Best Kids' Ride-On Electric Cars for 2022 - Car and Driver

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Young car-lovers love electric ride-on cars, trucks, and more. Here are our favorite ride-ons for your little auto enthusiast. Quad Electric Adults

Ride-on electric cars are all the rage among kids these days. But it's not just cars! Trucks, motorcycles, tractors, quads—you name it, there's a ride-on electric toy for every little one. If you're looking for a gift for the little car-lover in your life, check out the best ride-on electric cars for kids, as chosen by the experts at your favorite automotive magazine.

From Lambos to Land Rovers, dirt bikes to John Deere tractors, battery tech has advanced to the point where most ride-on replica cars can run for an hour or more, providing tons of fun for little revvers. And with that advanced technology comes a price point that's far more amenable than it was just a few years ago. Some offer only solo play, while others allow for side-by-side fun. Many offer remote controls for parents, giving adults the power to make sure little Johnny Speedster doesn't plow headlong into a sandbox. All are great fun.

If your kid is ready to take to the open road, here's what to look for in a kid's electric car: Speed and Age Limit: Ride-on electric cars come in all shapes and sizes. While it can be tempting to get something a child can grow into, there are safety risks involved with choosing one that's too large or powerful for your child to control easily. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for age and weight. Some cars offer multiple speeds, parental remote controls, and seat belts. Types of Ride-On Electric Cars: Kids' ride-ons come in four main types: Side-by-side cars, or SxS, have two parallel seats. ATV ride-ons have the rider straddling a center seat with a foot on either side. UTV are single-seat, upright-seating variants of side-by-sides. Motorcycles are what you'd expect; toddler-oriented motorcycles usually have training wheels to keep the machine upright. Batteries and Power: The majority of these vehicles are powered by rechargeable six- or 12-volt batteries that require some skill and tools to replace if they fail. The length of time they will run on a single charge varies widely, and, over time, all of them will lose some power. Extra Features to Look For: Some of these ride-ons offer parental control of speed. A few offer a full-fledged remote control feature, using a video-game-style remote. Is this really necessary for low-speed electric cars? It depends on your child's needs—and, more forthrightly, your needs. As with the adult-sized cars they emulate, today's ride-ons are increasingly likely to have modern features like Bluetooth, USB, or AUX ports to play music. Others have flashing lights, working doors, seatbelts, or horns.

There's not a junior auto enthusiast on the planet who hasn't marveled at the sleek lines and gull-wing doors of a Lambo. This officially licensed Aventador sports LED headlights, horn and engine sounds, a working suspension, water-resistant wheels, and hydraulic-powered doors that really swing open. Older kids can operate it independently using the steering wheel and pedal; for younger kids, parents can use the remote control to steer the toy.

Powered by two 25-watt motors and 12-volt rechargeable batteries, kids can enjoy up to two hours of ride time, with speeds up to 2.2 mph.

Little adventure seekers will get a kick out of this replica Jeep, with its LED headlights, lockable doors, grid windshield, and off-road tires. It includes a parent remote, spring suspension, and a safe and manageable max speed of just 2.8 mph. It comes in five colors: black, blue, green, red, and white.

While this ride-on Jeep replica claims to be for kids aged three to six, reviewers say that because of the roll bar it's actually ideal for younger, smaller kids who can easily slide into the seat. Keep an eye on that weight limit.

Also available in black, white, or red, this adorable Land Rover Discovery SUV is pretty in pink and perfect for little ones who want to own the road—er, sidewalk. It features 2-wheel suspension, a parent remote, and can cruise at either a low speed of 1.8 mph or a max speed of 3.7 mph. It also sports working LED headlights, a horn, startup sounds, and an AUX input so your little babe can cruise in style. Best of all, it's got side-by-side seats for playdate fun.

It's designed for ages three and up but roomier than most others; some reviewers say their six- and eight-year-olds still fit in it.

This marvelous Maserati comes in red, black, and pink, as well as white. It features working headlights and horn, a movable rearview mirror, MP3 input, a high/low speed switch, and doors that really open and close. Like all the best electric cars for kids, it also sports a remote control for parents to keep their little racer from driving away. With a top speed of about 2 mph, it offers a full hour of play time, depending on speed and terrain.

Recommended for kids three to six years of age, it has a weight capacity of 77 pounds.

This officially licensed G63 comes with tons of authentic touches, including exhaust pipes, body detail decals, and opening doors that lock from the outside for safety. The seat belt and soft-start design prevent kids from being startled by sudden acceleration. The spring suspension ensures smooth rides.

We really like that the side window piece can be removed as kids grow, extending the usable life of the toy.

Older kids will love these little electric motorcycles. Available in MX and SX packages, with 350-, 500-, or 650-watt motors, they come in blue, yellow, or green. The 350-watt version (ages 13 and up) can hit speeds up to 14 mph for about 30 minutes of ride time; the 650 (16 and up) jacks that to about 17 mph with around 45 minutes of ride time; the 500 (14 and up) falls in the midrange. Pricing is relative. All feature dual suspension and riser handlebars, pneumatic knobby tires, a retractable kickstand, and hand-operated dual disc brakes.

While all are undeniably cute and cool, it's important to note that these motocross bikes are not toys designed for small children.

Ever see a kids' toy and wish you would've had one when you were that age? That's the way this mini John Deere has us feeling. This thing is remarkable! It's got two speeds—2.25 and 4.5 mph—plus reverse. (High speed can be disabled for beginners.) It operates via an accelerator pedal and has farm-like tractor wheels for traction on grass, dirt, gravel, or pavement. It also has a cool stake-side trailer and (get this!) a working FM radio.

All that's super-cool, but as parents, we love the fact that it recharges in just two hours (claimed).

Designed for the youngest riders up to about 30 months, this eerily accurate CAT replica quad is perfect for bombing around the backyard. Its top speed is only 1.5 mph using foot pedal acceleration. It comes with a working headlight and a toy hard hat.

Also available in camo, it's important to point out that this CAT quad is indeed a toy that's made for toddlers; the max weight capacity is just 44 pounds. No parent remote is included.

Little landmovers will feel right at home in this ride-on dump truck. It's the ultimate fun machine. With two 35-watt motors, it features two speeds when manually controlled by the child using the foot pedal, and three speeds (top speed 3 mph) with the parent remote control. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a working dump bed.

Kids Quad With automatic lifting and an extra shovel, kids can pitch in with the yardwork by carrying leaf piles and debris.