboxing - first impressions even before driving

Before I have even driven a single lap, the experience begins as I unpack. The Cube Controls Astra comes in a sturdy, sleekly designed box that clearly focuses on protection and functionality. It is the typical blue and white box you see on the F-Core (EVO), GT-X2 and other steering wheels from Cube Controls. No garish visuals or empty claims, just solid and sturdy packaging.

What's in the box?

Upon opening the box you will find:

• The Cube Controls Astra steering wheel (in my case, the Astra Premium)
• Pre-assembled hub (Premium version only)
• Q-CONN magnetic connection cable
• Montage and fixing material
• Concise documentation

Everything is neatly and securely packed. The handlebar is well protected from shipping damage and immediately feels solid and high-quality when first picked up.

First physical impression

What struck me immediately upon unpacking was the weight. Or rather, how light the wheel feels as soon as you hold it in your hands for the first time. That's one of those moments when you think even before mounting it: this is going to be enjoyable on a direct drive wheelbase! Weighing just over 1 kilogram, the Astra is one of the lighter steering wheels. With the fitting of a quick release, the total becomes heavier, of course.

The finish makes it immediately clear that this is not a plastic toy. The build quality is surprisingly good and solid. Aluminium, carbon and silicone grips feel the way you hope they feel in this segment: solid, sleek and without rattles or play. The buttons, encoders and shifters also give a good impression at first touch. The shifters in particular have finally changed and improved compared to other Cube Controls steering wheels.

The unboxing itself may not be a spectacle, but that actually suits the Astra perfectly. Everything you need is in the box, nothing more and nothing less. In any case, one thing is for sure: the Cube Controls Astra gives an instant smile!

Cube Controls Astra: Available in two variants

Cube Controls deliberately positions the Astra in two variants: the standard Astra and the Astra Premium. This distinction is important because it directly affects price, finish and experience.

Cube Controls Astra

The standard Astra targets sim racers who want maximum performance without unnecessary frills. Functionally, this is already a fully high-end steering wheel, but with a more no-nonsense approach.

Cube Controls Astra Premium

The Cube Controls Astra Premium is clearly aimed at the sim racer looking for that extra bit of refinement. With this version, you get fully CNC-machined funky switches, encoders ánd the hub is included. You can choose between a blue or a black finish.

What does the Cube Controls Astra cost?

The Cube Controls Astra is deliberately marketed sharply, especially considering the high-end segment in which this wheel operates. There are two variants, with clear differences in finish, but the same technical foundation.

Overview prices

• Astra - Base: €399
• Astra - Premium Black: €499
• Astra - Premium Blue: €499

The pricing structure is clear. The Base version targets sim racers who want to experience the core of the Astra at the most attractive entry-level price. For €399, you get the exact same base: the same chassis, the same shifters, the same electronics and the same driving experience. The difference is purely in the finish of buttons and the lack of a pre-mounted hub.

The Premium versions - both Black and Blue - cost €499 and add CNC-milled aluminium buttons and encoders, plus a pre-installed hub. In practice, this mainly translates to a slightly richer tactile experience and more ease of use in montage. Functionally, it's not necessarily going to make you faster while riding, but the whole thing feels just a bit more refined.

What makes this pricing strong is that Cube Controls does not hold back any features here for the more expensive variant. You don't pay extra for better shifters, better electronics or more performance. The riding experience remains identical. That makes the choice mostly personal: if you want maximum value for money, the Base version is particularly attractive. If you want just that little bit of extra finish and convenience, then the Premium is logically priced.

Within the segment of high-end sim racing steering wheels, this is a remarkably fair and transparent positioning.

Design and styling

The design of the Cube Controls Astra is one you won't stay neutral about. You love it or you hate it. It feels like a distinct choice, not without controversy. In terms of design, I personally certainly don't think the Astra is the prettiest steering wheel. But then again, in the end it is also about performance. And with the Astra, that can be called very good.

The open underside, straight lines and rather large 295 mm size make this a handlebar that has a visual presence. Personally, I prefer slightly more compact handlebars around 280 mm, especially for GT and prototype racing.

What bothers me most is the middle section. Here you see two encoders with a blank area between them and an illuminated Cube Controls logo. That space feels unused. For functions like traction control, ABS or engine mapping, a third encoder would have fit perfectly here.

“Not everything about this design is my taste, but behind the wheel the story makes sense.”

The illuminated logo itself is a definite miss for me. It adds nothing functionally and actually takes me out of the illusion of a realistic cockpit. Flashy RGB does not suit a wheel that wants to exude motorsport DNA, as far as I am concerned. Fortunately, it can be switched off, but the space could have been used much better.

Construction quality

Cube Controls rarely disappoints when it comes to build quality and the Cube Controls Astra is no different. The Astra is built from a cast aluminium body with a 4 mm motorsport-grade carbon fibre front plate. This is not decorative carbon, but functional material that contributes to stiffness and feedback.

Under heavy forces, there is no trace of flex or unwanted movement. Even with aggressive steering inputs, quick corrections or catching oversteer, the overall feel remains solid and predictable. This gives confidence, especially when you are driving at the limit and small corrections make the difference between keeping control or losing time.

What I particularly appreciate here is that the build quality is not only noticeable during extreme moments, but precisely also in everyday use. The steering wheel feels consistently firm, doesn't creak or rattle and remains the same even after longer sessions. That kind of consistency is exactly what you expect in this segment - and what the Astra actually delivers.

Weight and balance

At around 1150 grams (hub included), the Astra is remarkably light within its class. You notice this not only when steering, but especially when making quick corrections and absorbing oversteer. The light weight makes you feel every bump, kerbstone and force feedback vibration perfectly. It's a real pleasure to use this light steering wheel to get everything out of your direct drive wheelbase. The Astra feels surprisingly natural and balanced.

In my situation, I tested this steering wheel with both the Simucube 2 Sport as Pro and its performance is outstanding. As a result, the wheel invites you to steer more lightly and work more quietly with your hands. On mid- to high-end wheelbases like Simucube 2 Pro and Sport, this translates to more detail in force feedback, without getting tiresome. Small signals - like the moment the front tyres just lose grip - come through more clearly.

“Every little correction I feel immediately back in my hands, as if the steering wheel and the car become one.”

Moreover, during longer stints, I noticed that this low weight makes a real difference physically. No top-heavy feeling, no restlessness after an hour of driving and no tired arms or wrists. The steering wheel remains consistent in feel, even when concentration decreases and mistakes are more likely to occur. That makes this one of the Astra's stronger features.

Grips and ergonomics - excellent material, but not flawless

The silicone grips are undoubtedly one of the Astra's strongest points. They offer plenty of grip, feel firm and controlled and work both with and without sim racing gloves excellent. During longer sessions - especially when combined with powerful direct drive wheelbases - they remain comfortable and predictable, without feeling ‘sticky’ or tiring. I personally like the Astra's grips much better than on the F-Core or GTX2.

What immediately stands out are the grooves in the grips. The profile is very reminiscent of an intermediate tyre: visually recognisable, technically race-oriented and clearly a conscious design choice. Functionally, these grooves honestly add little extra grip; the basic grip of the silicone material is already more than enough. But aesthetically, I think this is a very strong addition. It gives the Astra its own identity and immediately distinguishes this steering wheel from other high-end steering wheels.

This very detail shows that Cube Controls has guts in their design choices. They dare to do something different, even if it is not necessarily functionally necessary. Personally, I can greatly appreciate that. In a market where many handlebars are starting to look alike, this feels like a conscious move to add character.

One detail that could be better

However, there is one detail that kept striking me while riding. At the back of the grips, you can feel the mounting bolts that mount the grips to the aluminium housing. My middle finger rests exactly on them when I hold the handlebars firmly, for example in fast turns or during corrections. With gloves, this is hardly noticeable, but without gloves you feel it clearly and it can feel just a little less pleasant.

It's not a dealbreaker and it doesn't detract from the overall quality of the wheel, but it is one of those details that I hope Cube Controls manages to get rid of just a bit more cleverly in a future iteration. Precisely because the rest of the ergonomics are so strong, this small point is especially noticeable.

Buttons, encoders and switches

While driving, you quickly notice that Cube Controls has paid a lot of attention to the placement and accessibility of the inputs. The Astra immediately feels familiar. Buttons, encoders and switches are right where you expect them to be, allowing you to operate them intuitively without taking your focus off the track. This is especially true in VR, where blind control is not a luxury, but a requirement.

Feedback from buttons

The push buttons have a clear, consistent click that gives confidence when used, even during hectic moments in races. The toggle switches are typical Cube Controls: robust, mechanical and with clear feedback. I love it! It is details like these that contribute to an authentic racing feel and make me always appreciate these switches on their steering wheels.

Encoders and joysticks

The thumb encoders and rotary encoders are easily accessible and lend themselves perfectly to in-game functions such as brake bias, traction control or ABS adjustments. The multi-directional joysticks also add a lot of flexibility in practice, for example when navigating menus or adjusting settings while driving.

Missed opportunity in the middle section

Still, one feeling remains nagging. The middle section of the steering wheel could have been put to greater functional use. The space for an extra encoder is clearly there, but not used. Especially since I often use it for things like engine mapping or fine-tuning traction control or ABS, it feels like a missed opportunity. It is not a breaking point, but it is a design choice that, like the illuminated logo, shows that Cube Controls deliberately chose form over maximum functionality here.

Shifters and clutches

This is without doubt the biggest improvement point of the Astra. Cube Controls clearly listened to feedback from the community with the Astra. The older shifters were known for their harsh, hollow metal-on-metal sound - something I personally have never been a fan of. That sound literally took me out of the experience, especially during longer races or onboard shots.

With the new ELOI shifters, Cube Controls takes a completely different direction. The shifters are quieter, tighter and finally feel really premium. The click is clear, controlled and more cushioned. This makes the perception and experience so much better!

“This is the first Cube Controls handlebar where shifting doesn't take me out of the experience, but rather pulls me into it. The updated ELOI shifters are sublime!”

In addition, what I find strong is that shifters and clutches are now integrated into one aluminium module. This adds to the stiffness and ensures a uniform feel at the back of the handlebars. The clutches are adjustable and work extremely well in practice, especially on starts where dosage and repeatability make all the difference.

There are small ergonomic nuances, such as the recess my finger falls into when I ride without gloves. This is not a major problem, but it is something you notice during longer sessions. At the same time, this detail does not outweigh the huge step forward that Cube Controls has taken here. The overall picture is strong, thoughtful and shows that this brand is willing to fundamentally improve - and I appreciate that enormously.

Q-CONN connection - practical, but not perfect

The magnetic Q-CONN connector makes changing handlebars quick and easy. In everyday use, this is a fine solution: connecting is effortless, the magnets automatically guide the connector to the right position and the connection feels solid once everything is attached.

However, there is also a downside. In violent crashes, fast steering movements or unexpected moments when you have to correct the wheel abruptly, the cable can come loose. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you immediately take yourself out of the flow of the race. You temporarily lose input and have to reconnect, which is simply frustrating, especially during competitive sessions or endurance stints. Especially in Automobilista 2, this often causes problems as you have to restart the game more often. So while the Q-CONN connection is hugely practical, it still has its limitation. No matter how small it is.

The Astra and VR: a strong combination

In VR, the Astra fully comes into its own. Combined with my Pimax Crystal Super I genuinely find this one of the most pleasant steering wheels I have used so far in a VR setup. You then notice how well balanced the Astra is.

In fact, the steering wheel never feels heavy or cumbersome. This ensures you make calm and smooth steering movements. Combined with the low weight and force feedback, it creates a very natural feel, where steering wheel, force feedback and visuals blend seamlessly.

All inputs are intuitively placed and easy to find without looking, which is essential in VR. You don't have to search or think; everything is where you expect it to be. During longer VR sessions, I also notice that fatigue is clearly less of a factor than with heavier or less well-balanced steers. This makes the Astra pleasant not only for short races, but also precisely for longer stints where focus and comfort make all the difference. All in all, then, a very pleasant experience during my VR races in Automobilista 2, RaceRoom and Assetto Corsa EVO.

CubeSet software

The Astra uses Cube Controls's own CubeSet software. This is lightweight, uncluttered and does exactly what you expect. All buttons, encoders and switches are fully mappable, and you can set the pulse width of the encoders, among other things. This is especially useful if you find that inputs sometimes double register when moving fast, or, on the contrary, skip steps when you want to fine-tune. In that respect, CubeSet is technically just fine.

The RGB lighting is also configurable via CubeSet, but I have to be honest: I hardly ever use it for that. The real added value comes only once you link the Astra to SimHub. Full SimHub compatibility allows lighting to be linked directly to telemetry from the sim. RPM, flags or personal triggers: everything can be tuned exactly to what you need.

Compared to brands that rely heavily on elaborate proprietary ecosystems, Cube Controls's approach is deliberately simple. You don't get complex profile structures or modifier layers, but between the basic configuration in CubeSet and the freedom of SimHub, I honestly don't miss anything. In practice, CubeSet feels fine for initial setup, but SimHub is without a doubt for me the way to go.

What are the pros and cons of the Cube Controls Astra?

For me, the Cube Controls Astra is a technically rock-solid steering wheel with fantastic ride feel, perfect balance and excellent shifters. At the same time, a few design choices - including the unused centre section and the illuminated logo - don't match my personal preference as well. If that style suits you, then you get a light, precise and performance-oriented steering wheel that does what it's all about: giving confidence while riding.

Conclusion

Na maanden intensief gebruik kan ik zeggen dat de Cube Controls Astra een stuurwiel is dat inhoudelijk klopt. De bouwkwaliteit is uitstekend, het lage gewicht vertaalt zich direct naar meer detail en rust in de force feedback en de vernieuwde ELOI shifters behoren tot de beste in deze prijsklasse. Deze zijn écht subliem! Vooral in VR, in combinatie met mijn Pimax Crystal Super, voelt de Astra perfect in balans en uiterst natuurlijk aan.

At the same time, this wheel is neither flawless nor my personal favourite in terms of design. The formula-style design, the unused centre section and the illuminated logo feel like missed opportunities to me. That said, the Astra does exactly what it should do: focus on driving feel, precision and performance, without unnecessary gimmicks.

“With a final score of 8.1, the Astra shows that you don't need an excess of features to put down a convincing and enjoyable steering wheel.”

If you are looking for a light, stiff and technically strong steering wheel that is all about ride and confidence, then the Cube Controls Astra is a very compelling choice. It is not an all-rounder, but within its philosophy, Cube Controls delivers a particularly solid and mature product here.

Cube Controls Astra Review

Have you read this review all the way through and are curious to see how the Cube Controls Astra behaves in practice? Then also check out my video review about the Astra.

Did this Cube Controls review help you make the right choice?

If you decide to make your purchase, consider doing so via the links on this page. It costs you nothing extra, but by doing so you directly support my work and SimRacingHub. This allows me to continue testing independently, writing critically and making these kinds of in-depth reviews. Thanks for your trust and support - that's what makes this platform possible.