The Thrustmaster T248R is the updated version of the brand’s T248 Hybrid Drive wheel, officially licensed for PlayStation and sold as a complete wheel and pedal set rather than a base you build around. It delivers 3.1 Nm of torque and adds a color LCD screen for live telemetry, a combination aimed at a PS5 or PS4 racer who wants one box that covers the wheel, the pedals, and a dashboard readout. Understanding what Hybrid Drive actually does explains most of what follows.

This review looks at how the T248R produces its force feedback, what the bundle includes, and who is better served by a different wheel. We compared manufacturer specifications with recurring owner feedback, and you can read how we review.

What it is and where it sits

The T248R is officially licensed for PlayStation and built for PS5, PS4, and PC, the same platforms as the standard T248 that WSR has reviewed separately; what sets it apart is a color LCD and a perforated leather rim. At 3.1 Nm, it sits in the belt and gear driven tier rather than direct drive, closer in output to Logitech’s dual motor wheels than to a servo direct drive base. What Thrustmaster leans on to stand out at this level is the bundle itself: a wheel, a pedal set, and an integrated LCD screen arrive together, where many direct drive competitors sell the base alone.

Force feedback and build character

Thrustmaster’s Hybrid Drive combines a belt and gear stage rather than choosing one or the other, a design meant to balance the smoothness a belt gives against the firmness a gear system holds under load. At 3.1 Nm, the T248R is built to transmit curb strikes, braking zones, and road texture into the rim, and reviewers who race Hybrid Drive wheels describe that texture as clear at this torque level without the notchiness that a pure gear system can introduce. The 11 inch wheel wraps a perforated leather grip around imitation carbon accents, and the 25 onboard buttons plus magnetic paddle shifters put common functions within reach of the rim during a race rather than a keyboard or a separate button box. The standout feature is the integrated color LCD, which Thrustmaster says supports more than 20 display modes alongside four status LEDs, letting a driver check lap times or force feedback intensity without pausing.

What’s in the box

This listing bundles the wheel with a matching pedal set, so there is no separate pedal purchase to plan for the way a base only direct drive system would require. The wheel mounts to desks and tables up to 1.8 inches thick or to a racing cockpit, and Thrustmaster lists the wheel at 12.6 pounds, light enough to move between a desk setup and a dedicated rig without much fuss. Officially licensed status means PlayStation compatibility is guaranteed rather than assumed, which matters more than it sounds like it should in this category.

Pros and cons

What works:

  • Hybrid Drive delivers 3.1 Nm of torque with a wheel and pedal set included
  • Integrated color LCD with over 20 display modes, unusual at this tier
  • Magnetic paddle shifters that resist wear over repeated use
  • Officially licensed for PlayStation, with PS5, PS4, and PC compatibility confirmed

What to weigh:

  • 3.1 Nm is a modest ceiling next to direct drive bases built for heavier cars
  • The included pedal set is fixed to this bundle, with no separate pedal upgrade path built in
  • Belt and gear driven feedback still carries a faint mechanical texture that direct drive removes

Who it is for

The T248R fits a PS5 or PS4 racer who wants a complete wheel and pedal bundle in one purchase, along with the added convenience of an onboard telemetry screen. It also suits a driver upgrading from a controller who wants officially licensed peace of mind rather than researching third party compatibility. If you already own the standard T248, our Thrustmaster T248 review lays out how the two compare.

Who should skip it

Skip the T248R if you want the smoothness and torque of direct drive, since 3.1 Nm sits well below that class; our best direct drive wheels guide covers the alternatives. Skip it too if you already own a T248 and do not specifically need the color LCD screen or leather rim, since the core force feedback experience is similar. For the wider field at this budget, see the best racing wheels under $300.