What are the Top 10 RC Cars for 2019?
There are hundreds of radio control cars so, who makes the best RC cars? What is the most powerful RC? And, who sits at the very top of the dirt pile with the year coming to an end? We dive deep to discover the top radio control, cars, trucks, buggies, truggies, crawlers, whatever your passion is, starting with the number 10 spot and likely getting bigger and faster as we travel up the top ten RC cars of 2019.
#10 - Associated NanoSport
In 1/32nd scale glory, the Team Associated NanoSport starts off our list with a unique RC experience by incorporating a hockey-style game into the purpose behind the NanoSport. You don't have to buy anything else to play because the NanoSport package includes two RTR cars, two transmitters, and of course, a game puck so you can have a two-person battle right out of the box. Its 1/32 scale means you can play about anywhere. The NanoSport by Associated is about $99*, requires no additional items.
Details
Power Type: Electric
How fast does the Team Associated NanoSport go? Around 5mph
#9 - Kyosho Fazer MK2
It's a four-wheel-drive 1/10 scale and the only on-road car to make our list. It's the Fazer Mk2 from Kyosho. This simple and easy-to-use platform offers various pre-painted scale bodies for fantastic scale realism, all planted atop the Fazer Mk2 chassis. This popular kit provides a simple and low-maintenance experience for the beginner while also being upgradable. The brushed electronics will reach a top speed of around 25 miles an hour on a 2-cell LiPo. The Fazer Mk2 costs about $229* and requires one battery pack.
Details:
Scale: 1/10Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Kyosho Fazer MK2 go? Around 25mph
#8 - Element RC Enduro 4x4
It may be one of the newest trucks to hit the trails, but we wouldn't call it late to the party. It's the Element RC Enduro. This 1/10 scale trail truck offers a simple and effective chassis to provide maximum crawling performance with a healthy dose of scale realism. The truck can be customized to your taste with bodies, tires, wheels, bumpers, and nearly any accessory you can imagine. You can pick up the Enduro RTR in two different body styles for about $359.*requires one battery.
Details:
Scale: 1/10Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Enduro Sendero HD go? Around 12mph
Shop Element RC Enduro Sendero HD
#7 - Arrma Outcast 4S BLX
Appropriately named the stunt truck, the Outcast 4S BLX is as comfortable flying through the air as wheeling down the road. Junior to the bigger, heavier, and more expensive outcast 6S BLX the 4S version delivers a speed rating of up to 50 miles an hour, but good luck keeping the front tires down. If you're looking to achieve some serious speed, you might want to look elsewhere. The Outcast 4S BLX is meant to flip off curbs, wheely down the yellow brick road, and hit the hip at your local skate park. Price is $399* plus one battery pack is required.
Details:
Scale: 1/10Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Arrma Outcast 4S BLX go? Around 50+mph
#6 - Axial SCX10 II
In the trail truck category, no one has been as influential as the Axial SCX10 platform. As one of the first trucks on the scene, it quickly became adopted as the standard that all other trail trucks would be judged by. In its current SCX10 II iteration, the refined platform offers exceptional crawling performance matched by a vast parts selection that caters to those looking towards the ultimate in scale realism or maybe the top-performing truck and then everything in between. RTR SCX10 trucks start at $329* and do require a battery pack.
Details:
Scale: 1/10Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Axial SCX10 II go? Around 10mph
#5 - Kyosho MP9 TKI4 ReadySet
In the number five spot, the MP9 ReadySet from Kyosho. It is a 1/8 scale buggy powered by a point 21 nitro engine. The MP9 might be our only nitro to make our list, but don't let that fool you; nitro RC is an utterly unique and exciting experience but one that often comes with lots of maintenance. The MP9 ReadySet, on the other hand, comes included with one of the easiest nitro engines to keep running, fitted inside one of the easiest 1/8 scale buggies to drive, as well as work on and upgrade. The MP9 ReadySet is $499* plus, requiring nitro fuel, AA batteries, and miscellaneous nitro tools.
Details:
Scale: 1/8Power Type: Nitro - Requires fuel & AA batteries.
How fast does the Kyosho MP9 TKI4 go? Around 45mph
#4 - Losi Super Rock Rey
It's big, heavy, uses brushless electronics, and is powered by 8s LiPo power; it's the one and only Losi Super Rock Rey! This 27" long 20lb rock buggy leaves no detail unturned and features a solid rear axle, realistic rear trailing arm set up, front independent suspension, full-body cage, and scale interior. Pushing both performance and scale realism to the limits with a 50 mile an hour top speed rating, the Super Rock Rey is meant to do more than just look pretty. And do, it does with enough space to go full send the Super Rock Rey from Losi does not disappoint. Pricing on the Super Rock Rey is $799* and requires two battery packs.
Details:
Scale: 1/6Power Type: Electric - Requires two battery packs.
How fast does the Super Rock Rey go? Around 50mph
#3 - Arrma Infraction 6S BLX
If you're feeling the need for speed, the Arrma Infraction in our number three spot may have your remedy. This purpose-built RC sits low to the ground with a stretched missile-like chassis design. A high downforce body, front air splitter, rear diffuser, and underside chassis air dam, aid in high-speed stability for when the Infraction reaches its 80 mile an hour speed rating. But the Infraction is not limited to the pavement. Its 4x4 drivetrain can be run on gravel, smooth dirt, or short grass. It is a seriously powerful platform that delivers, and if you are lucky enough to find one, the Infraction will cost you about $649* plus a battery pack.
Details:
Scale: 1/7Power Type: Electric - Requires two battery packs.
How fast does the Arrma Infraction go? Around 80mph
#2 - Traxxas UDR 4x4
In one of the best RC scale recreations available, the Traxxas Ultimate Desert Racer captures true-scale realism with the look and feel of a real desert truck and combines it with 6S LiPo power and a 50 mph speed rating. The UDR is engineered on an authentic four-wheel-drive desert truck chassis with a solid rear axle and huge suspension travel coming from eight shock absorbers. Not only does this truck perform and behave like a real trophy truck, but it is an absolute joy to drive. You could say that the UDR is a truck every RC enthusiast should have on their buck list. It costs about $729* and requires two battery packs.
Details:
Scale: 1/7Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Traxxas UDR go? Around 50mph
Shop Traxxas Ultimate Desert Racer
And the #1 RC vehicle for 2019 is...
Arrma Kraton 6S BLX
There comes a time for every RC'r where you just want to charge a battery and drive. When you've set aside your other RC projects, and you just need to turn off your brain and squeeze a handful. The Arrma Kraton 6S BLX will answer this call and then some. It may not look pretty, it may have no scale realism, and it may not have any special features, but the Kraton 6S BLX does one thing really, really well, and that is it does not care, the truck doesn't care about uneven terrain, or rocks in the way, it doesn't care if you drive through whoops, ruts, holes or sandpits. The truck doesn't care if you drive in grass, mud, or pavement. The Kraton 6S BLX has an appetite for conquering everything in its path, with the durability to achieve it. You can crash, flip, or tumble, and the Kraton will bounce back from most abuse you can throw at it. The low and wide stance on the Kraton coupled with big tires, big shocks, and a 60 mile an hour speed rating prepare the Kraton for intense performance on flat ground, uneven ground, or big air. If there were one ultimate high-performance multi-terrain RC vehicle for any need or purpose, the Arrma Kraton would be it. It can do just about anything, go just about anywhere, and you can pick up the Kraton 6S BLX for about $569* plus a battery pack.
Details:
Scale: 1/8Power Type: Electric - Requires a battery pack.
How fast does the Arrma Kraton 6S go? Around 60mph
*Prices subject to change without notice - last updated June 3, 2021
Note: Speed ratings are for informational purposes only. Actual speeds may vary due to condition, terrain, battery type, and driving style.