Apollo Go Vs. Unagi Model One Voyager

The Apollo Go scooter competes with Unagi's Model One Voyager in a battle for the best affordable dual-motor scooter.

Canadian Manufacturer Apollo did it again with the Apollo Go. While they already had the entire market covered, Apollo found room between the entry-level, single-motor Apollo Air and the mid-range Apollo City to fit in a new, affordable, dual-motor scooter, the Apollo Go.

The Apollo Go competes with Unagi's dual-motor workhorse, the Model One Voyager. The Model One Voyager has become people's go-to commuter thanks to its considerable design choices and the pricing edge that constantly puts it ahead of the competition.

Let's see how the two electric scooters compare:

Apollo Go Vs. Unagi Model One Voyager Comparison Table

Here's a brief overview of the scooters' specifications:

Cost

The 2024 Apollo Go is priced between the brand's entry-level Air, which is currently listed at $999, and the mid-level Apollo City commuter, which is listed at $1799. The Apollo Go costs $1299 and is Apollo's least expensive dual motor scooter. The design follows the basic blueprint set out by the flagship Apollo Pro, so you're generally getting a very good scooter.

On the other hand, the Unagi Model One Voyager is the only good-quality scooter you can take home for less than $100. That's right. Through Unagi's innovative All-Access Membership plan, you can pay as little as $79/ month, and you will get to own the scooter for the duration of your subscription.

However, there's more to the monthly subscription than just owning the scooter. Perks of membership include a monthly meetup with other riders to explore your city, the option to have a secondary scooter delivered to your hotel or residence, theft, and damage insurance, and the option to upgrade your scooter at any time.

Additionally, you can get the cheaper $59 Unagi Model One Classic for an even bigger bargain. And if scooters aren't your thing, you're free to cancel at any time, with the confidence that you gave it a better shot than you would with rental scooters and without the remorse of splurging on an expensive scooter that ends up not aligning with your expectations.

Performance

The Unagi hardly ever has dual motor competition in its class. Therefore, it's a welcome challenge to see how the dual 350 W motor Go performs against Voyager's dual 500 W motor configuration. The Apollo Go has a higher max rider weight capacity of 265 lbs against the Voyagers' 220 lbs, meaning heavier riders should pick the former to retain good performance.

Speed and Acceleration

The Apollo Go has a claimed top speed of 28 mph, but independent testing puts it at a more realistic 25 mph. The acceleration is quite brisk, reaching 15 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Alternatively, the Model One Voyager matches its manufacturer's claimed max speed spec of 20 mph, with a 4.4 seconds acceleration to the 15 mph mark. They are both excellent for commuting and the occasional weekend joy ride.

The laws guiding electric scooter use in the US cap the max speed at 15-20 mph in most states. Therefore, consider the legality of your scooter's top speed before taking the plunge.

Range and Battery

The Apollo Go has a large 540 Wh battery that powers the scooter through a tested range of 19 miles, though Apollo says in ideal conditions, the scooter can reach 44 miles. The battery recharges in 7.5 hours, but you can get a fast charger to charge it in about half of that time.

The Voyager commuter scooter has a 360 Wh battery that delivers a range of 12-25 miles on a single charge. If you need to recharge, the fast charging system allows you to juice up to 50% in one hour and full capacity in 3 hours.

Notably, both scooters are equipped with premium energy-dense cells that are great for battery life. Additionally, they both feature custom smart battery management systems that protect the battery against all sorts of electrical malfunction, also guaranteeing longer battery life.

Hill Climbing

Dual-motor electric scooters are great for hill climbing. If you live in places like San Francisco or San Diego, either one of these scooters will do. On a 200 ft, 10% gradient, independent testers found the Unagi Model One Voyager to reach the top in 14 seconds against the Apollo Go's 12 seconds–both decent times compared to single motor counterparts.

Braking

The Model One Voyager electric scooter relies on dual electronic braking for stopping. From a speed of 15 mph, the scooter comes to a halt in about 17 feet. The Voyager also has a fender brake as another one of its safety features for slowing down.

Alternatively, the Apollo Go is equipped with Apollo's legendary dedicated regen braking, which is what most daily commuters use. The advantage of regenerative braking is that each time you apply brakes, you simultaneously recharge your battery. For harder stopping, however, the scooter is equipped with a rear drum brake, and from a speed of 15 mph, the Apollo Go stops in 15 ft.

Build Quality

Apollo's new design trickles from the flagship Pro down to the entry-level Air, with some variations, of course. That said, the 2024 lineup of scooters is the right amount of chic, comparable to Unagi's award-winning Voyager.

Materials and Durability

The Unagi Model One Voyager is the epitome of material science and aesthetic design. The scooter comprises premium, lightweight, heavy-duty materials like carbon fiber on the stem, magnesium alloy on the handlebars, and a single-piece machined aluminum chassis. These materials make for a lightweight yet durable electric scooter.

The Apollo Go electric scooter, on the other hand, has a single-cast aerospace-grade aluminum frame with delicate finishing. Apollo claims that the new frame design on their scooters is the best in the market and backs that claim with an unusual 10K Km warranty (about 6000 miles).

Aesthetics

The Unagi Voyager scooter has a clean design with smooth curves and no visible wiring. It can be ordered in a cool mist, matte black, cobalt blue, or latte finish.​​ The Apollo Go, alternatively, only comes in space gray with black accents.

In addition, the lights on the Apollo Go largely aid in aesthetics besides being functionally appreciated. The high-mounted handlebar turn signals, the stem light, the headlight, and the wrap-around deck tail rear/ brake/ turn signal light add an element of sophistication and guarantee that night riding is safe and possible.

The Unagi also features basic lighting: a headlight, a tail light that doubles as a brake light, and a couple of reflectors.

Ride Quality

Apollo scooters are known for their great ride quality, ensuring a comfortable ride at all price points.

Tires

The Apollo Go has a set of 9-inch, self-healing tubeless tires that deliver an incredibly smooth ride and, thanks to Puncture Guard technology, immediately seal up in the event of a puncture. The tires provide an enhanced contact patch with the ground, leading to good traction and handling even in slick weather.

The Voyager takes a different approach and opts for 7.5-inch solid tires with a honeycomb design. The tires' solid nature guarantees a flat-free riding experience, while the perforations provide some level of cushioning. The smaller size helps reduce the overall weight and dimensions of the scooter.

Suspension

Apollo unveiled a new suspension setup for the Apollo Go commuter scooter, which they're calling 'Airflow'. The initial design was subjected to beta testing with on-the-ground riders, and thanks to their feedback, Apollo probably has its best-feeling suspension yet.

The front has a single spring with enough travel and a bushing to prevent sudden rebound. The rear comprises dual spring suspensions that facilitate longer travel and a polyurethane rubber block that provides shock absorption. The complete setup culminates in one of the most enjoyable ride experiences, whether going through bumps or poorly maintained roads in city streets.

The Unagi chooses to forego the extra weight that comes with suspension setups.

Deck Space

The decks on the two electric scooters are pretty close in size. The Apollo Go has a marginally larger deck measuring 20 inches x 5.3 inches, while the Voyager has a deck measuring 19.2 inches x 5.04 inches.

The Apollo Go has a huge clearance of 6.3 inches. However, the rear footplate is too steep for practical use, especially when braking hard. Regardless, you get a good grip on either scooter due to the quality rubber mats lining both decks.

Ride Ergonomics

The handlebars on the Apollo Go are narrower than those on the Apollo Pro and City scooters but feel ideal when riding at speed. They are 39.5 inches tall, which is okay for the average adult. The Voyager, however, has a shorter handlebar height of 37.2 inches and might limit comfort for extremely tall riders.

Portability

The Unagi Model One Voyager is the best lightweight electric scooter. The scooter weighs just 29.6 lbs and is equipped with a quick folding mechanism that collapses it into a package measuring 37.8 inches x 16.5 inches x 15 inches. Most teenagers can comfortably carry the scooter over a distance.

The Apollo Go, on the other hand, is less portable and has a net weight of 49 lbs. It also has large folded dimensions of 46.5 inches x 20.5 inches x 22.8 inches. This is still small enough to fit most car trunks but is less compact than Unagi scooters.

One thing Apollo did right was copy the same folding mechanism they have on the premium models to the Go, giving it a solid folding latch that holds the stem securely upright when riding. The deck latch, however, could use a bit of work.

Water-Resistance

The Apollo Go joins the rankings of the Apollo City Pro, the Apollo Air, and the Apollo Pro in the highest-ranked IP rating. They all feature an IP66 rating, which means they can withstand a strong, directional jet of water like that from a hose, riding in the rain or splashing through somewhat deep puddles. They are largely protected from dust, and thanks to the excellent fender protection, you don't get road spray either.

The Voyager is only IPX4 rated, which allows you just enough time to seek shelter in the event of sudden showers. Dry the scooter as soon as you can to prevent electrical malfunctions.

App and Controls

The Apollo Go has an ultra-bright DOT display with anti-glare technology that efficiently displays your riding mode, speed, and battery status and has an animated turn signal indicator. You get two buttons on either side of the handlebar: the mode (also used to turn on the lights) and right turn signal on the right and the on/off and left turn signal on the left side.

However, the electric scooter is designed to use a phone as the primary display, hence the Quad lock phone mount that Apollo sells separately. Once you mount your phone, you can set up the Apollo app and access all your riding metrics, including a range remaining counter and customization options like zero start on/off, cruise control on/off, how long it takes cruise control to kick in, regen and acceleration intensity settings, and upper-speed limits.

The Voyager also has a simple integrated display that shows basic stats. Operations are controlled via a single button. However, the companion app, like Apollo's, is where you get a mountain of customization. You can access the remaining range calculator, top speed settings, single and dual motor modes, remote lock and unlock, and additionally manage your scooter subscription.

Verdict

Ultimately, both electric scooters deliver tons of value to riders, and it's a close call given their similar range of offerings.

The Apollo Go and Unagi Voyager are both excellent performers, with dual motors playing a huge role in acceleration and hill climbing. Both scooters are durably and aesthetically designed and feature excellent app support. Additionally, long battery life is safeguarded by the use of premium, energy-dense cells, and superior battery management systems on both scooters.

However, the unique offerings of each model might help you inch closer to your preferred scooter. For instance, the Apollo Go has an excellent IP rating for people who live in rain-prone areas. The scooter comes with 9-inch air tires and full suspension and also has a superb light setup, making night riding a breeze. It is the perfect balance of rich features and good performance.

The Voyager, on the other hand, is the ultimate commuter. You get a scooter that you can carry over long distances, courtesy of the 29.6 lbs weight, and it's easy to store thanks to the small folded dimensions. Additionally, the subscription offer makes it an easy purchase that doesn't require much planning, and since you can cancel at any time, you get to decide if scooters are really your thing.

The membership perks, however, are a value that cannot be substituted and are the reason we give the Voyager an edge over the Apollo Go. But, if you need to browse through more options, we have a curated list of the best electric scooters for 2024 and the best electric scooters for adults in 2024.