Posted: 2/12/25
A Review of the Best RC Cars of 2024
When compiling a list of the best RC cars of 2024, one thing quickly becomes clear. No matter how much experience you have in the radio control car hobby, and no matter what type of RC cars you enjoy most, in 2024 the hobby gave you more and better choices than ever before.
ARRMA, Losi, and Axial in particular were all at the top of their game in 2024, introducing some of the most innovative remote control cars ever to come from those industry-leading brands.
Any review of the best RC cars from the past year certainly must include the new ARRMA GROM 223S series, a line of budget-friendly brushless RC bashers that doesn’t compromise on quality. GROM 223S vehicles broke new ground by offering high performance and unlimited future potential at a lower price than lesser-equipped models from other manufacturers.
Losi presented its Micro-B RC buggy — a favorite from two decades ago that was reintroduced by popular demand in a newly updated, modern form. Losi also gave us three of the best large-scale RC cars of 2024: the 8IGHT-XE 1/8 scale racing buggy, 8IGHT-XTE 1/8 scale racing truggy, and Super Lasernut 1/6 scale buggy, modeled after Cody Waggoner’s full-size Lasernut U4 race car.
Axial climbs onto our Best RC Cars of 2024 list with the UTB18 Capra 4WS rock crawler. If your dream rig is a scale mini that can dominate the most challenging indoor and outdoor trails, the UTB18 Capra 4WS is all that and more.
You can learn more about these exceptional vehicles below. They’re not only among the best RC cars of 2024, but they’re destined to be favorites for 2025 and years to come.
Best RC Car Value of 2024: ARRMA GROM 223S
For new or relatively inexperienced drivers who plan to grow in the RC bashing hobby, there’s simply no better overall value than the ARRMA GROM 223S series. The GROM 223S checks every item on a brushless bashing newcomer’s wish list — low price, exceptional durability, and the ability to go from 2S to 3S power with no upgrades needed. For that reason, the ARRMA MOJAVE GROM 223S BLX 4X4 Desert Truck and ARRMA TYPHON GROM 223S BLX 4X4 Buggy definitely earn a spot among the best RC cars of 2024.
With a 2S LiPo, these small-scale bashers reach 35+ mph top speeds. That matches or even beats what other manufacturers’ more expensive 2S vehicles can do. And ARRMA GROM 223S RC cars don’t stop there. Install a 3S LiPo and their speed capability increases to over 50 mph!
Several innovative Spektrum technologies further separate the GROM 223S series from the pack. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) automatically corrects steering input to improve control, confidence, and safety. DSC can also be turned off whenever the driver wishes. With the SLT2 transmitter’s throttle limiting feature, maximum speeds can be limited to 50% or 75% until you feel ready to handle it all. Combined, these technologies help brushless bashing newcomers ease into the challenges of extreme 3S speeds.
The ARRMA MOJAVE GROM 223S BLX 4X4 Desert Truck and ARRMA TYPHON GROM 223S BLX 4X4 Buggy are uniquely designed to make moving from 2S to 3S power a smooth transition for any driver. That’s why they belong among the best RC cars of 2024.
Best Micro RC Car of 2024: Losi Micro-B
Many people who grew up with the RC car hobby have fond memories of the original Losi micros. They often asked for them to be made available again. So by popular demand, an old favorite returns as one of the best RC cars of 2024 — the 1/24 scale Losi Micro-B 2WD Buggy.
If your goal is simply to have fun racing RC cars, all you need is a fast, sturdy, easy-to-run vehicle and a place to race it with your family and friends. That’s where the economical, go-anywhere Micro-B shines. Inspired by a TLR World Champion buggy, it’s proof that a micro buggy can deliver big fun.
The Losi Micro-B doesn’t cost a lot of money. It’s ready-to-run, so you won’t have to search for the right accessories. You don’t need a large or special track. Just open the box, charge the battery, and start racing almost anywhere — even in your living room.
Losi captures the complete RC racing experience here in a micro size. Along with its World Champion racing buggy looks, the Losi Micro-B RC buggy offers 13+ mph top speeds, sturdy construction to endure bumps and jumps, and tuning capabilities that let drivers turn their growing experience into ever-stronger performance.
Best Large-Scale RC Car of 2024: Losi 8IGHT-XE
Off-road 1/8 scale racing may be the ultimate form of outdoor RC car competition. The tracks often stretch out over 20,000 square feet, with numerous turns, washboard sections, and off-camber corners to challenge each driver’s skill. The cars leap more than 30 feet over multiple elevation changes as they race for a place on the podium. No wonder so many RC car enthusiasts long to compete in the category one day.
In 2024 Losi introduced two large-scale, ready-to-run brushless vehicles that provide the ideal entry into 1/8 scale off-road racing — the Losi 8IGHT-XE 4X4 Racing Buggy and Losi 8IGHT-XTE 4X4 Racing Truggy. Both are based on the ROAR National Champion TLR 8IGHT-X platform and include a smooth, sensored brushless power system that delivers aggressive performance for the win.
Both also deliver serious bang for your buck. To enter 1/8 scale competition with a buggy or truggy that’s this well-equipped, you’d normally have to buy a kit, assembly tools, and completion parts — spending as much as $1600 total or more — and then also invest the time needed to put it all together. You can race these Losi 1/8 scale models as soon as you paint the body in your favorite colors and plug in your choice of the recommended LiPo batteries. No wonder they rank among the best RC cars of 2024!
The most affordable large-scale brushless buggy ever offered by Losi, the 1/6 scale Losi Super Lasernut 4X4, debuted in 2024 as well. It also borrows proven tech from the ROAR-winning TLR 8IGHT and surrounds it with officially licensed scale details from Cody Waggoner’s full-size Lasernut U4 race car — one of Ultra4 racing’s most successful vehicles. The Super Lasernut excels at desert racing’s style of cornering and jumping. If you’re an extreme off-roader at heart, you’ll feel your pulse race when experiencing this perfect blend of performance and scale realism.
Best RC Rock Crawler of 2024: Axial UTB18 Capra 4WS
Wrapping up this review of the best RC cars of 2024 is a rig from the rapidly growing RC rock crawler category, the ready-to-run Axial UTB18 Capra 4WS/4WD Unlimited Trail Buggy. The UTB18 Capra 4WS comes ready to conquer challenges indoors and out. It even outperforms some larger radio control rock crawlers!
No other 1/18 scale mini crawler has offered this caliber of performance before. It’s never been easier to tightly follow the line that leads from “here” to “there”. With 4-wheel steering maneuverability, the UTB18 Capra 4WS can climb rock ledges, flex over obstacles, and squeeze through tight notches. Three steering modes — for no rear tire input, mirrored rear tire input, or “crab crawl” — can be activated from the included Spektrum SLT3 transmitter, providing the flexibility you need to maneuver over or around almost anything in your way.
Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive entry into RC crawling or want to add a mini to your collection of Axial rigs, expect to be won over by the looks, capabilities, and value of the UTB18 Capra 4WS.
Looking Ahead to the Best RC Cars of 2025
The list we just gave you of the best innovations and value in RC cars from the new releases of 2024 doesn't stop when the clock strikes midnight into 2025. We know these will be some of the best RC cars and trucks of 2025, too, thanks to their forward-thinking innovation. For those of you interested in what 2025 has in store, trust us — it's going to be another great year for radio control!
If you’re interested in adding a new remote control vehicle to your collection, be sure to check out the entire selection available from Horizon Hobby or your nearest hobby retailer. There’s an RC car available that’s perfect for every driver. Find yours and let the dirt fly!
Words by Wally Armstrong
Wally has been writing about the RC hobby since 1987, when he was hired by Hobbico as a Copywriter after completing his master’s degree in English in 1983 and teaching for several years. He managed the Hobbico copywriting team until 2018, when Horizon Hobby purchased the company and brought him on board as a Senior Copywriter. Wally especially enjoys getting a first look at new Horizon RC products from the Product Development teams – and having the privilege of sharing details about their innovations with RC hobby customers.
