Pride Pursuit XL Review

This Pride Pursuit XL review was written by Dr. Sam McLin, a board certified orthopedic doctor specializing in mobility issues. 

It can be tricky to know where to start when buying a mobility scooter, particularly if it’s your first one. After all, this is a specialist piece of kit. It needs to fulfill some very specific requirements. If it fails, the user could be at risk of physical harm. Therefore, it’s essential to match the product to the needs of the owner.

Fortunately, the Pride Pursuit XL is a mobility scooter which delivers on every level. It is a full size, heavy duty device, with an expanded carrying capacity and tough outdoor wheels. This scooter can safely transport over 400lbs of weight, which is pretty remarkable when you consider the fact that it tops out at a nippy eight miles per hour.

This Pride Pursuit XL review will take a closer look at its key features and explain why it might just be the perfect scooter for you.

Breathing New Life into an Old Name

If you’re familiar with the big mobility brands, you might recognize the ‘Pride Pursuit.’ The XL is actually based on an older design with the same name. It has now been reinvigorated, reconfigured, and revitalized for the current market. While it has a similar motor and drivetrain, the XL has been souped up so that it can zip around at close to nine miles per hour.

Officially, the top speed is eight mph, but tests show that it has the ability to exceed this in good conditions, with a full battery. The driving range has been increased to between 22 and 28 miles, again depending on the terrain and average speed. The point is that you won’t have to spend half the week recharging it just to take short trips.

Getting to Grips with the Technical Specs

The Pride Pursuit XL offers an almost ATV like robustness and performance. This likely has a lot to do with the sophisticated front and rear suspension. There are big thirteen inch tires to keep you steady on all kinds of surfaces too. The tires are actually pneumatic, so the ride is always smooth. Add a top pillow seat, and you’re guaranteed a comfy ride, every time.

Directional signals and a sturdy headlight are included as standard with the basic XL models. You also get a 180 amp controller with a microprocessor for quick responses. Not only is this mobility scooter capable of running at top speed, but it’s also got everything you need to stay safe while you’re dashing around town.

The Right Way to Invest in Accessibility

The Pride Pursuit XL does have a major downside. It is too wide to fit in smaller elevators (some medium ones too), and it cannot be disassembled. Therefore, you should only use it when you know you’re not going to need to tackle upper floors. Frankly, this hasn’t been an issue for the folks I’ve seen use it. On the bright side, it can be easily wheeled into accessible cars and fixed securely to anchor points.

The thing to remember is that this mobility scooter is designed to be one of the most heavy duty products on the market. It is big and bulky, so you can’t pick it up and move it around without a lot of effort. With that being said, it is perfectly suited to outdoor use, on all kinds of ground conditions.

Some Little Extras and Additions

The XL comes with a front carrying basket as standard. However, you can remove this if you don’t feel it’s useful for your lifestyle. You can also ask to have a rear basket included with the scooter if one is not enough. The basic package comes with a luxury cushioned seat, but upgraded options are available with the Pursuit XL Sports package.

The scooter is currently available in Candy Apple Red, Silver, or Viper Blue. So, you’ll always look sharp, no matter where you’re headed. With a full lighting setup, you’ll never go unnoticed either. The XL is a good choice for anybody who struggles to get around unaided but doesn’t want to restrict themselves to leaving the house during daylight hours.

The Final Word

While the Pride Pursuit XL does throw up a few challenges when it comes to transportability, it is a specially designed device. There are plenty of much sleeker, lighter products on the market and this one doesn’t need to offer more of the same. In fact, it’s all about providing the opposite. It is sturdy, solid, and satisfyingly predictable beneath your feet.

Despite this, it’s not a boring ride or tedious to handle. The nifty speeds certainly help with this. You’re likely to get a surprise when you take that first spin. Yes, it’s heavy and robust, but it moves with a remarkable lightness. This is evidence of its fine engineering and the use of nothing but premium mechanisms and components.

The Pride Mobility XL can be purchased the cheapest on Amazon.