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Types of RC car
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
The type of car matters more than almost anything else, because it decides where the car will be fun to drive. Here's what each type is built for.
Off-road
| Type | Built for | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monster truck | Grass, rough ground, jumps | Huge tyres, ground clearance, tough | Tips over in fast corners |
| Stadium truck | Mixed surfaces, tracks | Agile, wide stance, tough | Less clearance than a monster truck |
| Short course truck | All-round bashing and racing | Covered wheels, very stable and tough | Bodywork takes a beating |
| Buggy | Dirt tracks, short grass, gravel | Fast, agile, precise | Low; struggles in long grass |
| Truggy | Rough tracks, bashing | Buggy speed plus truck tyres | Usually 1/8, so pricier |
| Crawler / trail truck | Rocks, gardens, trails | Slow, controllable, climbs anything | Not for speed |
On-road
| Type | Built for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Touring car | Tarmac, carpet tracks | Fast, precise, needs smooth surfaces |
| Drift car | Smooth floors and tarmac | Hard tyres and gyro-assisted steering for sliding |
| Rally car | Tarmac and light gravel | Scale looks, more ground clearance than touring cars |
| Pan car / F1 | Racing tracks | Specialist racing |
Which suits you?
- "I just want to drive it anywhere": a monster truck or short course truck. Most beginners should start here. See best RC cars for beginners.
- Short grass, tracks and car parks: a buggy.
- Gardens, slow and technical: a crawler.
- Smooth surfaces and building it yourself: a touring car kit, such as a Tamiya TT-02.
- Racing: whatever class your local club runs.
2WD or 4WD?
4WD is easier to drive, grips better and handles loose surfaces. 2WD is cheaper, simpler and more of a challenge, which many drivers enjoy.
Scale and power
Each type comes in several sizes; see RC car scales explained. And each can be brushed or brushless, electric or nitro; see brushed vs brushless RC cars and nitro vs electric RC cars.
Battery choices for each type are covered in LiPo batteries explained. The full buying decision is in the RC car buyer's guide. Back to the RC cars hub.
Frequently asked questions
What type of RC car is best for grass?
A monster truck or short course truck. Their big wheels and high ground clearance handle grass far better than a buggy.
What is a truggy?
A cross between a buggy and a truck: a buggy-style chassis with wider arms and truck tyres. Fast and stable on rough tracks.
What is a short course truck?
A truck modelled on full-size desert racing trucks, with bodywork covering the wheels. The covered wheels make it very tough and stable.
Related guides
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