1/20/2023
Updated: 1/30/2023
| By: RC Soldier
Fast RC Cars | A Top 10 Guide with Reviews and Best Prices
We’ve decided to compile a list of the fastest RC cars on the market, that are actually worth the money. We continuously run across lists that just don’t stack up when you consider getting the most bang for your buck in terms of speed and quality, and we figured we’d rectify that.
This write-up will give you a breakdown of some of the fastest RC cars on the market, along with the best prices, and why they belong on this list. The fast RC cars we’ll list here are geared for people looking to enter the world of performance RC cars, and potentially get into competitive racing.
If competitive racing is your goal, keep in mind the scale of the RC car that you choose. There is a gap in popularity between the scales and types of cars, so you’ll want to search for a track in your area, give them a call, and ask what types of races they facilitate.
The usual popularity in terms of RC car scale is in the following order:
- 1/10 Scale
- 1/8 Scale
- 1/5 Scale
Not only will we give you a list of fast, RTR (ready to run or race) rc cars to check out, we’ll also explain the pros and cons of each model.
Keep in mind that many high quality fast RC car models only come as incomplete kits. So, we’ve done a lot of the homework for you if you’re looking for a fast RC car that’s ready to burn some rubber out of the box.
We also try to only suggest fast RC cars that have good aftermarket support.
When you’re going 40+ MPH, things will break. It’s inevitable! So good availability for aftermarket parts is a must.
We ordered this list of fast RC cars in a way that we think reflects the best cost value in relation to enjoyability and quality. That means race-readiness (RTR), ease of setup, and popularity of genre. More popularity means more races to compete in!
Here’s our updated list of the fastest RC cars currently available at the lowest price.
Top 10 Fast RC Cars
- Traxxas XO-1 1/7 RTR (Electric Street) 100+MPH - $749.95
- ARRMA Vendetta AWD All-Road Speed Bash 1/8 RTR (Electric Street) 70+ MPH - $369.99
- ARRMA Typhon 6s V5 Buggy RTR (Electric Off-road) 70+ MPH - $499.99
- Team Associated Rival MT8 RTR - 4x4 (Electric) 40+ MPH - $509.99
- Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL RTR (Electric) 60+ MPH - $469.52
- Team Losi RC Truggy 8IGHT-T 4x4 RTR (Gas) 42+ MPH - $519.99
- Team Losi RC Truck 1/18 Mini-T 2.0 RTR (Electric) 15-40+ MPH - $229.99
- Team Associated Reflex Buggy 4x4 RTR (Electric) 30+ MPH - $199.99 (32% Off Sale)
- Team Losi DBXL-E 2.0 4WD Desert Buggy 1/5 RTR (Electric) 50+ MPH - $1,199.99
- Traxxas Bandit Buggy 1/10 2WD RTR (Electric Off-road) 70MPH - $329.95
#1 | Traxxas XO-1 Street RTR RC Car 1/7 (Electric) 100+ MPH
Price: $749.95 RTR out of the box, just needs a battery and charger!
Yes, you read that right. The Traxxas XO-1 is able to break 100MPH in roughly 4.92 seconds, and can hit 60MPH in 2.3 seconds. This RC car is the fastest on the market right now, which is why it made #1 on our list of fast RC cars.
If there’s a street track for competitive racing in your area that supports 1/7 scale RC cars, the Traxxas XO-1 will make you an elite participant right out of the box.
The XO-1 is intended for experienced RC car drivers and racers. It requires you to install the Traxxas Link App on your Android or IOS device in order to utilize the maximum speed threshold and reach 100MPH.
If you’re looking to get into RC car street racing, or just want to have the most badass RC car on the block, this is the obvious choice for you.
Traxxas XO-1 | Features
- Stable Aerodynamics. This Car was built with state of the art equipment to maximize its ability to cut through the air.
- 100+mph Top Speed: The Traxxas XO-1 is a brutally fast hypercar intended for only the most experienced drivers.
- 6061 Aluminum Chassis Core: Constructed of lightweight 6061 aluminum. Less weight equals more speed.
- High tech NACA duct supplies cool air to the motor with a rear vent in the body to evacuate heat for peak efficiency.
- Extruded Aluminum Driveshaft: XO-1’s extruded center driveshaft is lightweight and incredibly strong.
- Mamba Monster Extreme Speed Control: State of the art ESC for big volt power delivery.
- Traxxas Big Block Brushless Motor: Weighing nearly two pounds, the Traxxas Big Block motor is the largest brushless motor ever fitted in a Traxxas model.
Traxxas XO-1 | Required Purchases to Complete
- (2) Traxxas iD® Power Cell LiPo batteries (LiPo, 3-Cell 5,000 mAh)
- Traxxas iD® LiPo Battery Charger
- (4) “AA” batteries (for the transmitter)
#2 | ARRMA Vendetta AWD 3S BLX 1/8 (Electric) 70+ MPH
Price: $369.99 RTR out of the box, just needs a battery and charger!
This may just be the best RTR RC car when considering price and speed. At just under $370, that’s a stellar deal for a car that’s going to take you over the 70MPH threshold.
Not only is this RC car ridiculously fast out of the box, it comes with all the great aftermarket support we’ve come to know and respect from ARRMA cars. Whether you’re looking for performance upgrades or technical support, ARRMA has you covered.
From the strong composite chassis to the performance tuned electronics, this car really is the full package if you’re interested in jumping straight into 1/8 scale RC car street racing and have a limited budget.
1/8 scale racing is a popular niche, so there’s likely a track somewhere near you if you’re interested in testing your skills with your new car.
ARRMA Vendetta | Features
- Speedy Spektrum™ Firma™ 3660 3900Kv motor
- Sway bars for excellent control and all-road handling
- Threaded oil-filled shocks (fully adjustable)
- Aerodynamically tuned VENDETTA™ Speed Racer body with high and low downforce wings
Click anywhere on this description to read more before you buy!
ARRMA Vendetta | Required Purchases to Complete
- 2-3S LiPo Battery* with EC5™ or IC5™ connector
- (1) Compatible Battery Charger
- (4) AA Batteries
#3 | ARRMA Typhon 6s V5 Buggy (Electric Off-road) 70+ MPH
Price: $499.99 RTR out of the box, just needs a battery and charger!
Yet another product from ARRMA! Hey, what can we say. They have great cars at great prices.
If you’re into off-road buggy racing, the Typhon 6s is a fast RC car that’s RTR and race-ready out of the box. At 70MPH, and wicked acceleration, this car really shreds the tracks.
Off-road buggy racing is perhaps the most popular niche for fast RC cars, so if you’re mainly interested in entering the world of competitive RC car racing, the Typhon 6s is a great buy at just under $500 bucks and killer aftermarket support.
ARRMA Typhon 6s | Features
- Spektrum™ SLT3™ 2.4GHz 3-Channel Radio
- Spektrum™ SR315 Dual Protocol 3-Channel Receiver
- Spektrum™ S652 Digital Servo
- Spektrum™ Firma™ 150A Smart ESC
- Spektrum™ Firma™ 4074 2050Kv Brushless Motor
- EXB compatible front brace
- Waterproof receiver box
- Anodized lightweight aluminum chassis
- And much, much more!
Click anywhere on this description to read more before you buy!
ARRMA Typhon 6s | Required Purchases to Complete
- 2-3S LiPo Battery* with EC5™ or IC5™ connector
- (1) Compatible Battery Charger
- (4) AA Batteries for transmitter
#4 | Team Associated Rival MT8 1/8 - 4x4 (Electric) 40+ MPH
Price: $509.99 RTR out of the box, just needs a battery and charger!
If you’re looking for some size with your speed, the Rival MT8 from Team Associated is a great choice. Team Associated is known for excellent quality, and offers a wide range of aftermarket parts.
1/8 Scale RC trucks and truggies are a popular category in the race world, and if RC cars are popular in your area, than there’s more than likely a place to race your Rival MT8.
This RC truck is built for speed and toughness. With impact absorbing bumpers on the front and back, along with some pretty cool features such as LED lighting, there’s no shortage of things to like about this truck.
Click anywhere on this description to read more before you buy!
Team Associated Rival MT8 | Features
- Heavy-duty, sealed, fluid-filled gear differentials
- Stiff aluminum chassis supports
- Light-weight aluminum suspension braces
- Four-position adjustable wheelie bar
- LED taillights
- All-metal gear drivetrain and steel turnbuckles
- Durable, impact-absorbing front bumper with LED headlights
- High-torque servo
- Metal servo horn
- 6s or 4s ready 150A electronic speed control
- 2100kv high torque motor
- The list goes on, click anywhere to check the exhaustive list of features.
Team Associated Rival MT8 | Required Purchases to Complete
- 14.8V 4S or 6S battery with T-style connector
- Suitable battery charger
- (4) AA batteries
- FT 1/8 Wheel Nut Wrench
#5 | Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL 1/10 (Electric) 60+ MPH
Price: $469.52 RTR out of the box, just needs a battery and charger!
The Traxxas HOSS is a beast mode truck for the price. When it comes to fast RC cars, this is possibly one of the best buys on our list.
1/10 scale trucks are a popular racing category, so if you’re looking to jump into the competitive world or RC car racing, you’ll have no trouble finding race venues for your HOSS.
According to Traxxas, this truck can break the 60MPH barrier out of the box. The RC truck racing community is huge, and it’s never hard to find a local track if you’re interested in racing. If you practice and put in the hours, this truck definitely has what it takes to dominate the competition.
Traxxas Hoss | Features
- Velineon 540XL Motor
- Reinforced Front & Rear Bumpers
- ProGraphix Body
- Sledgehammer Tires & 2.8” Black Chrome Wheels
- Heavy Duty Composite Arms
- Ultra Shocks
- 5-Channel Receiver with Failsafe
- Waterproof Receiver Box
- Optimum Geometry Steering with Integrated Servo Saver
- Digital High Torque Waterproof Steering Servo
- VXL-3S Electronic Speed Control with Fan
- Innovative Battery Hold Down
Traxxas Hoss | Required Purchases to Complete
- Batteries with Traxxas iD Connector & Compatible Charger
- (4) AA Alkaline batteries for the transmitter
#6 | Team Losi RC Truggy 8IGHT-T 4x4 (Gas) 42+ MPH
Price: $519.99 RTR out of the box, just needs gas and glow igniter!
The Team Losi 8IGHT-T Nitro Truggy is a high-performance remote control car designed for off-road nitro racing. It features a powerful nitro-fueled engine, four-wheel drive, and a durable aluminum and composite chassis.
We included this truggy because in our opinion at just over $500 bucks, it’s by far the best buy if you’re looking to enter the world of competitive Nitro Truggy Racing.
Speed is probably the main factor most people consider when getting into the competitive world of RC cars, but trust us, quality matters just as much. Team Losi is a cornerstone brand in the world of competitive RC racing, and when they offer a fast RC car, you can bet that it’s built to handle the abuse that comes with high speed racing.
Team Losi 8IGHT-T | Features
- Spektrum SLT 3-Channel SLT Radio System
- Spektrum SLR300 Surface Receiver
- Spektrum™ S614 Waterproof Metal Gear Surface Servo, 23T
- 4mm 6061-T6 Aluminum Chassis Plate
- Gen III radio tray for longer servo life
- Dynamite® .28 nitro engine with pull start
- Pre-set suspension geometry
- Metal-gear transmission and sealed differentials
- Center and rear dogbones
- 15mm adjustable oil-filled shocks
Team Losi 8IGHT-T | Required Purchases to Complete
- Nitro fuel
- Glow igniter
#7 | Team Losi RC Truck 1/18 Mini-T 2.0 (Electric) 15-40+ MPH (We'll explain the speed gap, read on!)
Price: $229.99 RTR out of the box, with battery and charger included!
We included this Team Losi because, although it may not be a super fast RC car out of the box, one simple upgrade will have this baby flying. The Mini-T is a scaled down version of the 1/10th scale Team Losi 22T.
Out of the box, this truck will get you around 15-20 MPH. However, upgrade to a modified motor, such as the Dynamite Brushless Motor found here, and you can instantly double your speed to around 35-40 MPH, making the Mini-T a worthy candidate to be included on our list of fast RC cars.
The Team Losi RC Truck 1/18 Mini-T 2.0 is a compact and durable remote control truck designed for indoor and outdoor racing. It features a 2-wheel drive chassis, adjustable suspension, and oil-filled shocks for added durability and stability.
Team Losi RC Truck Mini-T | Features
- Brushless 2-in-1 motor/ESC configuration
- 100% Assembled and ready-to-run
- Dynamite 7.4V 2S 800mAh 50C LiPo Battery
- Full Ball Bearings (less steering)
- Waterproof electronics
- 22 Suspension Geometry
- Excellent aftermarket parts availability
Team Losi RC Truck Mini-T | Required Purchases to Complete
- 100% RTR - Everything included!
#8 | Team Associated Reflex Buggy 4x4 1/14 (Electric) 30+ MPH
Price: $199.99 (32% Off Sale) RTR out of the box, with battery and charger included!
The 1/14 scale Reflex is possibly the best option out there for a beginner level race buggy. It’s a pretty fast RC car for the price, and out of the box this thing is ready to enter a 1/14 scale novice off-road buggy race for sure.
30 MPH is pretty quick. And as we’ve mentioned, Team Associated RC cars can be easily upgraded, so you don’t have to worry about parts availability when something breaks.
You could easily hit the 40MPH+ mark with an upgraded modified motor, all while staying under the $300 mark. That’s just insane because most quality RC cars will run you well over $500, making this a great buy if you’re on a tight budget but still want to race competitively.
Team Associated Reflex Buggy | Features
- 2.4GHz 2-channel radio system
- High-torque digital steering servo with spring-style servo saver
- Powerful Reedy 4500kV Brushless Motor
- Water-resistant high-power Reedy brushless speed control with T-plug connector
- Three sealed differentials
- Adjustable suspension
- Lightweight aluminum steering rack
Team Associated Reflex Buggy | Required Purchases to Complete
- 2S LiPo Battery pack
- Charger
#9 | Team Losi DBXL-E 2.0 4WD Desert Buggy 1/5 RTR (Electric) 50+ MPH
Price: $1,199.99 RTR, battery and charger sold separately.
This 1/5 scale desert buggy is a professional RC car built for speed and durability. The 1/5 scale RC car racing niche has been steadily growing over the years, and for good reason; it’s freakin’ fun!
There’s something truly awesome about fast RC cars at the 1/5 scale. There so big, it really adds a different element to the driving and racing experience.
If you’re looking to get into the 1/5 scale genre, you’ll love this Team Losi. It’s high quality, durable, with all the aftermarket performance parts and support we’ve come to expect from the guys at Team Losi.
Team Losi DBXL-E 2.0 | Features
- Newly added DX3 Transmitter
- Radio Tray compatible with single or dual steering servos
- Electric chassis specific braces for increased durability and strength
- Updated gearboxes for improved drivetrain durability
- Steering rack with helical servo saver design
- Roof-mounted LED bar
Team Losi DBXL-E 2.0 | Required Purchases to Complete
- (2) 3S or (2) 4S 5000mAh+ 50C+ LiPo Batteries with EC5™ or IC5™ connector
- (1) Compatible Battery Charger
- (4) AA batteries for Transmitter
#10 | Traxxas Bandit VXL Buggy 1/10 (Electric) 70MPH
Price: $329.95 RTR, battery and charger sold separately.
This 1/10 scale Traxxas Bandit VXL is crazy fast for only $329.95. 70MPH?? That’s nuts!
So, if you’re into 1/10 scale 2WD buggy racing, this is an awesome buy if you want something that has serious speed out of the box. Not only is it a fast RC car that’s race ready, it’s also a super fun car to drive if you just want a badass RC car. 1/10 scale buggy racing is perhaps the most popular class of racing out there, so you’ll have no problem finding a place to race.
If you’ve never driven a 2WD buggy with this much power, we just want to warn you: this sucker can get squirrely! Not in a bad way, we just want you to be aware that if you’re accustomed to driving a 4WD RC car, you may be surprised at the difficulty level when it comes to handling on the track.
This is a high quality, very fast RC car that’s race ready, so be prepared to get in some practice hours at the track before your first competition.
Traxxas Bandit VXL Buggy | Features
- Magnum 272R transmission
- Aluminum motor plate
- All-metal internal gears
- Powerful Velineon motor
- Traxxas Stability Management (TSM)
- TQi 2.4GHz transmitter and receiver
- Waterproof electronics
- High-torque steering servo
- 100% Fully assembled and Ready-To-Race
Traxxas Bandit VXL Buggy | Required Purchases to Complete
- (1) 6-Cell 3000mAh NiMH Battery pack or (1) 2S 5800mAh LiPo Battery Pack or (1) 3S 5000mAh LiPo Battery with iD connector
- (1) Compatible Charger
- (4) AA Batteries
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