100-Percent RTR Vehicles For Under $170

Paul Onorato February 28, 2025 Stories

ARRMA MOJAVE GROM

OVERVIEW

Kicking off the five 100-percent RTR vehicles for under $170 is a scale looking desert race truck, the Arrma Mojave Grom. This very well detailed mini truck comes with four wheel drive that adds to the fun when behind the wheel. The durability of the larger Arrma vehicles is not lost on the Mojave Grom and neither is smooth handling. A strong composite chassis is the backbone of the Mojave and is ventilated to help on-board components keep their cool, aided by a high-speed fan integrated into the electronics. Inside the rugged 4WD drivetrain are robust metal gears which is spun by an Arrma Mega 380 brushed motor. At each corner are dBoots Fortress tires wrapped around plastic composite wheels that are color coordinated with the body. To ensure the Mojave Grom can handle rough terrain, Arrma selected quality oil-filled shocks to soak up bumps and ruts.

Arrma designed a sleek off-road body for the Mojave Grom desert truck and offers it in two eye-catching color schemes: red/black (shown here) or blue/white. Even at 1/16-scale, that did not stop Arrma from giving this truck some scale treatment like the open windows with interior and driver figures. It mounts to the chassis with a secure but clipless quick-release mechanism for no fuss use.

For the electronics, the Spektrum SX110 steering servo sports metal gears and it is waterproof. Additionally, the Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A ESC and receiver are waterproof, for worry-free operation in any conditions. Recharging the Spektrum Smart 2S LiPo battery is also a snap. Just plug it into the Spektrum S10 Smart G2 Mini 2S USB-C charger with the attached IC2 connector. In about an hour, your battery is safely recharged and ready for more fun.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $169.99
Item: ARA2104T1
Scale: 1/16
Length: 13.31 in. (338mm)
Width: 6.77 in. (172mm)
Height: 4.72 in. (120mm)
Wheelbase: 7.71 in. (196mm)
Weight: 2.27lb. (1.03kg)

KEY FEATURES

High-traction 4WD drivetrain
High-traction 4WD drivetrain
MOJAVE desert truck styling with two color scheme options
Powerful Spektrum 2S LiPo battery and safe, easy-to-use Smart charger
Easy, quick-release clipless body attachment and removal
Reliable, high-quality hex hardware
Enclosed metal gear drivetrain for all-terrain toughness
Updated V2 front and rear differentials
Durable composite chassis
Independent suspension and oil-filled, coil-over shocks
25mm cooling fan and motor heatsink
Tough dBoots Fortress tires on body color-coordinated wheels
Impact-absorbing front and rear bumpers
Spektrum SLT2 2-channel 2.4GHz radio
Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A waterproof ESC and receiver
Spektrum SX110 waterproof metal-geared servo
2-Year limited warranty

LOSI MINI JRX2

OVERVIEW

The Losi JRX2 was an iconic 1/10-scale buggy in the RC racing scene and dominated the racetrack back in the late 80’s. Losi has brought it back as a 1/16-scale version, made it ready-to-run and included everything you would need to get it tearing up the dirt. The new 1/16-scale version combines nostalgia along with a touch of present day technology. It is available in three original trim schemes and delivers with its old-school handling to rekindle old memories and will definitely create new ones.

As you check out the 2S 2WD RTR brushed chassis, you will discover a 5-link rear suspension setup is supported with aluminum shocks that will provide optimum grip on loose conditions. The chassis in made from fiberglass and a full set of ball bearings are found throughout. Era-specific ribbed front tires with a four row step pin rear tires are mounted on 5-spoke plastic wheels to complete the look. The electronics include the reliable Spektrum SLT 2.4GHz transmitter and is paired with the Spektrum 2-in-1 25-amp speed control with receiver. Losi also includes the four AA batteries for the transmitter as well as a Dynamite 650mAh LiPo battery with a .5A USB charger.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $169.99
Item: LOS01020T3
Scale: 1/16
Length: 10 in. (254mm)
Width: 7.2 in. (183mm)
Height: 4.25 in. (108mm)
Wheelbase: 7.13 in. (181mm)
Weight: 18.6 oz. (526g)

KEY FEATURES

Scaled-down JRX2
Rear motor configuration
5 link rear suspension
Completely RTR
650mAh LiPo Battery and .5A USB Charger
SLT 2.4 GHz Transmitter
2-in-1 ESC/RX
Rib fronts and 4 row step pin rear tires
Fiberglass Chassis
Full ball bearings
Aluminum shocks
Retro Trim Schemes
Race-inspired motor

ARRMA TYPHON GROM

OVERVIEW

2WD buggies like the Losi Mini JRX2 are a lot of fun to drive, but if you want to change things up with a different flavor of off-road action then you should check out the Arrma Typhon Grom that comes equipped with a tough 4WD drivetrain. It is a small scale RC like the Losi mentioned above yet it is built with plenty of performance on tap as well as excellent durability. If you’re a first-time RC basher, the Spektrum 2.4GHz SLT2 transmitter helps you learn control skills safely by limiting maximum speed to 50-percent or 75-percent until you’re ready to handle it all. For worry-free running the Spektrum SX110 steering servo with metal gears and the Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A ESC and receiver are waterproof. Then to help keep things from overheating, an integrated, high-speed cooling fan keeps motor and ESC temperatures down for a long life of peak performance.

The body is basically a scaled down version of the larger Arrma Typhon and the factory-finished body comes in your choice of either a red or blue color scheme. At the rear is a tough, high-downforce buggy style wing. Underneath the body, which is held with a clipless body mount design, you will find a strong composite chassis specifically designed to support the ruggedly built 4WD drivetrain complete with metal gears. This system gets spun by a powerful Arrma Mega 380 brushed motor while tough buggy wheels and tires gets the Typhon under way. You will notice that high-quality hex hardware is used throughout the vehicle for reliability and easy maintenance and oil-filled shocks handle the off-road terrain for improved handling.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $149.99
Item: ARA2106T1
Scale: 1/14
Length: 11.65 in. (296mm)
Width: 7.4 in. (188mm)
Height: 3.78 in. (96mm)
Wheelbase: 7.71 in. (196mm)
Weight: 1.8lb (820g)

KEY FEATURES

High-traction 4WD drivetrain
Powerful Spektrum 2S LiPo battery and safe, easy-to-use Smart charger
Reliable, high-quality hex hardware
Easy clipless body attachment and removal
Enclosed metal gear drivetrain for all-terrain toughness
Awesome TYPHON buggy styling with two color choices
Durable composite chassis
Independent suspension and oil-filled, coil-over shocks
Tough buggy wheels and tires
Impact-absorbing front and rear bumper
Spektrum SLT2 2-channel 2.4GHz radio
Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A waterproof ESC and receiver
Spektrum SX110 waterproof metal-geared servo
2-Year limited warranty

AXIAL AX24 XC-1

OVERVIEW

Do you want to do some serious small scale crawling? Then the Axial AX24 XC-1 is the ideal vehicle for you. With the AX24 XC-1, you’ll be able to crawl over bigger obstacles and pull tougher lines than you can with any other 1/24 scale rig. This highly capable mini crawler is able to run on indoor or outdoor courses. The key to the Axial AX24 XC-1 is the chassis that provides stability, durability, high clearance, generous articulation that allows serious rock crawling enthusiast to tackle the impossible. Flat chassis side plates with rock sliders help you move through tight formations. Long travel shocks, a 4-link suspension, and worm gear drivetrain combine for easy handling, dependable power delivery, and the ability to clear rough terrain.

One of the very cool features that Axial equipped the AX24 is its unique 4-wheel steering that gives you three modes to choose from and is activate by thee transmitter. There is no rear tire input, mirrored rear tire input, or “crab crawl” which gives you the flexibility you need to maneuver over or around almost anything in your way. You will also find a set OF LED rock lights mounted in the sliders so you have excellent visibility even when it gets dark.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $159.99
Item: AXI00003T2
Scale: 1/24
Length: 7.8 in. (198mm)
Width: 4.5 in. (114mm)
Height: 3.7 in. (94mm)
Wheelbase: 5.3 in. (135mm)

KEY FEATURES

Three 4-wheel steering (4WS) modes give drivers new terrain conquering ability.
Side plate chassis allows greater articulation for improved handling over rough terrain.
LED rock lights mounted in the rock sliders keep your path visible in low light.
Long travel coilover shocks keep wheels on the ground to maximize traction.
4-Link front and rear suspension reduces axle steer and torque twist.
Front and rear lockers with worm gear setup increase ground clearance.
Steel front and rear axles, stub axles, and dog bones provide strength.
Splined and sleeved drive shafts increase suspension travel.
Hinged body system offers easy access to on-board components.
Rockster wheels and Rock Lizards tires produce trail-taming traction.
No bushings — entire vehicle features sealed bearings.
Dynamite 88T motor provides the torque to conquer steep climbs.
Fully equipped — you can hit the trails almost immediately.

AXIAL SCX24 LEXUS GX 470

OVERVIEW

Axial offers a few RTR 1/24-scale crawlers based on the proven SCX24 platform and for this article we selected one of the newest offerings, the Axial SCX24 Lexus GX 470 trail truck. Off-roading and overlanding enthusiast are drawn to the highly capable Lexus GX 470 thanks to its powerful V8 engine and proven suspension setup. This made it an easy choice for Axial to reproduce this rig in RC and they clearly did not make any compromises in creating a realistic 1/24 version. RC crawling fans will appreciate its officially licensed, extra-durable ABS had body that is loaded with an exceptional amount of scale realism. The body comes factory-finished in white, silver, or black (featured here), and is topped off with scale accessories and working lights. Axial did not stop with making just the body look scale. They took the next step and produced officially licensed Black Rhino Raid wheels and Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires to complete the picture. And these tires are not just about realism, they will also boost this rig’s capability to conquer a wide range of surfaces.

Under the scale body is the proven SCX24 chassis that is right at home for either indoor or outdoor trailing. It has steel chassis frame rails like you would see in a full-size truck along with steel used for the front and rear axles and steel dogbones which will give serious strength to this crawler and offer great performance. Full time 4WD and a 3-link front/4-link rear suspension let you tackle tough obstacles. At the center of the chassis is a Dynamite 180-size 88-turn brushed motor that provides power to the drivetrain which spins nothing but metal ball bearings. In the axles are differentials spec’d with metal worm gears that are spun by splined driveshafts. At each corner are plush, oil-filled shocks for a suspension that smoothly absorbs bumps and remains stable over the roughest terrain.

This completely RTR truck comes equipped with high-quality Spektrum electronics. The adjustable Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz transmitter allows you to fine-tune steering control to suit your personal preferences and even comes with the required four AA batteries. Powering the tuck itself is the Spektrum 350mAh LiPo battery which provides thirty plus minutes of uninterrupted run time when fully charged. How do you charge the battery pack? Axial equipped the SCX24 Lexus with the quick and convenient Spektrum USB-C LiPo charger and a handy USB charger.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $159.99
Item: AXI-1532T3
Scale: 1/24
Length: 8.25 in. (210mm)
Width: 3.9 in. (99mm)
Height: 4.5 in. (114mm)
Wheelbase: 5 in. (127mm)
Weight: 9 oz. (257g)