8 Best 4WD RC Cars and Trucks

1. Mini 4WD RC HBX Wildrider Off-Roader | Best Budget

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Best Budget pick goes to a mini 4WD Truggy called the Wildrider. It lives up to its name too. This little RC model is tough, powerful, and a lot of fun to use at any age.

• Best feature 1: Solid aluminum frame
• Best feature 2: Robust construction
• Plus points: Dual speeds, independent suspension, waterproof electronics, high-grip tires
• Minus points: Charging hassles, longish charging time

RC 4WD HBX Wildrider Highlights

Novice users should find the throttle and steering controls responsive and stress-free. It’s advisable for raw beginners to start on the SLOW mode before moving up to the FAST setting. The Mini 4WD RC HBX Wildrider off-roader is a well-built hobby-grade model and a step-up from toy cars. It uses quality materials and parts like flexible plastic, solid aluminum frame, and independent suspension.

There is a total of 15 ball bearings used in the build to improve the drivetrain and metal diff gears. This truggy has waterproof electronics so that users can play outdoors with confidence. High-grip off-road tires grab the surface incredibly well and keep the car upright across uneven terrains. The super-bright LED headlights add to the fun allowing RC’ers race in low light and dark conditions.

The running time for the HBX Wildrider is on the high side of average at 20 minutes. The control range is 250 ft. (76 meters) which is more than enough for a small 1/24 scale model. Low battery warning and overheat protection also add to the appeal of this exceptional little truggy.

The Not So Good

Charging the batteries is a hassle because there’s no built-in port. That means you must remove them from the car. That’s a job for parents of smaller kids. It’s not difficult, but it is a hassle after just 20 minutes of playing time.

2. Everest Gen7 Pro 4WD RC Rock Crawler | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Everest Gen7 Pro 4WD RC Rock Crawler by Redcat Racing makes the Top Pick. It’s a Ready to Run (RTR) large 1/10 scale off-road model powered by a 550 brushed motor.

• Best feature 1: 550 brushed motor
• Best feature 2: Licensed Interco Super Swamper Tires
• Plus points: Easy access, steel parts, molded protection, LED mounts, roof rack,
• Minus points: Parts may be hard to come by

Everest Gen7 Pro Highlights

There are a few awesome vids that show Redcat Racing’s Everest Gen7 Pro driving over rough terrain. It’s a hobby-grade rock crawler with a highly customizable platform too. It has a steel ladder frame, a steel electronics bridge, and a low-slung battery tray. There’s also a molded roll cage, molded snorkel, inner fenders, and shackle mount bumpers. These are features usually found on much costlier models.

Driving the Everest Gen7 Pro is a blast. Owners of this truck love its hinged body tilt. It gives hobbyists instant access to the battery compartment, chassis, and ESC. That makes minor maintenance possible without stripping the truck down. On the accessories front we have LED mounts and a roof rack packed with scale extras. They include a sand ladder, shovel, ax, fuel cans, a jack, and a spare tire.

Running time is an impressive 45 minutes when trailing with the stock battery. That goes down to around 35 minutes with rock crawling.

The Not So Good

There are reports that certain parts can be hard to come by (at the time of writing). It’s a robust model and stands up well to impact, but no RC truck is invincible. Check for parts availability if you decide to go for this otherwise superb 4WD rock crawler.

3. Traxxas Unlimited 4X4 1/7 Desert Racer | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Traxxas is a name synonymous with high-quality hobby-grade radio-controlled models. It should be no surprise that its Unlimited 4X4 Desert Racer makes our Top Pick RC4WD. There’s a lot of careful attention paid to the details that we’ll look at shortly.

• Best feature 1: Realistic truck dynamics
• Best feature 2: Incredible body detailing
• Plus points: Fast, easy to drive, bolt-on body, metal parts, twin GTR shocks, functional spares
• Minus points: Bolt-on body, not sand-ready, price

Traxxas Unlimited 4X4 Desert Racer Highlights

It’s fast, sophisticated, and it looks menacing, but don’t let any of that put you off. The Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer is an incredible performer on and off-road. The beauty of this large-scale model is that it provides a realistic driving experience. Not all models can achieve that. Some of the realistic truck dynamics include 4-link rear suspension, solid rear axle, and cantilever sway bars.

Braving the Beast

The beast also boasts an ultra-tough drivetrain to channel its extreme power. That makes it fun to drive and easy to control for advanced beginners and above. Battery options are flexible and provide plenty of oomph. Foam blocks keep the cells securely in their place. It’s possible to use a single hefty 4S or opt for a twin battery configuration.

This model has a Lexan RC body bolted firmly on to the tubular chassis using 12 2mm hex screws. The reason for this is to provide additional strength, and it works. However, there’s a downside to this approach (see below). The Traxxas Unlimited takes on a whole new appearance without its body attached, yet still looks awesome. Some racers even prefer the tubular roll cage on display.

Long-travel (8cm) GTR shocks give the truck remarkable body control. The suspension is quite soft, and that’s deliberate. It lets RC drivers achieve those incredible high jumps with passion and confidence. And finally, there’s the fantastic body detail and functional spares. They include fire extinguishers and damper reservoirs, a wheel bar, jack, jerry cans, wheels, driveshaft, and tools.

The Not So Good

We’ve looked at the benefits of the bolt-on body, but not everyone appreciates it. The downside is that it takes time to remove and that’s a hassle. It’s still possible to access some crucial areas with the body attached, though. The battery and parts of the motor are reachable from the underside. Another disadvantage is that a desert racer it should be ‘desert ready.’ It’s not!

Running the Traxxas Unlimited 4X4 Desert Racer on sand needs modifications to the wheels and tires. They’re simple adaptions, but it’s odd for a desert truck not to come desert-ready. The final gripe is the price. Most fans agree that it’s an excellent value hobby-grade model. Even so, its price tag puts it out of reach for many keen hobbyists, especially as it doesn’t include a battery or charger.

4. SGILE RC Off-Road 4WD Kid’s Racing Buggy

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Meet the cute SGILE remote control off-road RC racing buggy for kids. This affordable toy makes an excellent first-time 4WD truck for younger enthusiasts.

• Best feature 1: Eye-catching wild graffiti design
• Best feature 2: 4WD Independent Suspension System
• Plus points: Easy to handle, dual motors for added torque, multi-terrain capable, grip tires
• Minus points: Slow, long charging time

SGILE 4WD Kid’s Racing Buggy Highlights

The first thing young’un’s notice about SGILE’s 4×4 truck is its eye-catching, wild graffiti design. There’s even a racing driver figure behind the wheel that adds to its appeal. Rubber grip tires maintain decent traction which makes the model easier for kids to handle. And dual front and rear motors give the car an extra push for those off-road adventures.

This buggy runs quite well over uneven surfaces for a toy-grade car. They include areas like dry dirt, pea gravel, dry grass, and short pile carpet. The range is around 66 ft. (20 M) which is plenty for a toy. The playing time is also quite decent at between 15–20 minutes on a full charge.

The Not So Good

This car is slow and moves at an average walking pace. That’s good news for parents as it means the kids won’t go scurrying after a fast runaway model. Older kids may soon get bored with the slow speed, though. The other con is the crazy 4–5 hour charging time. Extra batteries are essential.

5. Remokids All-Terrain 4WD RC Kid’s Off-Roader

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Remokids all-terrain 4WD multi-terrain truck is a favorite car for teens. It has an attractive beefy design that appeals to those who love off-road adventures.

• Best feature 1: S-Truck suspension technology
• Best feature 2: Front & rear protective bumpers
• Plus points: Easy to drive, agile, decent range, rubber-like tires, bonus battery, USB charging
• Minus points: Too fast for size, average playing time

Remokids All Terrain Off-Roader Highlights

This model is an impressive off-road performer thanks in part to its S-Truck suspension. It’s also quite durable despite the small size. RC drivers can get this puppy to flip, turn, and drift like the bigger models—with a little practice. It’s quick too, perhaps too fast for the under 8s. The crash-resistant structure brushes off those fated knocks and collisions that are typical of off-road exploits.

Realistic-looking rubber tires do a fantastic job of gripping across various terrains. This car moves well over sand, grass, dry dirt, gravel, and even snow. The control range is a decent 262 ft. (80 M). It’s an ideal truck for RC enthusiasts over 14 years or younger with some experience of speed (see below).

The Not So Good

Speed is one of the attractions with any 4WD RC, but there are limits. This little off-road truck is only a 1/20 scale model, yet it can reach a top speed of 30–40 mph. That’s fine for older skilled drivers, but it’s too fast for younger, less experienced RC’ers. The battery lasts for 9 minutes or less on a full charge which is disappointing, yet average for a model in its class.

6. Redcat Racing 4WD RC Volcano EPX Truck

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

This is another quality off-roader by Redcat Racing. It’s the 4WD RC Volcano EPX; a powerful hobby-grade 4WD 1/10 scale RC truck. It boasts fully-adjustable suspension and waterproof electronics.

• Best feature 1: Ready to Run (RTR) out of the box 4WD
• Best feature 2: fully-adjustable suspension
• Plus points: Aggressive tread tires, waterproof electronics, fast, lightweight chassis
• Minus points: Average running time, long charging time

Redcat Racing 4WD Volcano EPX Highlights

Redcat Racing’s Volcano EPX is a superb choice for anyone entering the serious side of monster trucks. It’s a ready-to-run (RTR) model that new owners can drive right out of the box. A powerful brushless motor, 60A ESC, and a 7.2v 2000mAh NiMH battery lets users push this beast to its limits. The soft compound tires have an aggressive tread and traction that grips to anything in its wake.

The truck is fast but not too fast to handle off-road. The balance of speed, handling, and performance is perfect for advanced-beginners to hone in their skills. Its lightweight plastic lower chassis plate is a good or bad thing depending on driving styles. There are lots of ways to upgrade if you want to replace various parts. Some examples are a carbon fiber chassis, aluminum shocks, hub carriers, and rims.

The Not So Good

The Volcano EPX comes with a battery and charger (not all bobby-grade trucks do). That’s the good news. The stock 7.2v 2000mAh NiMH gives around 10+ minutes of running time on a full charge. That in itself is disappointing, but the long 5 hour charging is even more of a letdown. This is not a monster truck you want to stop driving, so more batteries are a must-have extra purchase.

7. Traxxas Slash RC 4WD Short Course Truck

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The sleek looking Traxxas Slash RC 4WD has a definite place on this list. It’s a superb hobby-grade short course truck with a lot to offer. But can it live up to its high price tag?

• Best feature 1: 100% fully assembled RTR (ready-to-race)
• Best feature 2: Licensed logos and graphics (painted and decaled body)
• Plus points: Simple controls, brushless power, triangulated chassis, incredible top speeds
• Minus points: Price, battery and charger not included, wheel paint easily scratches

Traxxas Slash RC 4WD Highlights

This mechanical beast arrives 100% fully assembled. Consider the Traxxas Slash 4WD if you want a ready-to-race (RTR) hobby-grade short course truck. The model sports eye-catching licensed logos and graphics on immaculate paintwork, decaled body. Its controls are simple and offer a 1-button setup. There are three programmable driving options, including a training mode for new users.

Another significant highlight is the truck’s powerful, maintenance-free Velineon 3500 brushless motor. Others are the watertight electronics and Velineon VXL-3s Electronic Speed Control (ESC). The speed potential of this truck is off the charts, reaching 60 mph with the right setup. It’s durable enough to withstand high-speed crashes and recover from flying jumps as few trucks can.

The Not So Good

Not all who love this truck can justify its high price tag. New owners also need to buy a battery and charger of their choice before it arrives. Most folks want more than one battery which adds further to the cost. A less significant gripe is that the paintwork comes off too easily on the wheel rims. Others would argue that more scratches add to the truck’s rugged appeal.

8. Losi DBXL-E 1/5 Scale 4WD RC Desert Buggy

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The Losi DBXL-E 4WD Desert Buggy is a 1/5 scale RC model with unique appeal. It’s a brilliant choice for those who are ready for the adrenaline-pumping BIG league. Are you?

• Best feature 1: Large 1/5 scale size
• Best feature 2: Incredible high speeds
• Plus points: Powerful 800Kv engine, flip-top cage, LED light bar, waterproof electronics
• Minus points: High price tag, battery & charger sold separately

Losi DBXL-E 4WD Desert Buggy Highlights

Losi’s DBXL-E 4WD Desert Buggy has the performance characteristics of gas counterparts. But it’s not nitro, it’s electric, and that means its cleaner and much easier to use and maintain. It’s an aggressive racer that comes with a powerful 800Kv motor. This desert buggy can reach speeds of over 50 mph (80 km/h) with the right battery and gear upgrades.

The flip-top cage gives ultimate protection and easy access to the batteries. Waterproofed electronics protect the receiver, servo, and ESC from the wet outdoors. That means the DBXL-E can drive up and over whatever and wherever the user takes it, tearing up terrain as it goes. Other highlights are the MAXXIS Creepy Crawler tires, LED light bar, chassis brace plate, and much more besides.

The Not So Good

This is the most expensive 4WD RC model on the page. It does offer excellent value, but the cost is sure to be too much for some hobbyists. The batteries and charger are also extra costs. That’s typical for hobby-grade RC cars and trucks but no less annoying.