Last updated: 5 July 2026
The short answer has two parts. KuKirin is the new name of the brand Kugoo Kirin - those two are one and the same brand, only the name changed. But "Kugoo" on its own is a separate product line, so "Kugoo" and "KuKirin" aren't necessarily the same product. This store sells KuKirin, formerly Kugoo Kirin.
Key takeaways:
- KuKirin is the former Kugoo Kirin - the same brand, just renamed (2022).
- "Kugoo" on its own is a separate name and product line; it isn't automatically the same as KuKirin.
- So a "Kugoo G2 Max" and a "KuKirin G2 Max" may not be the same product - always compare the model code and specs, not just the name.
- The scooters sold in this store belong to the KuKirin (formerly Kugoo Kirin) line.
- You'll find every model in one KuKirin electric scooter range.
If you're shopping for a new scooter right now and keep running into both names, it's worth understanding where this double naming actually comes from.
Why did the Kugoo name change?
Short answer: the brand got a new name because the original two-word name Kugoo Kirin was shortened to KuKirin. The change happened in 2022, and the likely goal was a name that reads and pronounces more consistently across markets. It's the next chapter in the same company's story, not a change of owner or manufacturer.
The original Kugoo brand dates back to 2015. A separate line focused on smarter models, called Kirin, was later created alongside Kugoo and marketed as "Kugoo Kirin" - and today's KuKirin grew out of that line, which itself dates to around 2018. The name Kirin refers to the East Asian mythical creature qilin, associated with good fortune in China; the shorter KuKirin is derived from it and reads more easily on international markets. This is exactly why Kugoo and KuKirin are related yet separate brands today: KuKirin emerged from the Kirin line that grew up alongside Kugoo.
Where marketing, packaging, and online stores mostly used the name Kugoo Kirin in earlier years, KuKirin has been the primary brand name since 2022. The switch didn't happen everywhere overnight, which is why you might still see the older name on some earlier partner stores, videos, or reviews.
The manufacturer hasn't publicly explained an official reason. Some discussions abroad have linked the rename to trademark issues in the European market - the "Kugoo" name is used as a separate brand in Europe - but there's no confirmed source for this, so it's worth treating as a possible explanation rather than a confirmed one. The main point for buyers is that KuKirin is simply the newer name for Kugoo Kirin: the same brand, the same model line.
Renames like this are fairly common among manufacturers: a company grows, expands into new markets, and wants a brand name that's easier to remember and pronounces consistently across languages. The two-word Kugoo Kirin name may have been clunky in a number of markets - the shorter KuKirin reads and sounds clearer, and fits better with the brand's visual identity, including the logo and packaging design. What matters most for buyers is that the rename didn't come with any substantive shift - no change of ownership, no relocated production, no gap in the model lineup.
What changed and what stayed the same?
Short answer: the brand name and its spelling changed - Kugoo Kirin became KuKirin - but the manufacturer, factories, model lineup, and parts compatibility stayed the same. For buyers, that means the rename is mostly a labeling and marketing matter, not something that affects the product itself, its build, or its quality.
What changed:
- Brand name and spelling. Kugoo Kirin became KuKirin - one word, capital K in both halves (KuKirin), not "Kugoo Kirin" as two words.
- Marketing and the online store. Newer product pages, packaging, and social media carry the KuKirin name and logo.
- International positioning. The new name gave the brand a more consistent image across markets, including Europe.
What stayed the same:
- The manufacturer. The scooters are built by the same company, with its own development and production lines.
- The model line. The G-series models (G2, G2 Pro, G2 Master, G3, G4), for example, are a continuation of the same development path, not a new product line.
- Parts compatibility. Spare parts bought for a model under the old Kugoo Kirin name generally fit the same model sold under the KuKirin name too, since they share the same technical base.
If you put two scooters side by side - one labeled Kugoo Kirin, the other KuKirin - and the model code matches, you're looking at essentially the same product with a name from two different eras.
In practice, this also means the manuals, maintenance advice, and common issues apply the same way regardless of which name is on the model. If you've previously ridden a scooter under the Kugoo Kirin name and are now considering a newer KuKirin model, you don't have to learn anything new - the handling, maintenance routines, and typical wear parts (tires, brake discs, batteries) follow the same logic as on earlier models.
Which name should you trust when buying?
Short answer: neither name is "wrong" on its own - Kugoo Kirin is the older one, KuKirin is the current one. You can trust either, but always check the model code and the seller rather than just the brand spelling on the box, since those are what actually confirm you're getting the right product.
KuKirin is the most common name on the market right now, and most newer product descriptions, boxes, and web pages use it. That said, older stock, third-party listings, or older reviews may still carry the former name Kugoo Kirin. Neither version on its own signals a counterfeit or a different manufacturer - it's more a sign of when that material was created.
The parallel use of the names is sometimes visible on the products themselves: transition-era models can carry both markings at once, for example "Kugoo" on the stem and "KugooKirin" on the rear swingarm. Photos of exactly such a scooter, along with a side-by-side of the old and new logos of both names, were shared by Reddit user Solid_Worldliness_90 in the r/ElectricScooters community (discussion with photos). An important nuance: the Kugoo name itself hasn't disappeared - it lives on as a separate product line alongside KuKirin. That means the market can carry similarly named models from different lines - a Kugoo G2 Max and a KuKirin G2 Max are not necessarily the same product. The models sold in this store belong to the KuKirin (formerly Kugoo Kirin) line. When in doubt, always compare the model code and the technical specifications, not just the name.
For peace of mind when buying, it's worth checking three things:
- The model code. G2, G2 Pro, G2 Master, G3, G4, S1 Max, A1, and other codes stay the same regardless of the rename - they're the most reliable way to identify which model you're looking at.
- The seller. Buy from an official reseller or store, not from an unknown source where the product's origin is unclear.
- The specs. Compare the stated battery capacity, motor power, and other specs against the product page, not just the brand name on the packaging.
If those three things check out, it doesn't matter whether the box says Kugoo Kirin or KuKirin - you're getting the same product.
It's also worth remembering that the rename itself says nothing about price or quality. A product carrying the older name isn't automatically cheaper, and one with the newer name isn't automatically pricier - price and features still come down to the specific model, not which brand name happens to be on the box. When a store listing mentions both names together (for example, "KuKirin, formerly Kugoo"), that's usually there for clarity, not a sign of a questionable source.
Kugoo or KuKirin - which model should you choose?
Short answer: "Kugoo or KuKirin" isn't really a brand decision - it's a model decision. Since it's the same manufacturer, it's worth focusing on the differences between specific models (say, G2 vs. G4) rather than the name. Range, motor power, and intended use matter far more than which name happens to be printed on it.
Since Kugoo and KuKirin represent two eras of the same brand, comparing models by name makes little sense - comparing them by purpose does. A scooter suited to daily city commuting differs from one built for longer range or higher motor power, and those differences come from the models themselves, not the brand name.
If you're still finding your way around the KuKirin model range, it's worth looking at specific models, such as the KuKirin G2 for city riding or the KuKirin G4 for longer distances, and comparing them by battery capacity, motor power, and weight. A closer model-by-model comparison (for example G2 vs. G2 Pro vs. G2 Master) deserves its own post, which we'll cover in more depth later - for now, start with the full KuKirin scooter range and narrow it down based on how you'll actually ride.
A practical approach is to think through your usual riding needs first: how many kilometers you cover a day, whether your route is mostly flat city terrain or includes hills, and whether you'll need to carry the scooter up and down stairs often. The answers determine whether you're after a lighter, more compact model or one with a bigger battery and stronger motor. Since the model lineup itself hasn't been affected by the rename, you can apply these criteria exactly the same way, regardless of whether a given model is listed under the name Kugoo Kirin or KuKirin.
Frequently asked questions
Is the former Kugoo name still used anywhere, or has it disappeared completely?
The name Kugoo Kirin is no longer actively used in marketing - the current brand name is KuKirin. Older products, documents, and some third-party pages may still show the former Kugoo name, but it refers to the same company.
Does the Kugoo rename mean there's a new owner or manufacturer?
No. The rename affected the brand name and spelling, not the owner or manufacturer. The former Kugoo (Kugoo Kirin) and today's KuKirin are two names for the same company.
Are KuKirin products, formerly Kugoo, technically the same as before?
Yes. The model line and technical base carry on unchanged. Model codes (such as G2, G3, G4) represent the same development line, so parts compatibility generally holds too.
Kugoo or KuKirin - which name is correct on the product packaging?
Newer products mostly carry the KuKirin name, though older stock may still show Kugoo Kirin. For certainty, check the model code and compare it against the product page description rather than relying on the brand name on the box alone.
Where can you see which KuKirin models are currently for sale?
All currently available models, including the G2, G2 Pro, G2 Master, G3, G4, S1 Max, and A1, are gathered in the electric scooter range.
Does the rename affect the warranty or servicing of a previously purchased Kugoo Kirin scooter?
The brand rename itself has no bearing on the warranty terms of individual purchases - those are set by the specific purchase agreement and seller, not the brand name on the box. For specific warranty or servicing questions, the surest route is to contact the reseller you bought the scooter from.
Now that the naming confusion is cleared up, it's worth moving on to the specific models. See all Kugoo / KuKirin scooters →
