Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro edges out the Apollo City as the stronger all-round package for riders who want punchy performance, serious hill-climbing and very solid range without stepping into full-on "hyper scooter" madness. Its 60 V system, strong rear motor and generous battery simply make daily riding feel less strained and more effortless.
The Apollo City, on the other hand, fights back with better weather protection, an outstanding regen-focused braking concept, and a more polished, commuter-first design - ideal if you ride in the rain a lot, love app tweaks, and value fuss-free ownership over brute power. If your city is flat and wet, the Apollo still makes a lot of sense.
If you want maximum shove, range and fun per euro, lean KingSong. If you want a calmer, app-driven, ultra-weatherproof commuter that "just works" day after day, Apollo City remains a reasonable - if not spectacular - choice. Keep reading; the devil, as always, is in the riding details.
Both the Apollo City and the KingSong KS-N12 Pro sit in that "serious commuter" middleweight class: too heavy to be toys, too civilised to be track weapons. I've spent enough kilometres on each that I can confidently say neither is perfect, and neither is a disaster - they're very competent, but also very honest about their compromises once you've lived with them for a while.
The Apollo City comes across as the polished corporate commuter: slick design, clever regen braking paddle, strong weather sealing and a ride that whispers "Monday to Friday". The KingSong KS-N12 Pro is more the quiet gym rat: unshowy on paper, but with a 60 V system and a punchy rear motor that makes hills and long rides feel pleasantly easy.
If you're debating where to put your money - high-tech refinement versus rawer voltage and torque - this comparison will walk you through what each scooter actually feels like once the spec sheet hype has worn off.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters live in the same rough price territory, aimed at riders who are done with rental-level machines and want a "real vehicle" - but without the size, danger and price tag of the monstrous dual-motor beasts. Think daily commutes in that 10-20 km window, with occasional longer weekend runs.
The Apollo City (dual-motor flavour) is pitched as a premium mid-range commuter: modern looks, clever software, lots of safety touches, and a huge emphasis on low maintenance and weather protection. It's for people who want to roll up to an office, plug in, and not think too much about it.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro comes from a performance-leaning background, with that 60 V architecture and a robust rear motor clearly aimed at riders who care more about shove and long-term battery stamina than about owning the prettiest scooter in the bike rack. It's still very much a commuter, just one that doesn't wheeze when the road tilts upwards.
They're direct rivals because they target the same rider: an adult, probably commuting daily, who wants comfort, usable speed, and enough range to stop checking the percentage every five minutes - but who still has to get the thing into a flat, garage or lift without a hernia.
Design & Build Quality
Park them side by side and the Apollo City definitely wins the "ooh, what's that?" contest. The design is cohesive, with hidden cabling, a tidy unibody feel, and that integrated stem display which - in good lighting - looks like it came off a modern gadget rather than an eBay parts bin. The surfaces feel tight and dense, with very little in the way of rattles once you've done a few hundred kilometres.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro goes for a more industrial, slightly "Cyberpunk commuter" vibe. You see more of the mechanical bits, but nothing looks cheap. The frame feels stout, welds are reassuring rather than pretty, and the RGB deck strips give it some personality at night. The dashboard is more conventional but also clearer than Apollo's in bright conditions, which matters when you're actually riding rather than Instagramming.
Where Apollo clearly spent a lot of time is the cockpit and folding hardware. The stem clamp feels very solid, and the lack of meaningful stem wobble at speed is genuinely confidence inspiring. KingSong's folding system is simpler and also robust, but it has more of that "strong tool" aura than "designed object". Functionally they're close; aesthetically, Apollo has the edge, even if the real-world benefit is mostly that it looks nicer in the office corridor.
Build quality-wise, both are decent rather than jaw-dropping. Over time, the Apollo's sleek finishing can make its few quirks - like a slightly awkward charge port and sometimes fiddly kickstand - feel more annoying because the rest looks so refined. The KingSong feels more honest: you expect it to be a bit chunky in places, so the odd rough edge doesn't surprise you.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Both scooters sit comfortably in the "proper suspension, sane tyres" club. You get 10-inch air-filled tyres and sprung suspension front and rear on each, which is already miles ahead of the dead-plank feeling of solid-tyre commuters.
The Apollo City's triple-spring setup gives a distinctly "plush urban magic carpet" sensation at typical city speeds. Hitting a patch of broken asphalt or a string of manhole covers, the scooter absorbs the sharpness and gives you a muted "thud" rather than a crack up the spine. It's particularly forgiving on long riverside paths or old cobblestones, and the wide handlebars help you keep the front end planted without much effort.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro feels slightly firmer, more like a well-damped hatchback than a floating sofa. You still get very good comfort - pothole edges are softened, not transmitted - but you're a bit more connected to the road. The payoff is that when you start pushing closer to its higher cruising speeds, the chassis feels nicely taut. Direction changes are predictable, and it doesn't give up stability just because the surface gets a bit sketchy.
In tight urban manoeuvres - weaving through bollards, U-turning on narrow cycle paths - both behave sensibly. Apollo's wider bars and roomy deck make it feel a bit more "commanding" and calm, especially for newer riders. The KingSong feels more compact and slightly sportier, especially with its rear-drive bias; you notice the extra eagerness when you steer and accelerate at the same time.
If you mostly cruise at moderate speeds and value a cushy ride, the Apollo's suspension tuning is friendlier. If you plan to ride closer to the top of what these scooters can do, the KingSong's firmer, more controlled feel gives you a touch more confidence.
Performance
On raw riding feel, the two scooters are not in the same mood. The Apollo City dual-motor steps off the line with smooth, predictable torque. It's quick enough to leave rental scooters for dead and comfortably beat traffic off the lights, but the power delivery is tamed; you're never fighting to keep your feet on the deck. It cruises in the mid-thirties (km/h) in a relaxed way, with enough extra speed in reserve that inclines don't feel like punishment, especially with both motors doing their thing.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro, with its 60 V rear motor, feels more muscular and more urgent once rolling. The initial shove is stronger, and the scooter has that satisfying "lean and go" character you get from a torquey rear-drive setup. On hills, the difference becomes obvious: where the Apollo holds its own and chugs up at a respectable pace, the KingSong just feels less bothered. You stay closer to your flat-ground pace without having to mash the throttle and hope.
At the top end, both hit similar headline speeds, but the KingSong reaches and holds its upper cruising band more effortlessly thanks to the higher-voltage system. If you ride in places where you can legally and safely use those higher speeds, the KingSong feels more at home up there; the Apollo will do it, but you sense you're nearer its edge.
Braking is an interesting philosophical split. Apollo's dedicated regen paddle on the left is genuinely one of its standout features: once you're used to it, you can do most of your slowing with just that, barely touching the enclosed drum brakes. It makes speed control in traffic incredibly smooth and also reduces mechanical wear to near-zero. The KingSong counters with a mixed drum-and-disc setup plus electronic ABS. It's more conventional - you pull the levers and the scooter stops hard, with the front drum happy in bad weather and the rear disc adding bite.
In outright stopping ability, both do a good job for their class, but the Apollo's braking experience feels more modern and "clever", while the KingSong's feels more old-school but reassuringly strong. If you love one-pedal driving in EV cars, Apollo's regen concept will charm you. If you just want firm levers and predictable stops, KingSong has you covered.
Battery & Range
This is where the spec sheets quietly favour the KingSong, and real-world riding tends to agree. The KS-N12 Pro's battery pack sits comfortably in the upper-middle of commuter capacity, and that 60 V architecture helps it deliver power more efficiently, especially at higher speeds. In normal mixed riding - some fast stretches, some city crawling, a few hills - you're realistically looking at a solid full day of urban use for most people, and then some. Many riders can do a couple of moderate commutes before needing a socket.
The Apollo City's battery options range from decent to genuinely good on paper, especially in the higher-capacity versions. In reality, once you use the power it gives you - dual motors, non-eco modes, hills - your usable range settles into a comfortable but not outstanding bracket. You can do a there-and-back work trip plus errands without panic, but pushing very long distances at brisk speeds will have you glancing at the app more often than you might like.
Charging is another point of contrast. The Apollo can refuel in under a working afternoon with a faster charger, which is handy if you're the sort who rides to work nearly empty and needs a full tank by five o'clock. The KingSong is more of an overnight creature - plug it in before bed, wake up to a full battery. The trade-off is that, because of its stronger real-world range, you simply don't need to plug in every day unless you're a serious distance junkie.
In short: Apollo's range is fine for genuine commuting needs, especially if your daily loop is modest. The KingSong just feels less range-limited and more relaxed if you ride fast or far. If you hate thinking about battery percentages, the KS-N12 Pro is the calmer ownership experience.
Portability & Practicality
Let's be blunt: neither of these is "carry-friendly" in the way a slimline rental clone is. They both sit in the "large dog" weight category - you can lift them, but you'll feel it in your back if you're doing stairs more than once or twice a week.
The Apollo City, despite its marketing polish, is still a hefty lump. The fold is secure, and the stem locks onto the deck well enough that lifting it into a car boot is possible without finger gymnastics. But lugging it up three flights of stairs after a long day is a good test of your life choices. The non-folding handlebars also make it a bit awkward in crowded trains or narrow hallways.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro is only marginally lighter or heavier depending on version, so in the hands it feels similarly "borderline portable". Its folding system is quick, and the way the stem hooks to the rear fender makes one-handed lifting to knee height realistic. But again, this is a scooter best rolled, not carried. Multi-modal commuters who picture hopping on and off buses with it are likely to lose the romance quite quickly.
Day-to-day practicality once rolling is better on both. Decks are roomy, kickstands are adequate (if not perfect), and there's enough accessory real estate for phone mounts or extra lights. Apollo's high water resistance rating gives it an edge if your commute involves puddles and unpredictable weather; the KingSong's more modest rating means you should be more mindful about riding in heavy, sustained rain, even if the hardware doesn't feel flimsy.
Safety
Safety on these two is more about philosophy than capability. Apollo leans heavily into control and weather resilience. The regen paddle allows beautifully modulated slowing, and the dual drum brakes are fully enclosed, which is excellent when the roads are salty, wet or filthy. Add the very strong water resistance and turn signals mounted at sensible heights, and you get a scooter that feels purpose-built for messy urban conditions.
The KingSong answers with a more conventional but robust safety setup: front drum, rear disc, and E-ABS to stop you locking a wheel during panic braking. It works: grabs hard when you need it, with enough electronic nannying that wet paint lines don't feel like a guaranteed crash. The lighting package is arguably flashier and more noticeable than Apollo's - those RGB side lights plus decent indicators make you stand out, which is not a bad thing when cars are on their phones instead of their mirrors.
At speed, both are stable enough for the class. Apollo's geometry and solid stem clamp mean very minimal wobble even near its top cruising pace. KingSong's slightly sportier stance and 60 V system let it feel more confident when you're really stretching its legs, but both give a "planted" ride if your tyres are at sensible pressures.
If you ride a lot in heavy rain or winter slop, Apollo's safety story is stronger, mainly thanks to that serious water resistance and fully enclosed braking hardware. If you ride more in dry-to-damp conditions and care more about visibility and strong, conventional stopping power, the KingSong makes a very solid case.
Community Feedback
| Apollo City | KingSong KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
| What riders love | What riders love |
| Smooth regen paddle braking; very comfy urban suspension; sleek, cable-free look; strong water resistance; low-maintenance drums and self-healing tyres; solid build and quiet ride; useful app customisation; excellent hill-climbing in dual-motor form. | Strong torque and hill-climbing; very comfortable dual suspension; robust, "serious vehicle" feel; bright lighting and RGB deck strips; good real-world range; effective hybrid braking with E-ABS; stable at higher speeds; spacious deck and decent ergonomics. |
| What riders complain about | What riders complain about |
| Heavy and awkward on stairs; kickstand and stock fenders not ideal; headlight underwhelming on dark lanes; display hard to read in bright sun; charging port location a bit fiddly; price feels ambitious to some for the performance. | Also heavy to carry; long-ish charging time; riders wish for hydraulic brakes; rear fender could protect better in heavy spray; occasional app/Bluetooth quirks; weight surprises new owners expecting "portable" behaviour. |
Price & Value
Neither scooter is cheap, but both undercut the truly exotic machines while clearly outclassing the rental-grade stuff. The Apollo City sits a little higher on the price ladder, leaning on its refined design, app, and excellent water resistance to justify the tag. If you put a premium on low maintenance, rain-or-shine reliability and slick looks, you can rationalise it - but you are paying a bit of a "design tax".
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro quietly underbids Apollo while giving you a beefy 60 V system and a healthy battery for the money. From a strictly pragmatic point of view - motor strength, voltage, capacity - it looks like better hardware-per-euro. There's less polished flair, but also fewer soft costs hiding behind aesthetics. If your heart isn't set on Apollo's ecosystem and styling, KingSong comes off as the more rational financial choice.
Service & Parts Availability
Apollo has been expanding its support footprint, especially in North America, and offers a growing library of guides and how-tos. In Europe, support is more of a patchwork depending on the reseller, though parts are reasonably findable thanks to the scooter's popularity. Still, cases of slow responses around busy seasons aren't exactly rare.
KingSong benefits from its electric unicycle network: a lot of EUC-focused dealers also carry parts and support for the KS-N12 Pro. Electronics and battery know-how are a particular strong point; if you've ever seen how EUC riders treat their gear, that matters. Again, service quality is region-dependent, but the underlying ecosystem for spares and board/battery expertise is solid.
In Europe specifically, I'd give KingSong a mild edge on deep technical service and long-term parts outlook, and Apollo a small edge on user-friendly documentation and "plug and play" guidance.
Pros & Cons Summary
| Apollo City | KingSong KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | Apollo City (dual-motor, 960 Wh version) | KingSong KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated / peak) | 2 x 500 W / up to 2.000 W | 1.000 W / 1.400 W (rear) |
| Top speed (manufacturer) | Up to 51 km/h | Up to 50 km/h |
| Battery capacity | Approx. 960 Wh (48 V, 20 Ah) | 858 Wh (60 V, 14,5 Ah) |
| Claimed max range | Up to 69 km (Eco) | Up to 80 km (theoretical) |
| Real-world range (mixed riding) | Approx. 35-45 km | Approx. 40-50 km |
| Weight | Approx. 29,5 kg (dual-motor) | 29,3 kg |
| Brakes | Dual drum + dedicated regen paddle | Front drum + rear disc + E-ABS |
| Suspension | Front spring + rear dual spring | Dual spring (front & rear) |
| Tyres | 10-inch pneumatic tubeless, self-healing | 10-inch pneumatic road tyres |
| Max load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| Water resistance rating | IP66 | Approx. IP54 (region-dependent) |
| Typical price | Approx. 1.208 € | Approx. 1.076 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
Both the Apollo City and the KingSong KS-N12 Pro are competent, grown-up electric scooters, but they scratch slightly different itches. Once you get past the marketing gloss and live with them, the KingSong quietly emerges as the more convincing package for most riders who prioritise actual riding over aesthetics. The stronger 60 V architecture, lively rear motor and healthy real-world range combine to make it feel less strained, less range-limited and more capable of "doing it all" without drama.
The Apollo City counters with better water resistance, a genuinely delightful regen braking interface, and a more polished visual and software experience. It is a safer bet for riders who ride in heavy rain, hate mechanical tinkering, and place a high value on design cohesion and app-driven tuning. Its performance is decent, its comfort is good, but it doesn't quite leap ahead of the pack in the way its marketing suggests.
If your commute includes steep hills, longer distances or frequent high-speed sections - and you mostly ride in dry to moderate weather - the KingSong KS-N12 Pro is the one I'd live with. It simply feels more relaxed doing hard work. If instead you're riding in a rainy city, mostly at moderate speeds, and you want a scooter that looks sharp in a lobby, shrugs off bad weather and needs minimal fettling, the Apollo City is still a defensible choice - just not the outright no-brainer some fans make it out to be.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | Apollo City | KingSong KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 1,26 €/Wh | ✅ 1,25 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 23,69 €/km/h | ✅ 21,52 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 30,73 g/Wh | ❌ 34,16 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,58 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,59 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 30,20 €/km | ✅ 23,91 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,74 kg/km | ✅ 0,65 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 24,00 Wh/km | ✅ 19,07 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 39,22 W/km/h | ❌ 28,00 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,0148 kg/W | ❌ 0,0210 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 213,30 W | ❌ 114,40 W |
These metrics break down how efficiently each scooter turns euros, kilograms, watts and watt-hours into real-world performance. Price-per-Wh and price-per-km tell you how much battery and range you get for your money; weight-related metrics show how much mass you're hauling for that performance; Wh/km reveals energy efficiency; the power-to-speed and weight-to-power ratios give a snapshot of how muscular each scooter is relative to its top speed and size; and average charging speed hints at how quickly you can realistically get back on the road.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | Apollo City | KingSong KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Fractionally lighter, similar feel | ❌ Slightly heavier overall |
| Range | ❌ Good but middling real range | ✅ Goes further at real speeds |
| Max Speed | ✅ Tiny edge on paper | ❌ Slightly lower spec figure |
| Power | ✅ Dual motors, stronger peak | ❌ Single motor, less peak |
| Battery Size | ✅ Bigger pack capacity | ❌ Smaller Wh overall |
| Suspension | ✅ Softer, very plush urban feel | ❌ Firmer, less cushy |
| Design | ✅ Sleek, integrated, fewer cables | ❌ More industrial aesthetic |
| Safety | ✅ Regen paddle, IP66, drums | ❌ Lower IP, more basic |
| Practicality | ❌ Heavy, wide, awkward indoors | ✅ Marginally easier to live with |
| Comfort | ✅ Very plush, forgiving ride | ❌ Comfortable but firmer |
| Features | ✅ Regen paddle, good app suite | ❌ Fewer "smart" tricks |
| Serviceability | ❌ More proprietary, app-centric | ✅ Simpler, EUC-hardened guts |
| Customer Support | ❌ Hit-and-miss by region | ✅ Strong EUC dealer network |
| Fun Factor | ❌ Competent but slightly tame | ✅ Torquey, lively, more grin |
| Build Quality | ✅ Tight, low rattles, premium | ❌ Robust but less refined |
| Component Quality | ✅ Drums, self-healing tyres | ❌ Mixed brakes, standard tyres |
| Brand Name | ✅ Strong scooter-focused branding | ✅ Respected EUC engineering brand |
| Community | ✅ Large, vocal scooter community | ❌ Smaller scooter user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ❌ Functional but not standout | ✅ RGB, bright, very visible |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ Headlight underwhelming off-grid | ✅ Better forward lighting |
| Acceleration | ✅ Smooth dual-motor shove | ❌ Strong but less peak |
| Arrive with smile factor | ❌ Feels sensible more than fun | ✅ Punchy, engaging daily ride |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Softer ride, calmer pace | ❌ Sportier, more alert riding |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much quicker recharge | ❌ Long overnight top-up |
| Reliability | ✅ Simple drums, sealed tyres | ✅ Proven electronics, robust BMS |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Wide bars, awkward shape | ✅ Neater folded footprint |
| Ease of transport | ❌ Heavy, clumsy on stairs | ✅ Slightly easier to manage |
| Handling | ✅ Stable, confidence for new riders | ❌ Sharper, sportier, less mellow |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong regen plus drums | ❌ Good, but less refined |
| Riding position | ✅ Wide bars, comfy stance | ❌ Slightly more compact feel |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Solid, ergonomic sweep | ❌ Functional, less premium |
| Throttle response | ✅ Tunable, smooth via app | ❌ Less configurable, more basic |
| Dashboard/Display | ❌ Stylish but sun-wash issues | ✅ Clearer LCD, easy glance |
| Security (locking) | ✅ Useful electronic lock via app | ✅ App lock plus physical-friendly |
| Weather protection | ✅ IP66, rain commuter friendly | ❌ Lower rating, more caution |
| Resale value | ✅ Popular, design helps resale | ❌ Niche, EUC brand cross-over |
| Tuning potential | ✅ App profiles, regen tuning | ❌ Less software customisation |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Drums, tubeless self-healing | ❌ More standard wear parts |
| Value for Money | ❌ Pay more for polish | ✅ Strong hardware per euro |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City scores 5 points against the KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro's 5. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City gets 27 ✅ versus 15 ✅ for KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: APOLLO City scores 32, KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro scores 20.
Based on the scoring, the APOLLO City is our overall winner. For me, the KingSong KS-N12 Pro is the scooter I'd actually keep in the hallway: it feels more eager on the throttle, less worried about distance, and simply more satisfying when you're riding for yourself rather than for the brochure photos. It's not glamorous, but it gets the core job done with a bit more conviction. The Apollo City is easier to love at first sight than after a long winter of commuting; it's pleasant, well thought-out and genuinely comfortable, but some of the magic fades once you realise it's not quite as capable as it looks. If you value refinement and rain-hardiness above all, it will keep you content. If you want your commute to feel a little more alive, the KingSong is the one that will keep you reaching for the keys.
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.