In a Nutshell:
Rugged, durable and versatile, with lots of high-value add-ons available, this is a true adventure vehicle. TerrainHopper Mobility Scooter is recommended for anyone who can afford it, and the lift, truck, or van to get it from one place to another (and the extra battery to extend its range).
Customization options
Ease of Use
Comfort
Performance
Overall Rating
4.4/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended for: Anyone who can afford it, plus the lift, truck, or van to get it from one place to another (and the extra battery to extend its range).
Is your mobility issue cramping your lifestyle? Do you miss weekends spent hiking, fishing, camping, and more?
Are you looking for a mobility aid to help you get back out there and enjoy those things again? If so, you’ll love this review.
Make no mistake, the TerrainHopper Mobility Scooter is an expensive vehicle, which might be out of reach for some. Then again, can you put a price tag on freedom and independence?
In the following sections, we’ll tell you about the Terrain Hopper. It can do a lot, and in fact, it has a few capabilities we’ve never seen on any other mobility aid, but it’s not a perfect machine, and its shortcomings extend beyond the matter of price.
Not to worry. We’ll provide all the details below so you can decide if this is the machine you’ve been searching for. If that sounds good to you, let’s jump right in!
Key Features of the TerrainHopper Mobility Scooter
The first thing we want to mention here is that the TerrainHopper Mobility Scooter is available in two variants on the company’s website: the Overlander 4ZS and the Overlander Mini.
The differences between them are scant (they are only a thousand dollars apart in price), with the TerrainHopper Overlander Mini being slightly less capable of the two. Our review is focused on the flagship model, the 4ZS.
When you see the Terrain Hopper for the first time, you may not even realize that it’s an all-terrain mobility device. It looks a lot like an ATV and has specs that match.
TerrainHopper Overlander 4ZS Specifications
Here are the basic stats of the machine:
Note the top speed, the high ground clearance, and the roll bars. This wheelchair was designed for action and adventure. If there is any doubt about that, add the monster all-terrain tires and a four-point harness, and it becomes clear (Note: Monster tires are not available on the Mini).
This isn’t your grandpa’s mobility aid. The TerrainHopper Overlander 4ZS is a beast that can take you places most other mobility aids just can’t handle. The 45-degree slope handling? That’s not a typo. And did we mention the fact that it’s four-wheel drive, too?
Adjustability
The Terrain Hopper is moderately adjustable. You can order the seat in manual or electric configurations and slide it back and forth like the seats in your car to improve its overall fit.
The seat also rotates, making transfers into and out of the Terrain Hopper easier. The roll bars on either side lift up and out of the way to make things even easier. Once you’re securely in place, you can pull them back down, buckle up, and get ready to ride.
Comfort
Comfort-wise, it’s adequate but not exceptional. This isn’t a chair you’ll want to lounge in or nap in, but if you’re getting one of these, that’s probably the last thing on your mind. The major point is that TerrainHopper wheelchairs are comfortable enough to ride the trails for several hours.
Storage, Customization Options, and Extras
While a fair number of high-value options are available, including a lighting kit, sound kit, and even a winch and towing cable with a 1-ton capacity, the Terrain Hopper falls short in onboard storage.
We were a bit disappointed in that, given that it’s designed as an adventure chair, but it’s easy enough to find aftermarket storage solutions, so it’s not the end of the world.
One thing that will blow you away is the color options available. There are thousands to choose from, so you can get your desired aesthetic.
Not a Very Portable Machine
There are two reasons the Terrain Hopper didn’t place higher on our list of finalists in the roundup review. As we have discussed, the first is the stock model’s range. Of course, that can be overcome by investing in extra batteries.
Unfortunately, there’s no getting around this unit’s lack of portability. It’s a hefty piece of equipment, weighing in at 350 pounds. Worse, it doesn’t come apart or break down into smaller, manageably sized pieces, so moving it from place to place is a challenge. Your options are:
You won’t be able to fit this in the trunk of any car, hatchback, or SUV, so if you’re considering buying this model, you’ll need to factor one of the above into your cost picture.
Easy to Use and Fun to Drive
This looks and handles like an ATV. If you’ve driven one, you’ll take to the TerrainHopper Overlander 4Z like a duck to water. Even if you haven’t, although the steering is a bit different from your car, the principles are the same, and it won’t take you very long to master it because the controls are well-placed and intuitive.
With multiple control options available, however, there is a learning curve here, and you’ll need to practice until you’ve mastered switching from one means of steering to the other and to get a feel for the Terrain Hopper’s handling in general.
It’s well worth taking the time; you’ll love every second of it.
Pros & Cons of the TerrainHopper
We like almost everything about the Terrain Hopper. It’s loads of fun to drive and is a supremely capable machine. That said, it’s not for everyone.
The major drawback is the price. You can put a down payment on a house (a really good home in some parts of the country) for what the Terrain Hopper will cost you. No matter how cool and you love it, that fact will put it out of reach for some.
The Terrain Hopper’s relative lack of portability is another potential deal breaker. In addition to buying the machine, if you don’t already have a truck or a van, you’ll have to invest in a lift to get it where you want to go. That expense needs to be factored into the equation as well.
The other minor issue we’d mention in our TerrainHopper review is the chair’s underwhelming range in its stock configuration. With a twelve-mile range, you can’t do much adventuring.
Fortunately, if you spend the money for the battery upgrade, you can boost that to seventeen, and if you buy a second battery, you can double that to a respectable 34. That’s much better, but batteries aren’t cheap, and this is already an expensive chair, so again, we return to the price issue.
If you can afford it, though, it’s a wonder.
Terrain Hopper Review Conclusion
Although it has shortcomings, we must admit we love the TerrainHopper Mobility Scooter. However, unless you’re a diehard adventurer, there will be more chairs than you need. We recommend it, but only for people looking to go on hair-raising, off-road adventures. For everyone else, other, much less expensive options will also serve you.
Recommended Reading
Viking 4×4 Wheelchair Reviews
Discover the Viking 4×4, an incredible machine ideal for budget-conscious adventurers seeking versatility.
Outdoor Extreme Mobility Beach Cruiser Review
Our evaluation unveils the Outdoor Extreme Beach Cruiser, a powered beach wheelchair with polished aesthetics.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES:
- TerrainHopper USA, Official Brand Website.
- TerrainHopper Tech Review, LivAbility Magazine, Edition 12.
- Tempe Company’s All-terrain Scooter Expands Mobility for Disabled People, Ktar News
- TerrainHopper USA: Bringing Adventure and Freedom to People with Disabilities, Wheel: Life.
- 6 Adventure Trips You Can Do in a Wheelchair, Outside Online.