Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro edges out the Apollo City 2022 as the more capable, future-proof commuter, mainly thanks to its stronger motor system, beefier battery and better real-world performance at similar money. It feels more like a grown-up transport tool and less like a fancy upgraded rental.
The Apollo City 2022 still makes sense if you prioritise weather protection, super-low maintenance (drum brakes + self-healing tyres) and a very polished, integrated design over raw muscle. It's the "clean suit, office-friendly" choice; the KingSong is more the "I just overtook three e-bikes uphill" option.
If you can live with the weight and don't need hardcore portability, the KS-N12 Pro is the stronger all-rounder. If you want a comfy, refined city glide and hate wrenching on scooters, the Apollo remains a defensible pick.
Now let's dig into the details - the interesting stuff starts where the spec sheets stop.
Electric scooters in this price range are no longer toys; they're car replacements with folding stems. Both the Apollo City 2022 and the KingSong KS-N12 Pro sit in that awkward middle ground: too heavy to be "last-mile" gadgets, not quite in the "hold-on-to-your-teeth" hyper-scooter club. I've spent enough damp mornings and bumpy bike lanes on both to know exactly where each starts to shine - and where the gloss rubs off.
The Apollo arrives dressed like a premium consumer gadget: slick, integrated, tidy. The KingSong rolls up looking more like a compact vehicle with EUC DNA, quietly promising boring things like controller reliability and hill torque. In practice, both are good, neither is magical, and each hides compromises you should know about before dropping a four-digit sum.
If you're trying to choose between them, this is very much a "what annoys you less" decision. Keep reading; the devil is in the road cracks, not the catalogue.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
These two are natural rivals: mid-to-upper mid-range commuters for adults who are done with wobbly rental clones but don't want a 40-kg monster in the hallway. They live in a similar price bracket, promise "serious commuter" performance, and both target riders who regularly do double-digit kilometre days.
The Apollo City 2022 leans into the "polished commuter" pitch: integrated design, weather resistance, low maintenance, lots of comfort for typical city speeds. Think office worker who wants to glide to work, park it under the desk and not think about it.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro is the performance-tilted middleweight: higher-voltage system, meatier motor, chunkier battery, and a more technical, EUC-inspired approach to electronics and safety. It suits riders who care as much about punching up hills and keeping pace with fast bike-lane traffic as they do about looking tidy outside the coffee shop.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the Apollo (or rather, attempt to) and the first impression is: "this is very much a vehicle, not a toy." The frame feels dense, the unibody aesthetic is genuinely well executed, and the hidden cabling is a joy if you're tired of scooters that look like they were wired during a power cut. Rubber deck, tidy stem, integrated lights - it's clearly been sketched by someone who has seen an iPhone before.
The KingSong isn't ugly, but it's more functional than finessed. Cables are reasonably tucked away, not showroom-perfect. The aluminium chassis feels robust, with fewer "design flourishes" and more "this won't snap when a 110-kg rider hits a pothole" energy. The RGB lighting strips along the deck add a slightly cyberpunk flair - fun at night, borderline tacky in broad daylight depending on taste.
In the hands, tolerances on both are decent: no worrying stem play, no obvious weak hinges. The Apollo wins on perceived polish: rubber mat, clean lines, integrated display all make it feel like a cohesive product. The KingSong wins more by feeling over-built - thicker bits in the right places, fewer delicate appendages begging to be kicked off. If you value sleekness, Apollo; if you value "this feels like it'll shrug off abuse," the KingSong nudges ahead.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Both scooters fall into the "floating over city scars" camp rather than "wooden plank on shopping trolley wheels." But they float differently.
The Apollo's triple spring setup, combined with its self-healing pneumatic tyres, gives a very plush first impression. On cracked pavement and typical European cobbles, it soaks up chatter nicely. After a good few kilometres of neglected cycle paths, my knees and wrists were still on speaking terms. It has that slightly "soft couch" feel - great for comfort, a bit wallowy if you start riding it like a sports scooter.
The KingSong's dual suspension is less showy on paper but very competent. It filters out sharp hits well, and with the 10-inch air tyres, you get a balanced, slightly firmer ride. Over a series of nasty speed bumps, the KS-N12 Pro felt more controlled; the Apollo smoothed them a touch more but started to feel a bit bouncy if I pushed the pace. The KS encourages more spirited cornering, the Apollo encourages relaxed gliding.
Handling follows that pattern. The Apollo's wide bars and stable geometry make it confidence-inspiring, especially for riders stepping up from flimsy entry-level models. The KingSong feels a bit more eager to lean into turns and a touch more planted at higher speeds. If your commute is lots of twisty bike paths and mixed surfaces, both are fine; if you like carving and occasionally "forgetting" it's supposed to be a commuter, the KS-N12 Pro is marginally more satisfying.
Performance
Performance is where the two start to diverge meaningfully.
The Apollo City 2022 (in its Pro dual-motor guise) has enough shove to put a grin on your face and enough top speed that you'll quickly meet the limits of your cycle infrastructure - or your local law. Off the line, it's brisk without being terrifying, and the throttle mapping is one of its best traits: smooth, predictable, no nasty jerks when you feather the thumb. On hills, the dual-motor version climbs with acceptable confidence; you don't feel like you're flogging it, but it's not exactly a hill-eating monster either. It's "quick city scooter" territory, not "sport bike on a stick."
The KingSong, with its higher-voltage system and torquier rear motor, simply feels stronger. It digs in harder when you open the throttle, especially from low to medium speeds, and hill climbs are where the Apollo starts to look like the smaller sibling. On steep urban ramps and bridges where the Apollo's enthusiasm starts to taper, the KS-N12 Pro keeps pushing with more authority. It's still a single-motor machine, but you rarely feel short-changed in real-world riding - unless you're spoiled by dual-motor beasts.
Braking is an interesting comparison. Apollo's dual drum system plus the dedicated regen throttle makes for very controlled, car-like one-pedal riding once you get used to it. For everyday commuting, I found myself using the regen thumb almost exclusively, saving the mechanical drums for emergency stops or wet surprises. The KingSong's hybrid front drum/rear disc with electronic ABS has more initial bite at the rear and a slightly more traditional feel. In panic stops from higher speed, the KS combo, especially with the E-ABS helping maintain traction, feels a bit more aggressive; the Apollo, a touch more progressive and predictable.
At the top end, both will take you to speeds where you'll start thinking about better helmets. The KingSong feels slightly more relaxed when you're cruising near its upper limit, thanks to its geometry and power overhead. The Apollo is stable enough there but feels closer to its envelope - you're more aware you're pushing a "city" scooter beyond its original mission.
Battery & Range
On paper, their battery capacities sit in the same ballpark; in practice, the way they use that energy is different.
The Apollo City 2022 Pro offers respectable real-world range. Ridden in the fastest mode with my usual impatient throttle hand, I was settling into that "comfortably enough for a decent round-trip commute, but don't go exploring three suburbs away without a charger" territory. Drop into a mellower mode and it stretches nicely, especially if you make full use of the regen on stop-and-go city routes. But it's not the sort of scooter you buy if you routinely need long out-and-back rides at high speed.
The KingSong, with its big 60 V pack, does a better job of holding its nerve as the battery drops. It suffers less "half-empty sluggishness"; the punch stays usable for longer into the discharge curve. In my testing and from rider reports, aggressive riding still returns a noticeably longer distance than the Apollo in similar conditions. Ride gently and you're firmly into "commute for a couple of days, charge at night when you remember" territory.
Charging is one of the Apollo's quiet wins: its pack refills relatively quickly for its size, making lunchtime top-ups realistic. The KingSong leans on the more traditional "plug in before bed, forget about it" schedule, which is fine unless you're the type who routinely arrives home on vapours and needs to head straight back out. If you value fast top-ups, Apollo has the edge; if you value not thinking about range quite as much in the first place, the KS-N12 Pro does better.
Portability & Practicality
Neither of these is what I'd call "portable" with a straight face. They fold; that's not the same thing as being easy to carry.
The Apollo City (especially the Pro) is a hefty lump. The folding mechanism itself is reassuringly solid and reasonably quick - no clumsy collar gymnastics - but once it's folded, you're still wrestling nearly thirty kilos of metal. The hook that's supposed to keep stem and deck together when carrying works, but you do have to baby it a bit; tilt it wrong and it can pop loose, which is not ideal halfway up a staircase.
The KingSong is in the same weight class, and it feels it. The locking mechanism is solid and easy enough to operate, and when folded the scooter is reasonably compact lengthwise, but you won't be leaping up metro stairs with it unless you enjoy involuntary gym sessions. The balance when carrying is slightly better than the Apollo's - the hook to the rear fender is less fussy - but we're splitting hairs here; both are "roll, don't lug" machines.
Where practicality bites less is day-to-day use. The Apollo's high water-resistance rating, sealed drums and self-healing tyres make it a low-fuss commuter: fewer flats, fewer adjustment sessions, less anxiety about passing showers. Roll it out, ride, wipe the rubber deck, done. The KingSong demands a touch more conventional upkeep (disc alignment, tyre vigilance), but rewards you with stronger performance and a bit more battery headroom. Neither is a maintenance nightmare, but if your idea of tools is "calling someone else", Apollo is kinder.
Safety
Safety is one of the rare areas where both brands clearly tried - this isn't the usual "tiny headlight and hope for the best" situation.
Braking on the Apollo is quietly clever. The dual sealed drums don't look exciting on a spec sheet, but combined with the dedicated regen lever they give you consistent wet-weather performance and almost no maintenance downtime. You can scrub off speed very predictably, and you're not constantly fiddling with calipers or warped discs. On slick city tarmac, that consistency goes a long way.
The KingSong's hybrid drum/disc plus E-ABS system leans more towards outright power and control in emergency stops. The rear disc offers solid bite; the front drum stays protected from muck and water. The electronic anti-lock behaviour helps prevent that heart-stopping wheel lock on painted zebra crossings or wet leaves. It feels like it's been tuned by people who understand what a sudden cut-out means on a unicycle - they take traction seriously.
Lighting is another interesting contrast. Apollo's integrated headlight and rear lighting with turn indicators are tidy and good enough for most urban use, though the headlight is a bit underwhelming if you regularly ride unlit country lanes. The turn signals being low on the deck isn't ideal for car drivers' eye lines either. The KingSong goes louder: bright main beam, distinctive RGB deck strips, and clearly visible turn signals. It manages to be both safer and showier - drivers notice you, whether they want to or not.
In wet conditions, Apollo's higher water-resistance rating and sealed components give more peace of mind. The KS-N12 Pro copes fine with normal drizzle and damp roads, but if you're the "ride regardless of forecast" type, Apollo does slightly more to reassure you that it won't die at the first proper downpour.
Community Feedback
| APOLLO City 2022 | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
| What riders love | What riders love |
| Integrated, premium look and feel; very smooth, cushy ride; regen throttle that makes one-finger slowing addictive; low-maintenance drums and self-healing tyres; strong weather protection; stable, wobble-free stem. | Punchy acceleration and hill power; plush but controlled suspension; solid, "grown-up" build; excellent lighting and visibility; good real-world range; confidence-inspiring stability at speed; brand reputation from EUC world. |
| What riders complain about | What riders complain about |
| Heavier than many expect; awkward to carry, folding hook can slip; headlight too weak for dark paths; early-batch QC glitches (mostly solved); turn signals too low; price feels ambitious to some for the actual punch. | Weight - again, a lot to lift; long charging time with stock charger; some wish for hydraulic brakes; rear fender could shield better in heavy rain; occasional app/Bluetooth quirks; not a dual-motor rocket for off-roaders. |
Price & Value
On the value front, both sit awkwardly between "sensible money" and "I could almost buy a used car." The Apollo asks a bit more than a lot of generic dual-motor machines with similar on-paper numbers, but gives you better integration, water-proofing and less faffing about with flats and brake pads. If you ride year-round in a wet city, that starts to look like actual value rather than marketing fluff.
The KingSong, slightly cheaper but with a stronger motor system and a chunkier battery, plays the classic "more go for your euro" card. You're getting a 60 V platform, decent electronics and solid range without having to step up into the visibly overbuilt extreme scooters. The trade-off is slightly more routine maintenance and a rougher relationship with your staircase.
Stacked directly against each other, the KS-N12 Pro feels like the better deal for riders who care about performance and longevity. The Apollo feels priced more for its polish and convenience than for its brute capabilities. Whether that's worth it comes down to whether you value a bit more torque, or a bit less hassle.
Service & Parts Availability
Apollo has built its brand story heavily on customer service and community feedback. In practice, that means decent documentation, a real attempt at Western-style support, and a growing list of third-party shops familiar with their range. Parts are proprietary in places, which is great for fit and finish but can mean waiting for specific spares rather than grabbing generic bits off a shelf.
KingSong rides in on the reputation it forged with electric unicycles. Their distributors across Europe are used to supporting higher-end, technical devices where failure is not just inconvenient but potentially painful. That ecosystem carries over fairly well to the N12 Pro: controllers, batteries and boards are not obscure, and most decent PEV shops understand KingSong hardware. On the flip side, they're still primarily an EUC brand, so scooter-specific support can be a bit patchier depending on your region.
In real-world terms: if you want a scooter that more generalist e-scooter shops recognise at a glance, the Apollo probably has the edge right now. If you're in an area with a strong EUC community and retailers, the KingSong network is surprisingly solid.
Pros & Cons Summary
| APOLLO City 2022 | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Cons
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | APOLLO City 2022 (Pro) | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated / peak) | Dual 500 W / 2.000 W peak | 1.000 W rear / 1.400 W peak |
| Top speed (unrestricted) | Ca. 51,5 km/h | Ca. 50 km/h |
| Advertised range | Ca. 61 km | Ca. 80 km |
| Real-world range (aggressive riding) | Ca. 35-40 km | Ca. 40-50 km |
| Battery capacity | 48 V / 18 Ah (864 Wh) | 60 V / 14,5 Ah (858 Wh) |
| Weight | Ca. 29,5 kg | Ca. 29,3 kg |
| Brakes | Front & rear drum + regen throttle | Front drum + rear disc + E-ABS |
| Suspension | Triple spring (front + dual rear) | Dual spring (front & rear) |
| Tyres | 10" tubeless self-healing pneumatic | 10" pneumatic road tyres |
| Max rider load | 120 kg (Pro) | 120 kg |
| Water resistance | IP56 | Ca. IP54 |
| Typical price | Ca. 1.145 € | Ca. 1.076 € |
| Charging time | Ca. 4 h | Ca. 7-8 h |
Price & Value
(covered above - table kept for clarity) Both live in the same economic neighbourhood; KingSong leans on performance per euro, Apollo leans on integrated design and low maintenance.
Service & Parts Availability
(covered above - in practice both are serviceable in Europe, with slightly different strengths depending on local dealers and whether your town is more "EUC-heavy" or "scooter-heavy".)
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
Boiling all of this down, the KingSong KS-N12 Pro comes out as the more complete package for most riders who want a serious, daily-use scooter. It pulls harder, goes further in the real world, feels more relaxed at speed, and does all of that for slightly less money. If you want something that feels solidly over-engineered where it matters - motor, electronics, stability - this is the safer long-term bet.
The Apollo City 2022, meanwhile, is the better fit for the comfort-obsessed commuter who values "just works" convenience and sleek looks over outright shove. If you're riding in a wet city, hate messing with flats, and you're more interested in floating to the office than drag-racing e-bikes, it will keep you happy - as long as you accept its weight and the fact that you are paying a premium for its polish rather than its punch.
If I had to live with one as my only scooter for a few years - dealing with hills, mixed weather and real-world distances - I'd take the KS-N12 Pro. If I already had something faster at home and wanted a comfy, tidy, low-stress office commuter, the Apollo would start to make more sense.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | APOLLO City 2022 Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 1,33 €/Wh | ✅ 1,26 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 22,24 €/km/h | ✅ 21,52 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 34,15 g/Wh | ❌ 34,16 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,57 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,59 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 30,53 €/km | ✅ 23,91 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,79 kg/km | ✅ 0,65 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 23,04 Wh/km | ✅ 19,07 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 38,83 W/(km/h) | ❌ 28,00 W/(km/h) |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,0148 kg/W | ❌ 0,0209 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 216,0 W | ❌ 114,4 W |
These metrics strip away emotion and look only at how efficiently each scooter turns euros, kilograms, watts and watt-hours into speed and range. Lower values usually mean more "bang for your buck" or lighter hardware for the same performance, while the higher-is-better metrics show where a scooter has more power available per unit of speed or faster battery refilling. Read them as a complement to, not a replacement for, real-world ride impressions.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | APOLLO City 2022 Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ❌ Similar mass, less payoff | ✅ Same weight, more performance |
| Range | ❌ Adequate but modest | ✅ Stronger real-world distance |
| Max Speed | ✅ Slightly higher on paper | ❌ Marginally lower top end |
| Power | ✅ Higher peak dual motors | ❌ Single motor, less peak |
| Battery Size | ✅ Tiny edge in capacity | ❌ Slightly smaller pack |
| Suspension | ✅ Softer, very plush feel | ❌ Firmer, slightly less cushy |
| Design | ✅ More integrated, cleaner look | ❌ More utilitarian styling |
| Safety | ✅ Better water sealing overall | ❌ Slightly lower weather rating |
| Practicality | ✅ Low maintenance, wet-proof | ❌ Needs more routine attention |
| Comfort | ✅ Softer, glide-like ride | ❌ Comfortable but firmer |
| Features | ✅ Regen throttle, app tweaks | ✅ RGB lights, app controls |
| Serviceability | ❌ More proprietary components | ✅ Easier generic part sourcing |
| Customer Support | ✅ Strong brand-run support | ❌ More distributor-dependent |
| Fun Factor | ❌ Comfortable, slightly sensible | ✅ Punchier, more playful |
| Build Quality | ✅ Very solid, minimal rattles | ✅ Robust, confidence-inspiring |
| Component Quality | ✅ Nice integration, good hardware | ✅ Strong electronics, decent parts |
| Brand Name | ✅ Well-known scooter specialist | ✅ Respected EUC engineering brand |
| Community | ✅ Active scooter user base | ✅ Strong EUC-crossover community |
| Lights (visibility) | ❌ Good, but less dramatic | ✅ Very visible, standout |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ Headlight a bit weak | ✅ Better road lighting |
| Acceleration | ❌ Quick, but milder feel | ✅ Stronger shove off line |
| Arrive with smile factor | ❌ Calm, not exhilarating | ✅ More grin per kilometre |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Super chilled, comfy | ❌ Slightly sportier, less floaty |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much quicker refill | ❌ Slow overnight charging |
| Reliability | ✅ Mature design, fewer worries | ✅ Strong electronics heritage |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Hook fiddly when carrying | ✅ Folds and hooks more cleanly |
| Ease of transport | ❌ Heavy, awkward to lug | ❌ Equally heavy, cumbersome |
| Handling | ❌ Softer, less precise feel | ✅ Sharper, more planted |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong, predictable with regen | ✅ Powerful hybrid, E-ABS assist |
| Riding position | ✅ Very natural commuter stance | ✅ Comfortable, adult-friendly |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Ergonomic, well executed | ✅ Wide, confidence-boosting |
| Throttle response | ✅ Exceptionally smooth, linear | ✅ Responsive yet manageable |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Nicely integrated, clear | ❌ Sometimes hard in bright sun |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App lock plus easy U-lock | ✅ App lock, conventional frame |
| Weather protection | ✅ Excellent sealing, IP56 | ❌ Adequate, but not as strong |
| Resale value | ✅ Recognised, desirable commuter | ✅ Strong niche following |
| Tuning potential | ❌ More locked-down ecosystem | ✅ Easier to tweak, mod |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Drums, self-healing tyres | ❌ Standard tyres, disc upkeep |
| Value for Money | ❌ Paying extra for polish | ✅ Stronger performance per euro |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City 2022 scores 5 points against the KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro's 5. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City 2022 gets 26 ✅ versus 24 ✅ for KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: APOLLO City 2022 scores 31, KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro scores 29.
Based on the scoring, the APOLLO City 2022 is our overall winner. Between these two, the KingSong KS-N12 Pro is the scooter I'd rather face a mixed, hilly, real-world commute on: it simply feels more capable, more eager, and more rewarding every time you open the throttle. The Apollo City 2022 is a likeable, very civilised machine, but it leans harder on looking and feeling premium than on delivering standout performance for its heft and price. If your heart wants a bit of a kick on the way to work, go KingSong; if your soul craves a quiet, cushioned glide with minimal maintenance drama, the Apollo will treat you gently enough. Neither is perfect, but only one genuinely feels like it's punching above its weight.
That's our verdict when we try to stay objective – but hey, riding is mostly about emotions anyway, so pick the one that will make you look forward to your commute every single day.