The Best Cars to Get You Into the RC Hobby

Are you eager to purchase your first remote-controlled vehicle? You are not to blame!

Continuing a blog post, I did a few years ago titled "What makes an RC car 'good'?" which you can view here, I've compiled a list of the top RC cars that we believe are suitable for newcomers to the hobby as of 2022. So get ready—this is where your RC experience starts!

About the author

Aaron Morris | Age 35 (mental age 10)

In 1995, I got my first car, a Tamiya Super Hornet, and soon after, a Blitzer Beetle. It was a modest HSP drift car that rekindled my interest in the sport after I had been away from it for more than 20 years and a brushless short course truck that demonstrated the advancements in RC technology since the days of NiCad and silver cans. Building modern and retro kits is my current obsession; if you have to put it together, I'm all for it! It will be altered even before the first run if you cannot assemble it.

I enjoy vehicles. I would start playing RC with anything hobby-grade you could play with and change. However, this site was created because some cars available in 2022 will catch people's attention. This is not a list of the "top" 10 automobiles or a countdown because everyone has a different perspective on what makes a pastime noteworthy. This is a list of vehicles that are very good at what they do and come with everything you need to get started, leaving you wanting more RC. Don't say we didn't warn you—any of these cars will probably make you crave another one! To explore the fascinating world of RC cars, continue reading to choose which one best fits your needs.

Xinlehong 1/10 Sprint 4WD Truck

For beginners on a budget.

One automobile from the inexpensive manufacturer Xinlehong, sometimes known as XLH, is one that I can't picture anyone at V8engineforsale not enjoying. The fantastic 9125 Sprint comes fully ready to run (RTR) with a battery and USB charger included, except for a few AA batteries for the remote controls.

Up to the stated top speed of 46 km/h, it is smooth, easy to operate, and fun to drive for people of all ages and ability levels. XLH offers the 1/10 Sprint 4x4 ready to go anytime you are, whether you have a remote-controlled vehicle from years ago and want to get back into it, have never had one before and are interested, or even don't know anything about them and want to experience how a current remote-controlled car works.

Pros

Top speed of 46kph
4WD
7.4v LiPo battery
IPX4 waterproof
50% low-speed mode for beginners
There are affordable and readily available replacement spare parts.

Cons

There aren't many upgrade components available.
USB charger (no wall socket for 240 volts)

I have only one criticism of all Xinlehong cars, and that is that they aren't quite Hobby Grade. These automobiles are the best semi-hobby/toy-grade cars ever made. This implies that you are limited to using XLH OEM parts because many electronics and parts are not of an industry-standard size or fitting. The automobiles are more durable than you might imagine, and their parts are affordable, but what if I want to modify or customise them?

HSP 2WD Range (Storm, Crusher, Viper, Mongoose)

The best value actual hobby grade RC.

The outstanding two-wheel drive off-road vehicles from HSP, both the $200-ish brushed versions and the $300-ish high-performance brushless BL variants, are by far the most terrific value, actual Hobby-Grade vehicles. In this YouTube video, I go on a tirade about how great these automobiles are, but they are so affordable that it is worth repeating.

Due to their same chassis, the Mongoose, Viper, Storm, and Crusher all have identical electronics, gearboxes, steering, suspension, and other subsystems. Different wheels and body shells transform the cars into their many forms.

However, this does not imply that they all drive similarly; the Mongoose performs best on gripping hard surfaces. The Crusher bounces its way over anything in a chaotic but fun level of uncontrollability. The Viper excels at gravel, and Storm loves short grass.

The HSP 2WD vehicles are among the greatest value vehicles available. They are straightforward to fix in the event of a severe collision, and their complete Hobby-Grade design makes them easily upgradeable.

Pros

30 km/h top speed or 55 km/h for brushless variants
Strong XL 550 brushed motor or brushless motor in 3652 size
30-minute run time
Full ball bearings
Steel axles and driveshafts
Every standard and optional element is accessible.

Cons

A few drivetrain gears are made of plastic (steel upgrading gears are an optional item)
The plastic gears on the steering servo are upgradeable.

Brushed Cars:

Mongoose Buggy

Viper Stadium Truck

Storm Short Course Truck

Crusher Monster Truck

Brushless Cars:

Mongoose BL

Viper BL

Storm BL

Crusher BL

RGT Adventure 1/16 Crawler

Perfect for indoor exploration.

However, large, open areas are necessary to enjoy large, fast cars. A short-distance truck that travels 80 km/h won't look good in your living room. What will look excellent in a living room, do you know? The Adventure 1/16 scale crawler by HSP/RGT. Despite its small size and poor speed, it can manoeuvre through an obstacle course composed of books, Legos, shoes, and other items in the living room. Perhaps the family dog?

Because it is a low-speed machine, it has a naturally extended runtime and functional lights and indicators, so you will have plenty of chances to complete the obstacle course designed for border collies. It also features indicators and headlights that may be switched remotely! How awesome is that? That ought to be standard on all vehicles.

Pros

It has a fantastic scale appearance with an actual spare tyre!
A gear reduction box is incorporated within the motor to increase torque and minimise operating temperatures.
40-minute run time
Very impressive climbing angles and approach
Headlights with remote control and functional indicators!

Cons

Upgrade parts are scarce.
A Border Collie might consume it.

UDI 1/16 Brushed Drift/Touring cars

Garage drifter and budget racer.

Another automobile on this list is smaller, and it looks great in a garage or a smooth driveway. In their 1/16 size range, UDI has a few identical cars below.

Underneath, a four-wheel drive touring vehicle chassis with stability control and a selection of hard plastic or rubber drift tyres for each model is located. To create your own tiny race event, all you need is your garage, a few traffic cones, five friends, and six distinct body types. On a wet day, these are some of the most significant remote-controlled automobiles to drive with friends.

Pros

Six distinct body designs on a single chassis
LED headlights that can be switched remotely (I'm noticing a trend here)
Stability control that can be adjusted makes drifting simple.
Ball bearings
Included are both drift and grip wheels.
There are spare parts available for replacement.

Cons

Upgrade parts are scarce.
USB charger (no wall socket for 240 volts)

HSP Flying Fish 1/10 Drift Car

For those who love going sideways, tinkering, and tuning.

Every drift enthusiast who longs for a configurable platform will be satisfied with HSP's legendary Flying Fish drift car if you want to get even more involved in sideways driving and modifying geometry and suspension parts.

Because the tyres are nearly completely grip-free and enable sliding on smooth surfaces, all drift cars have long run periods by design. However, the Flying Fish appears unaware of this reality and will continue to wind up to speeds above 30 km/h.

Pros

Metal 4WD drivetrain
Ball bearings
Oil-filled shocks that can be adjusted
Camber and toe adjustments
30+ minute run time
Every standard and optional element is accessible.
It takes around an hour to charge.

Cons

It cannot traverse challenging terrain because of its low ground clearance.

Arrma 1/10 4X2 Boost Mega cars

Tough as brutal can be and grows with your skills.

The second item on our list is the most recent and, in a way, the most unusual release. I'm referring to Arrma's RWD-only "Boost" automobile line. Initially, the Senton, Granite, and Vortex Boost were all their high-speed, 4x4 brothers with 3S and brushless engines.

However, these vehicles are just rear-wheel drive because the front differential and centre shaft have been removed. All of them come with a charger, a brushed motor geared towards beginners, and a NiMH battery. Arrma even includes four AA batteries for the remote, so you practically have everything you need in the package to start going.

Although they aren't as quick as the 3S models, that isn't their intended purpose. As their skills advance, they can eventually be enhanced to become the exact 4x4 3S brushless speed demons that they were intended to be. There is merit to this since improvements are the only thing more enjoyable than driving a car.

Pros

35 kph top speed
It can be gradually improved as drivers' proficiency grows.
Additionally, a four-wheel drive can be added.
7.4-cell NiMH battery with 3300mah and 8.4v
Extremely durable chassis
550 size 12 turn motor
Beginner throttle modes: 50%, 75%, and 100%
Upgrade parts are shared with the 3S automobiles, and replacement spare parts are available.

Cons

USB charger (no wall socket for 240 volts)

HSP 1/8 Planet V2 Brushless 4WD Buggy

1/8 scale racing buggy bargain.

The HSP Planet, a brushless 1/8 4x4 buggy that costs less than $450, merits a spot on this list. Not only is it nice on paper, but it's also good. The Planet's more recent v2 model is surprisingly easy to drive and performs admirably on practically every surface. It excels at significant, sweeping, fast turns on loose, dusty surfaces.

Electronically, it has good figures as well. Considering the budget, the 2399kv brushless motor and 100A Hobbywing ESC become even more impressive. One of the things I dislike most about the Planet is that it only comes with a 2S 7.4v lipo battery. Although the automobile is slow right out of the box, there isn't anything wrong with it. Learning how to corner correctly is fantastic and would be dependable.

However, this chassis—which oddly resembles an older Kyosho Inferno—deserves more power, which can be obtained with an 11.1v 3S battery. Since the bundled electronics and charger are all 3S compatible, it's too excellent to ignore, even though it's slightly over our budget cap.

Pros

1/8 scale strength and stability
Suspension and steering adjustments to truly fine-tune handling characteristics
The motor and ESC are superb.
Steel Gears
There are spare parts available for replacement.
Many aftermarket choices are simple bolt-on upgrades because significant components (such as servos, wheels, and shocks) are fitted according to industry standards.
Every standard and optional element is accessible.

Cons

Low maximum speed with a battery included
lacks wirelessly controllable LED headlights

RGT 1/10 Pioneer Rock Crawler

Hit the rocks and trails, and go anywhere.

The Pioneer is where things get serious, but we've previously discussed another fantastic RGT crawler in the Adventure. The Pioneer boasts an incredible degree of detail for an officially unlicensed car (it falls halfway between the Jeep Cherokee and the Toyota Hilux). A snorkel, an LED roof light bar, tray rails, side mirrors, fender flares, chrome D-shackles on the bumper, and even side-step running boards are all there.

It has remotely-switchable headlights, just like other RGT vehicles. This very competent crawler can get where many others cannot, but it is not a shelf queen. It goes as well as it seems, which is one of those things that isn't very common in the actual world. With its class-leading 15kg steering servo, full-time 4wd, and front-mounted motor, this 1/10 size RC crawler can overcome many obstacles that even you, the driver, will find challenging to navigate.

Pros

Scaled appearances
Waterproof electronics
There are spare parts available for replacement.
robust electronics package
LED lights that can be switched remotely

Cons

Due to its crawler-like low peak speed. No leaps or skids?

Traxxas 1/10 XL-5 2WD Electric Off-Road Cars

The best parts support in the industry.

Last but not least are the Bandit and Rustler, two 2WD brushed XL-5 Traxxas vehicles that just about made the budget. Okay, I'll even allow the Slash to participate. Let's say we had a coupon for 10% off.

Before we discuss all the positive aspects, let's address the drawbacks, which include the provided charger. Only a 12v plug, similar to your automobile's, will power it. This is okay, but you can't operate the engine while charging, so don't worry about charging the battery on the way to your neighbourhood racecourse. Points for that, though, because technically, it is a charger that comes with it, and it does start you going.

However, the reason these automobiles are on our list isn't because of their accessories but rather because of the parts that can be purchased for them. Traxxas spare parts are available at any reasonably competent hobby store. If the OEM parts in your area are sold out, other aftermarket companies exist. You won't be out of commission for long if you need assistance getting your Traxxas back up and running, thanks to RPM, GPM, Yeah Racing, Pro-Line, Power HD, Hobbywing, Louise, and more.

The most recent iterations of these vehicles have LED head and tail lights and a new, reinforced gearbox known as the Magnum 272R. They also maintain excellent handling, durable materials, and impeccable quality control, which have made Traxxas the preferred choice for the first cars of generations of RC enthusiasts.

Pros

Support for industry-leading factory and aftermarket parts
Top speed of 45kph
8.4v, 7-cell, 3000mah NiMH battery
Compatible with two-second lipo (battery and charger available separately)
550 size 12 turn motor
Beginners' 50% throttle mode
LEDs…

Cons

However, they cannot be switched remotely.
The DC charger is not to my taste.

Kyosho 1/10 Fazer Mk2 on-road cars

They are realistic model cars, except they are RC as well.

Each vehicle on this list has a battery and charger to ensure they are fully operational. Even though you'll need to spend an additional $100 to $150 on a battery and charger before you can drive it, there is one car that I just had to mention. This list won't feel complete if I don't suggest any fantastic on-road or drift vehicles built on the gorgeous Fazer MK2 chassis by Kyosho. The drift-supra is the most expensive choice, starting at about $350.

In addition, there are the Mitsubishi Challenger Hellcat, Subaru Impreza, El Camino, Pontiac GTO, Chevelle, Drift Mustang GTR, Camaro, Charger, Renault Alpine, Mercedes AMG, Toyota Tundra, and the incredibly accurate Skyline 2000. With a 2s lipo battery, these cars can quickly reach over 40 km/h faster than their brushed motors would indicate.

Numerous RC clubs, including the Fazer MK2, hold one-make racing classes because they are well-made, drive well, and handle well.

The automobiles look so fantastic that it doesn't matter that you need a separate battery and charger.

Pros

Truly, truly, absurdly attractive
Maximum speed of about 42 km/h
Excellent control, especially in damp conditions
Difficult parts
quite simple to work on and tinker with
Excellent range from the Futaba-based radio system that is included
There are so many different body types.

Cons

You will become irrationally afraid of small stones since they are so beautifully designed and attractive that you won't want to drive them in the first place if they get scratched.