RC drift cars - 1:10 vs 1:16, RWD vs 4WD and surfaces

Choosing an RC drift car starts with the space and surface available. Scale, driven wheels and tyres all affect the choice. This guide compares the current 1:10, 1:14 and 1:16 models without assuming a particular body shape means a licensed car.

What to look for

Scale describes size relative to the represented vehicle. A 1:10 model is generally larger than a 1:16 model of a similar car. Actual dimensions still matter. Leave space for turns, slides and recovery rather than judging by scale alone.

RWD means the rear wheels are driven. 4WD means all four wheels are driven. Four-wheel steering is different again: it describes which wheels steer. A 4WD car does not automatically have four-wheel steering.

Check whether drift and grip tyres are included. Drift tyres allow more sliding on a suitable surface. Grip tyres are intended for more traction. Changing tyres does not turn an on-road car into an off-road vehicle.

Use a smooth, clean and level driving area. Rough paving, gravel and grass are poor starting points for small on-road drift cars. Avoid wet surfaces unless the instructions expressly permit them.

Lights, body style and scale do not establish top speed or proportional steering. Check those features separately. Follow the age rating on the individual product.

The cars

The 1:16 4WD drift car and the alternative 1:16 4WD drift car both have 2.4GHz control and two sets of tyres. Their listings distinguish rubber grip tyres from the drift set. Compare their pictured bodies as well as the shared specification.

The 1:14 twin-motor drift car has 4WD, LED underbody lights and interchangeable drift and grip tyres. Its listing specifies smooth surfaces.

At 1:10 scale, the 4WD drift car with four-wheel steering has two speed modes and drift and grip tyres. It comes in yellow or red. The 4WD touring drift car also lists four-wheel steering, two speeds and interchangeable tyres.

The 1:10 RWD drift car, 1:10 RWD touring drift car and 1:10 RWD sports-coupe drift car use rear-wheel drive, 2.4GHz control and LED lights. Their titles carry a 6+ rating. Their descriptions specify smooth surfaces; do not assume they include the tyre sets listed for the 4WD models.

How to decide

For a smaller model, compare the two 1:16 cars. For a larger car with tyre choices and two speed modes, compare the 1:10 4WD options. Choose a RWD model if that is the layout you want, then match the car to your driving space.