Luke Cuenco 03.10.25
As someone who has spent most of his driving life in trucks that prioritized durability over speed, I’ve never been known for tearing up the roads. My first rides—a late 80’s AWD Subaru and the subsequent RAM 1500 —weren’t exactly built for rapid acceleration. They were workhorses, not racehorses, and I learned to appreciate their steady pace, and reliable performance (I have some thoughts on the RAM in retrospect). In all that time I’ve never really taken the chance to try out any of the aftermarket throttle controllers out there. But when I recently upgraded to a 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with a 6-speed manual transmission and was offered an opportunity to test out an Ultimate9 evcX throttle controller, I couldn’t pass the opportunity up. While the modern Tacoma’s have plenty of power and refinement on their own from the factory, its throttle response left something to be desired—it felt laggy, almost reluctant as if the truck was hesitant to do what I wanted it to. This is something that a lot of folks out there might have noticed with virtually any of their electronically controlled throttle vehicles – which is basically every car on the road right now. Modern throttle controllers are interesting and sometimes even handy pieces of tech you can install yourself, so today we’ll check out the Ultimate9 evcX and give you guys an idea of the type of things it can do.
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Is the Ultimate9 evcX Throttle Controller Worth It? My Hands-On Experience
Why a Throttle Controller?
Modern vehicles, including my Tacoma, use drive-by-wire systems where the accelerator pedal sends electronic signals to the throttle body. Manufacturers often program these systems with delays to smooth out acceleration, optimize fuel economy, or meet ever-increasing emissions standards. While these design choices make sense, they can leave the throttle feeling disconnected and sluggish—especially for those of us who love or are used to the typical immediacy of manual transmission or physical throttle/pedal linkage. The EVCX changes this by letting you control two key aspects of throttle behavior: Pedal Sensitivity and Throttle Speed. the evcX and its accompanying app can individually change the pedal sensitivity by changing the ratio of pedal travel to throttle opening, making less pedal input yield a greater response, or by altering the Throttle Speed by removing or shortening the typical factory-set throttle response delays.
Installing the Ultimate9 EVCX
Before we get into the results, I have to give a nod to how ridiculously easy it was to install the EVCX. All I had to do was:
- Disconnect the pedal assembly’s wiring harness.
- Plug the EVCX inline between the pedal and the harness.
- Mount the control unit using the included magnetic or adhesive mount.
- Download the app, scan the QR code, and sync the controller.
- The entire process took less than 10 minutes—most of that time was spent deciding where to mount the unit and tidying up the cable. I chose the magnetic mount for its flexibility, and it’s been rock-solid so far, just make sure you properly prep any plastic surfaces in your vehicle so that the included adhesives will actually stick.
If you have trouble with the directions I provided above, you can also check out this handy video from Ultimate9 where they’ll give you some additional help with some visuals.
On the Road
The first drive with the EVCX throttle controller installed wasn’t exactly a night-and-day transformation, but I think it was definitely an improvement. I started with Ultimate Mode at Level 3, aiming for a setting that I felt like smoothed out my truck’s throttle response without making it feel jumpy or unnatural. Even just on the street in front of our house, I noticed that the slight delay between pressing the pedal and the engine responding had been reduced. This also made shifting gears feel a little more connected, and acceleration was more predictable—no lag surprises, just a more refined feel.
Curious about the adjustability, I used the EVCX app to fine-tune the response in real-time. Bumping it up to Level 5, the changes were subtle but meaningful. The truck didn’t feel “faster,” but the hesitation in throttle delivery was further reduced, making low-speed maneuvering and rolling starts feel more intuitive. It was especially useful in stop-and-go traffic, where smoother throttle control meant less of that on-off feeling when creeping forward but I personally was okay with setting 3 which is where I’ve been keeping it since I finished all my testing.
At highway speeds, I tested Level 6, which sharpened response just enough to make merging and passing feel a bit more immediate even in 6th gear. It wasn’t aggressive, but it gave the Tacoma a slight edge when picking up speed, without making it feel like I had to recalibrate my footwork. Again this is a setting I don’t think I’d permanently keep since I tend to focus on long-term fuel efficiency rather than passing everyone in front of me. Your mileage literally may vary.
While the EVCX has much more aggressive settings available, I found that the moderate adjustments made the biggest difference in everyday driving. The ability to fine-tune throttle sensitivity in small, incremental steps using the app made it easy to find a setting that slightly better responsiveness without making the truck feel twitchy or unnatural. It’s the kind of change you notice over time, rather than an instant, dramatic shift—but that’s exactly what I was looking for because I am already more or less satisfied with how my truck drives to begin with.
Dialing It In: Modes for Every Situation
One of the things that’s pretty cool about the evcX is its versatility. With ten modes to choose from, I’ve been able to customize my Tacoma’s throttle response for every situation:
- Ultimate Mode is my go-to for city driving and highway runs. Levels 5-8 provide just the right amount of pep, but I personally have found that a setting of 3 is perfect for my driving style.
- Launch Mode: This mode is perfect for quick takeoffs. It’s fun to use occasionally, but it’s not practical for stop-and-go traffic and is also not fuel-efficient.
- Eco Mode: Great for long highway drives when I want to maximize fuel efficiency. It dampens throttle sensitivity, making it easier to maintain a steady speed, it’s almost an imperceptible change from the stock throttle configuration.
- Adapt Mode: This mode adjusts throttle response dynamically based on how hard you press the pedal. It’s perfect for mixed driving conditions.
- Valet Mode: Limits acceleration, making it a great security feature when handing over the keys. While I don’t typically use valet service, it does also come in handy
- Lock/Unlock Modes: These modes go a step further, allowing you to disable the throttle entirely for added security.
On a recent road trip, I tested Eco Mode over a 1,000-kilometer stretch and saw noticeable fuel savings compared to stock settings. Meanwhile, Anti-Slip Mode has proven invaluable on loose gravel roads, providing better control without spinning the tires.
You can pick each of these modes without downloading the app by pressing the left or right silver buttons on the unit itself. However, if you’re into a more visual experience when using the evcX, you can download their app to your phone and then you’ll have tons of options as well as a nice visual representation of what your truck is capable of doing as well as what it’s actively doing in terms of its current throttle settings.
The Human Touch: Why It Matters
One of my favorite things about the EVCX is how it makes the Tacoma feel more personal. With the factory settings, the truck’s throttle response felt generic, designed to appeal to a wide range of drivers. The EVCX changes that, giving me control over how the truck behaves in different situations. I used to think throttle controllers were trying to aim for a more specific performance goal but I think what’s really going on here is that throttle controllers are more about customization rather than outright alteration.
For instance, one of my minor annoyances pre-evcX install was how much throttle I needed to get into the next gear on long hills at low speeds – this is just something that my version of the Tacoma with its slightly different gearing struggles with. I do a lot of driving up steep hills at low speed so having a bit of extra throttle response is great for keeping the truck from stalling through the brief deceleration phase. Now, with the EVCX, the required pedal pressure is significantly reduced, and the RPMs peak faster, making gear changes smoother and more satisfying and everything keeps on rolling. To date, I haven’t had any weird or unexpected changes in my truck’s behavior other than that which I have put directly into the throttle controller.
It’s worth noting that the throttle controller will stay in the mode that you last left it in – so when you turn the module off the throttle will stay the way it is until you power up your truck, and your evcX unit and change the settings from the app. It’s a good idea to keep it handy or on your person if you expect to be using it a lot. However, if all else fails, you can simply disconnect the throttle controller, and reconnect the throttle the way it was before and things will instantly go back to normal.
Final Thoughts
The Ultimate9 EVCX Throttle Controller has exceeded my expectations in every way – especially since I had a somewhat dismissive view of them before I tried one out. It’s easy to install and use and dramatically improves the driving experience without risking any permanent damage or modification to your vehicle. Whether I’m navigating city streets, cruising down the highway, or claiming the wet and muddy hills of Oregon, EVCX lets me fine-tune Tacoma’s throttle response to match my needs without any complicated equipment. If you’re a fellow Tacoma owner—or really, anyone who feels their vehicle could use a bit more responsiveness—this little device might just be what you’re looking for to get that extra bit of customization out of it.
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