Toy cars: the 23 best sets from emergency services to garage

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What child now has none toys car in his or her toys collection? From trucks and racing cars to emergency services cars and remote control electric cars.

Add a race track, a play mat, or a garage to your toys collection to enjoy playing and racing with all your friends every day!

I have several cars and auto sets examined, and the best toys car is this Maisto Dodge Challenger. Just big enough to play with. All doors can open and it is very sturdy.

In this article I look at the 23 best cars and play sets and what you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Best toy cars rated

The best auto sets in a quick overview, then I'll go into more detail about each of these choices:

Overall best toy car with opening doors

MaistoDodge Challenger SRT8

This car is 1:24 and therefore very big, about 7-1/2″ long (19 cm). It is a great diecast replica and very detailed.

8.6
Toy score
Product image

Best cheap pull back cars

Funcorn Toyspull-back

Just a set with 12 very cheap cars. They can all be pulled back and then drive off “pull back.”

7.9
Toy score
Product image

Best toy cars set

Hot Wheels10 pack

The Hot Wheels Basic vehicles are 1:64 scale with realistic details. They are available in different versions so there is always something to choose from.

8.5
Toy score
Product image

Best big toy truck

Bruder Dodge Ram 2500 With Horse Trailer 02501

It's one of the toughest toy cars I've ever seen. Bruder is expensive, that's for sure. But it is also really quality.

9.5
Toy score
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Best Lego car

LEGOCreator Expert Ford Mustang 10265

It is a real Ford Mustang GT from the 60s and the doors of the car really open. The trunk and hood can also be opened.

8.9
Toy score
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Overall best toy parking garage

HapeE3002 Park And Go With Lift

The gas station at the bottom is a nice addition for some pretend play. The hoses can go into the cars.

9.3
Toy score
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Best magnetic toy car

TeguDaredevil

The set is also just very well put together. The magnets click well and stay in place, even during heavy driving.

8.1
Toy score
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Best toy cars for babies

B ToysFree Wheee-Read

These cars are already suitable from 1 year. Due to the rounded shapes there is nothing to hurt yourself and they are easy to grip.

6.7
Toy score
Product image

Best RC car for toddlers and preschoolers

sgile360 Rotation

[Toy Grade] You see this kind of 360 degree rotation cars popping up everywhere, and the best brand for this type of RC car at the moment is Sgile. Super sturdy so bumping or falling from something won't do anything to him.

8.7
Toy score
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Best race track for preschoolers aged 5 to 6

CareerGO Pixar Cars Speed ​​Challenge

Featuring one of the most renowned race track designers in the form of Carrera, along with the endearing characters from the movie, this is the perfect starter kit for younger children.

8.6
Toy score
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Best toy car that can change color

Hot WheelsColor Shifters

There aren't many cars that can take a bath, so that's a welcome addition. Hot Wheels are on the cheaper side of diecast and are really meant to be toys.

8.3
Toy score
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Best toy car that can be taken apart

Theo KleinBosch Car Tuning Kit

Can be completely taken apart with a real working electric screwdriver that can turn both left and right.

7.9
Toy score
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Best toy car with sound (6 years)

BruderMAN fire truck 02771

Many functions provide endless fun: from the high crane to a real working fire hose.

8.9
Toy score
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Best toy car with big wheels

Spin MasterMonster Jam Dirt Starter Set

This starter set gives you the opportunity to build your favorite Monster Jam truck and then race it.

8.2
Toy score
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Best toy car with trailer

Melissa & DougWooden truck-loading crane

Wooden trailer with magnetic crane with which he can pick up the supplied cars and place them on the trailer.

7.3
Toy score
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Best toy car kit

Jada ToysFast & Furious Brian Toyota Supra, Build n' Collect

The quality is very good and just like the regular cars from Jada Toys completely die-cast. With this kit you can only build it yourself.

8.5
Toy score
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Best robot car

MakeblockmBot Ranger

This Ranger is actually 3 robots in one. That also makes building a bit more replayable than the other sets, always changing parts.

8.7
Toy score
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Overall best toy car with light and sound

PlaymobilPolice bus 70899

Playmobil is always perfect for pretend play. You not only get a car that drives well, but also a lot of accessories.

8.8
Toy score
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Best activities

joyinGarbage truck

Take it apart with the screwdriver. The best activity is the garbage arm that can actually lift the 3 included garbage cans.

8.1
Toy score
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Best toy car with elastic

Thames & KosmosRubber Band Racers

A nice educational set to learn how stored energy works and a good introduction to physics.

7.7
Toy score
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Best toy car for toddler

LEGO10948 DUPLO Town Parking Garage and Car Wash

The car wash doesn't really work, but the fabric cleaning curtain is very nice, and what toddler can resist a movable barrier?

9.1
Toy score
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Best electric car toys from 3 years old

CostzonMercedes Benz ML350 6V

This is another children's car with a sturdy seat. This makes it great fun for kids who are between 3 and 8 years old.

8.7
Toy score
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Best toy car set for toddlers

Le Toy VanRetro Subway

These are the kind of classic vehicles in soft pastel colors that I want my child to play with. No, I want to play with it myself!

8.5
Toy score
Product image

From toddler to toddler activity book collection

Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years

Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.

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Toy car buying guide

What should you pay attention to when buying toys cars?

Sustainability

There are quite a few differences in quality toys car brands. Just look at the difference between Maisto and Hot Wheels, you can clearly feel the quality.

With a complete diecast auto In any case, virtually nothing can break. That's what I paid extra attention to when assessing the durability of the cars.

Quality of driving

At toys You want cars to drive well. Some may be for display only, not for play. But you still want them to roll well.

A few things to watch out for are:

  1. the distance from the wheels to the chassis: some toy cars run into problems so they don't drive very well
  2. the rigidity of the shaft: some toy cars are very wobbly so the wheels can move far in and out, and still rub
  3. the quality of the wheels: is it plastic or are there really rubber wheels on the tires? Rubber rolls a lot better
  4. the weight of the car: you may not realize this right away, but the weight of the car plays a very large role in how well it rolls. A heavier car made of diecast or wood rolls a lot better and further than a plastic car

Replayability

A big part of the replayability of the auto It's in how well it drives, but there are other factors that determine how often they return to it.

Age also plays a role. Is it a auto that remains ignored after toddlerhood or can it last longer because it is also suitable for older children?

The number of extra functions also plays a role, such as the extra figures with the Melissa & Doug School Bus or the Lego bricks with the Ford Mustang.

I have each of the cars on this list on these components are assessed on a 5-point scale.

Best Toy Cars Reviewed

There is plenty of choice! No one is too old to be with cars to play!

Overall best toy car with opening doors

Maisto Dodge Challenger SRT8

Product image
8.6
Toy score
To drive
4.6
Replayability
4.4
Sustainability
3.9
Best for
  • 1:24 is nice and big
  • All doors and hood can be opened
Less good
  • Trunk cannot open

This auto is 1:24 and therefore very large, about 7-1/2″ long (19 cm). It is a great diecast replica and very detailed.

All doors can open so there is plenty to discover or to display it beautifully. Only the trunk can not open so that is a pity.

Maisto has been making diecast for a while now cars and they are not always of the best quality. But with this model they have a very good one auto that is large and affordable and where a lot can be opened.

Best cheap pull back cars

Funcorn Toys pull-back

Product image
7.9
Toy score
To drive
4.3
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
3.4
Best for
  • Very cheap for a complete set
  • Pull back system works well
Less good
  • Strange Chinese translations
  • Very cheap plastic

This is just a set of 12 very cheap ones cars. They can all be pulled back and then driven away “pull back.”

The plastic feels quite thin, but it is made of non-toxic material, so safety has not been spared in any case.

The colors are bright so they are a cheerful couple. Each auto is about 2 inches (5 cm) so that is really very small.

Because they are so small, it is recommended to give them from 3 years old. They are a bit more fun for small children unfortunately, but if you stick with them you can also give it to a younger child.

There are 12 cars each with its own role, such as a police car, taxi, fire truck, bread truck, petrol truck, truck, fruit truck and etc.

This also makes the set extra fun for pretend play.

The images and translations on the cars are not very good. Some strange combinations are created, for example with a fire truck with hot sauce and pizza on it.

Best toy cars set

Hot Wheels 10 pack

Product image
8.5
Toy score
To drive
4.1
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.3
Best for
  • Complete set in one go
  • Sturdy cars that last a long time
Less good
  • Not a lot of detail

The Hot Wheels Basic vehicles are 1:64 scale with realistic details. They are available in different versions so there is always something to choose from.

If it's your first set cars then a pack of 10 is great to start with and not expensive at all.

Hot Wheels have nice die-cast bodies, but are not as detailed as, for example, Maisto. That is not bad at all for your child to play with.

They always drive well and last a very long time. Only the wheels are sometimes a weak spot, but they always last for years past several siblings.

Best big toy truck

Bruder Dodge Ram 2500 With Horse Trailer 02501

Product image
9.5
Toy score
To drive
4.7
Replayability
4.7
Sustainability
4.9
Best for
  • Super sturdy construction
  • All doors can be opened, including the tailgate of the truck
Less good
  • Very expensive
  • Little big to play with and difficult to combine with other toys

The Dodge pick-up has a cab with four doors that can be opened and closed. The tailgate can also be opened.

Toys Horse trailers are also available for older children who can handle small parts responsibly and may be more interested in a more truthful design.

Great fun for children who still have a lot of interest in horses and horse trailers as they grow up.

It is one of the strongest toys cars I've ever seen. Bruder is expensive, that's for sure. But it is also really of quality.

Due to the size and especially small parts (the doors can be detached and there is a loose tekhook), the set is particularly suitable for children from 3 years old.

Bruder Dodge Ram Pickup Horse Trailer

The horse trailer is equipped with a rear door that can be easily folded open and can serve as a platform for the horse to be guided inside.

The Dodge Ram is also available separately without the horse trailer.

Best Lego car

LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang 10265

Product image
8.9
Toy score
To drive
4.1
Replayability
4.5
Sustainability
4.8
Best for
  • Very very large building set
  • Huge amount of detail in the interior and engine
Less good
  • Very pricey
  • Harder to play with

Although these Lego Creator sets are aimed at adults, teenagers can of course also play with them. With 1471 pieces, it is quite a construction kit that will keep you busy for a while.

The nice thing about Lego is that you can combine it endlessly. This way you can pimp your Ford Mustang with different types of Lego pieces. The possibilities are endless.

Lego has also responded to this by making some adjustments such as the supercharger, ducktail rear spoiler, sturdy exhaust pipes, and nitrous oxide tank.

Make it a post-apocalyptic car with a laser turret, or just give it a wider bumper.

It is a real Ford Mustang GT from the 60s and the doors of the auto can really open. The trunk and hood can also be opened.

It is also quite large at 10 cm (3″) high, 34 cm (13″) long and 14 cm (5″) wide. He is very expensive though. Part of it is in the amount of Lego pieces, but also partly in the fact that it is an official Ford Mustang.

Playing with it is a bit more difficult than with others cars because you don't want any pieces to fall off, even though it is very solidly built. The pieces on the outside hold the whole thing together very well.

Overall best toy parking garage

Hape E3002 Park And Go With Lift

Product image
9.3
Toy score
To drive
4.5
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
4.7
Best for
  • Sturdy wooden garage
  • Good price
  • Lift included
Less good
  • Colors are not very attractive

Age: 3 years +

The first on the list is the toys garage with elevator from Hape. I think this is a nice garage and the nicest elevator because it is a pulley elevator.

Furthermore, it is nice and high and both floors have a spiral slope, making it fun to use one of the 2 supplied cars to drive off. There is also a helicopter.

The gas station at the bottom is a nice addition for some fantasy play. The snakes can be in the cars.

What it is: a medium-sized (42 x 93 x 43 centimeters), solid wood, 3-storey garage with road markings, a pulley lift, two spiral ramps, 3 cars and a ramp with a lever. Requires assembly with screwdriver (instructions included).

Why I like him: this is a good price for a sturdy wooden garage that is fairly easy to assemble (the instructions are good and clear).

Some reviews do state that the lift is a bit stiff and the ramp is a bit steep, but they all thought it was fun to play with.

Best magnetic toy car

Tegu Daredevil

Product image
8.1
Toy score
To drive
3.6
Replayability
3.9
Sustainability
4.7
Best for
  • Sustainable wooden toys
  • Car drives really well too
Less good
  • Very expensive

Tegu is a toy brand that makes everything from wood. Beautiful and sturdy wood.

It's durable and made in Honduras in a responsible manner, that's playing good.

It also makes the set a bit more expensive, but playing with wood gives your child much more in return than plastic toys.

The set is also just very well put together. The magnets click well and stay in place, even during heavy driving.

And that's ultimately what you want from one toys car.

This set offers less building options than the Magformers police set. But you can also supplement this with other sets from Tegu.

They all fit together. Here you get at least 12 building pieces.

Best toy cars for babies

B Toys Free Wheee-Read

Product image
6.7
Toy score
To drive
2.5
Replayability
3.9
Sustainability
3.6
Best for
  • Well rounded and easy to grab
  • Cheerful colors and fun design
Less good
  • Don't drive very well
  • Not sturdy enough for rough toddler play

This cars are made for the smallest children and suitable from 1 year. The rounded shapes mean there is nothing for them to hurt themselves on and they are easy to grip.

There are 6 wooden ones cars with a few different shapes. The type of handle in passenger cars is also funny. This way they can grab it easily.

Actually these are the cheapest cars on the list and not Melissa & Doug's.

But then they aren't real toys cars for your toddler. Then you're better off buying another one. They don't roll very well and the design is a bit crazy.

But a very nice first set for your baby. The overall score of 6.7 is a bit low because I rated it on the same points as "real" gaming cars.

Best RC car for toddlers and preschoolers

sgile 360 Rotation

Product image
8.7
Toy score
To drive
4.2
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.6
Best for
  • Collide safely so your child can tear with it
  • Made to do fun stunts
Less good
  • Controls can take some getting used to for a small child
  • Not suitable for racing

Type: Toy Grade

This is a auto for when you want to drive around without worrying about bumping into something.

That could be because you really like it yourself, but it's also perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who don't know what they are doing yet.

This kind of 360 degree rotation cars you see them popping up everywhere, and the best brand for this type of RC car at the moment is Sgile.

Super sturdy so bumping or falling from something won't hurt it and it charges nice and fast (in 1,5 hours) so your child will never run out of battery (because they will often forget to charge it before they want to ride) ).

Oh, and charging is done via USB so you can do that anytime, anywhere.

That fast charging is also necessary because it can only last 25 minutes on a single charge. That is one of the major drawbacks.

But they also paid attention to safety with high-quality ABS materials that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The battery has short circuit protection and overcharge protection.

Best race track for preschoolers aged 5 to 6

Career GO Pixar Cars Speed ​​Challenge

Product image
8.6
Toy score
To drive
4.8
Replayability
4.2
Sustainability
3.9
Best for
  • Good traditional slot cars
  • Expandable track system
  • Nice theme suitable for younger children
Less good
  • small set
  • Not much happens without extensions

The Carrera GO - Pixar Cars Edition racetrack is a fun spin-off of the popular Disney / Pixar movie 'Cars'.

Nice starter set with the characters of Cars.

It's a more traditional racetrack than some of the others on our list so it will bring back memories of your childhood as well.

While Disney certainly valued the odds for gold from this movie, there's no underestimating the appeal this trusted character can have in the world of racetracks.

This set is a more traditional racetrack, the kind of kit you'd know from your childhood.

  • Two metal car tracks
  • two speed controllers
  • two cars (McQueen and Bernoulli)
  • and a few exciting extras (high curves, narrow section, intersection, flyover, loop).

Featuring one of the most renowned race track designers in the form of Carrera, along with the endearing characters from the movie, this is the perfect starter kit for younger children.

Best toy car that can change color

Hot Wheels Color Shifters

Product image
8.3
Toy score
To drive
4.2
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
4.1
Best for
  • Can change color
  • Hot Wheels are cheap cars, fun to play with
Less good
  • Water must be really hot and cold

Cars Hotwheels are known for being easy to ride on and fast, but... you also have many different options.

That is why I am also looking at these Color Shifters from Hotwheels.

The disadvantage is that you don't know in advance which one you will get, so if you are really looking for a specific type auto these aren't for you, and I got this race car when I ordered one.

Hot wheels color shifters

Someone indicated that it doesn't work no matter what he tried, but most people can still get some fun out of it:

Exactly as advertised. I ordered three cars and luckily they were all different (thank you!!!) The children take them to the bath with a cup of ice cream and enjoy the color changes.

It is indeed difficult to get the color changing effect.

Warm must be really very warm and cold very cold, otherwise it won't work. But for example in a warm bath is fine and then with a glass of ice water next to it.

There are not many cars that can be taken in the bath, so that is a welcome addition.

Best toy car that can be taken apart

Theo Klein Bosch Car Tuning Kit

Product image
7.9
Toy score
To drive
3.2
Replayability
4.6
Sustainability
4.1
Best for
  • Really working screwdriver can even turn left and right
  • Very nice kit
Less good
  • Car doesn't drive very well
  • Sturdy parts, but the car is not firmly put together

Using

  • the demountable car,
  • 4 interchangeable straps,
  • 3 interchangeable label sets,
  • the screwdriver
  • and of course the working Bosch electric screwdriver

you can use the auto build it up and then take it apart again, and do that as often as you want!

It can be completely disassembled, and it comes with a real working electric screwdriver that can turn both left and right to loosen and re-tighten everything.

The auto is made up of all separate parts, so you also have loose wheels that you can use as spare tires and put on them.

Theo-Klein-Bosch-Take-Apart-Car-Electric-screwdriver

All the plates can be removed, so you can actually see exactly how a auto is put together.

There is also a sticker sheet where you can give those blue parts nice speed stripes, just like in a real race auto.

A very nice set from Bosch so that they can learn to use screwdrivers and also use power tools, wheels and everything else that comes with it. auto to get to know them a little.

The auto is not very firmly put together. It is difficult to play well with it.

That's why it was mainly used with us to take apart and rebuild, but never made it in our son's pretend play.

Best toy car with sound (6 years)

Bruder MAN fire truck 02771

Product image
8.9
Toy score
To drive
4.3
Replayability
4.6
Sustainability
4.4
Best for
  • Great sturdy construction
  • Good crane and real working fire hose
Less good
  • Very large and difficult to combine with other toys

Come to the rescue with this Bruder Fire Truck! With the fire brigade you can save people! Turn on the siren (which makes a real sound) and let everyone know that the heroes are on their way!

Of course it has a high crane so that is great fun and you can do up and down then and it can also stretch very far with the tray that can tilt.

Furthermore, the front can be detached and then you actually see under the hood in such a auto what's in it.

There is a cover that can be opened and underneath is a reservoir that you can fill with water. That is especially nice in the summer of course to take outside to spray, and he can spray quite far.

With the pump you can first pump it up a few times and you actually have to pump the water pressure on it. It's a bit of a classic fire engine as they might have done in the old days.

Bruder MAN real working fire hose

The auto is also quite large. Very big actually. That's very cool of course, but it makes it difficult to combine with others toys.

Luckily we have quite a few other Bruder toys where it fits exactly, but much else toys is in 1:24 scale or smaller.

Still, it is very nice to play with and although a child of 3 can already play with it, it is the best from 6 years old.

Best toy car with big wheels

Spin Master Monster Jam Dirt Starter

Product image
8.2
Toy score
To drive
3.9
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.1
Best for
  • Sturdy monster truck
  • Nice and small, fits well in toddler hands
Less good
  • Wheels are very wobbly
  • Relatively little kinetic sand, and does not combine with other brands of sand

Wow! This Hot wheels monster jam monster truck is very impressive!

This starter set gives you the opportunity to build your favorite Monster Jam truck and then race it.

There is even a ready-made ramp that you can use as a ramp or to perform crazy stunts. You also get 227 grams of kinetic sand with the set that you can drive over and build the ramp.

The Monster Jam truck is detailed and has dirt-stained tires. This makes the look of the truck even more real!

It's the perfect starter kit for a speed champion who likes huge, tough trucks!

I only found the downsides that there was not so much kinetic sand, we were lucky ourselves so we could experience the second disaster, but otherwise there was not even enough to fill both ramps.

And maybe you want to buy a second truck to be able to race too, because what is Monster Trucks (top rated here) without monster racing.

The downside is that the wheels are very wobbly. This makes the monster truck a bit difficult to drive at times.

Not so much when you hold it in your hand, but more when you want to push it forward. He just wants to go in circles.

Best toy car with trailer

Melissa & Doug Wooden Truck Loading Crane

Product image
7.3
Toy score
To drive
3.1
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
3.8
Best for
  • Nice set with cars and trailer
  • Good size to play with other cars
Less good
  • Magnet is very weak and hard to keep the cars on it
  • Wooden stop block of the trailer broke off (after angry throwing)

The Melissa & Doug magnetic wooden truck crane with vehicles consists of six parts and includes a red charger with magnetic army arm, a car transport trailer and four magnetic wooden cars.

The four cars all have a different color, namely red, blue, yellow and white and each has its own number. In this way, a child learns to count, sort and group and playfully stimulate fantasy.

I had written about it before here under the nicest wooden one toys like wooden toys car, that the magnet (like this magnetic toy) could have been a little stronger.

That is really true because it becomes very challenging to drive with the auto while holding something.

You can pick up cars with the magnetic crane on the truck and they are very loose. You have to be extremely dexterous with that magnet.

In the end he liked the other magnet best toys, such as magnetic blocks and magnetic animals.

Melissa & Doug truck mounted crane with magnetic block

But it's such a fun and cute set and my son is absolutely full of it.

Best toy car kit

Jada Toys Fast & Furious Brian Toyota Supra, Build n' Collect

Product image
8.5
Toy score
Building
4.1
Replayability
4.3
Sustainability
4.3
Best for
  • Simple kit with enough parts
  • Fun for older schoolchildren to teenagers
Less good
  • Very small screws require some patience

This auto is just the right size at 1:24 scale and not too difficult. This way, 8-year-olds can get started with it and perhaps even a little earlier with your help.

It's the Toyota Supra from Fast & Furious and although it's quite detailed, it comes across more like toys then a model car.

The quality is very good and just like the regular ones cars from Jada Toys completely die-cast. With this kit you can only build it yourself.

Everything you need is included. No glue is needed, just the small screwdriver that comes in the kit.

The screws are very small so screwing them together should definitely help if your child is not yet a teenager.

Best robot car

Makeblock mBot Ranger

Product image
8.7
Toy score
Building
3.7
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
4.5
Best for
  • Very replayable with different sets
  • Fully expandable with other kits
Less good
  • Batteries are difficult to charge
  • Interface is sometimes difficult to follow

This one falls between the Jada Toys and Wood Trick in terms of age, a great building kit to set up together.

But in the end, this is what it's all about toys more about the robot you built. This Ranger is actually 3 robots in one.

That also makes building a bit more replayable than the other sets. You can always swap parts and make it back to another version.

  • Land Raider is a tracked robot that can run over just about anything
  • Nervous Bird is a balance robot that can balance itself
  • Dashing Raptor is a three-wheeled racing car

It is remotely controllable through the app and it is also suitable for outdoor use.

It also teaches coding basics in that you can use Scratch to program it, the Makeblock app can help with some suggestions.

This, of course, is STEM toys par excellence with robotics, engineering and coding in one toy and they can get started with it from the age of 8.

In addition, mBot is expandable with different kits so that you can build and experiment even more.

We've also written about mBot before in our article on the best robot toys.

The batteries are a bit of an issue. They are difficult to charge and when building the cars you can no longer reach it. To charge them, you first have to take the robot apart again.

Overall best toy car with light and sound

Playmobil Police bus 70899

Product image
8.8
Toy score
To drive
3.8
Replayability
4.6
Sustainability
4.8
Best for
  • Lots of accessories for pretend play
  • Realistic sound
Less good
  • Doesn't drive as well as real toy cars

Playmobil is always perfect for pretend play. You don't just get one auto that drives well, but also has a lot of accessories.

The same goes for this police bus. The button on the roof turns on the lights and sounds for a realistic police sound.

There are two dolls included but there is enough room in the bus for seven and the rear seat folds down for more storage space.

Furthermore, there are handcuffs, a walkie-talkie and 2 pistols. You can easily transport the crooks in the bus because the roof is removable and the sliding side doors and rear doors can really open.

A real toys cars like the Interceptor from Dickie Toys drive slightly better than Playmobil. This is more of a playset.

Best activities

joyin Garbage truck

Product image
8.1
Toy score
To drive
3.7
Replayability
4.8
Sustainability
3.7
Best for
  • Many activities in one
  • Garbage truck theme is very appealing
Less good
  • Cheap build quality
  • Not all activities are fully developed

Joyin is not my favorite brand because it is a bit cheap plastic, but the amount of fun they put into them every time toys knowing how to stop is huge.

And my son never finds the build quality much of a problem.

This garbage truck can be taken apart with the screwdriver with 3 types of replaceable heads. It is 12,5 inches long and 4,5 inches wide (31 x 11,4 cm).

The best activity is the garbage arm that can actually lift the 3 included garbage cans.

It is also a friction powered system (push-n-go without batteries) and has lights and sounds.

It is not suitable for children under 3 years old because all screws and such are very small. But if you stay with it, a 2-year-old could also play with it.

You will probably have to put it back together yourself often because they can unscrew it with 3, but they can no longer put it together.

They have quite a lot in one auto trying to cram everything in so that everything is not completely worked out properly.

But it gives a lot of fun and it is mainly me who has a problem with it, not my child.

Best toy car with elastic
Thames & Kosmos Rubber Band Racers
Product image
7.7
Toy score
Play value
4.1
Price/quality
3.6
Replayability
4.2
Best for
  • Educational set
  • Car and boats work well
Less good
  • Can only build one thing at a time
  • Airplanes don't work very well
  • From: 7 years
  • Best: 8 – 10 years
  • Up to: 12 years
  • Material: Plastic
  • Theme: Vehicles, Car
  • Play Mode: Solo
  • Price at time of writing: €26,37 – $21,99
  • Durability: None
  • Learning objective: VOICE/ STEAM, Science
  • Storage: Compact
  • Safety parts: None
  • Playtime: Short (<10 min)
  • Gender inclusivity: Gender neutral

A nice educational set to get to know the operation of stored energy and elastic potential energy and a good introduction to physics. The educational value is therefore excellent.

The play value suffers a bit due to the lack of ease of use. You can build a number of different vehicles with the sets, but each one must be taken apart to build the next. The boats and cars work well, but the flying constructions a little less so. You can see exactly how it works, so that's nice, but they don't really fly well in the air.

The replayability is slightly better, especially because you can also use the created vehicles in other types of games with, for example, other cars. It's also nice and small, lightweight and portable so you can play it anywhere. The materials are not too sturdy so it is not really suitable for smaller children and rough use.

Best toy car for toddler

LEGO 10948 DUPLO Town Parking Garage and Car Wash

Product image
9.1
Toy score
Wash
4.1
Replayability
4.6
Sustainability
4.9
Best for
  • Construction set and car wash in one
  • Car wash has a cleaning cloth and barrier
  • Lots of accessories and cars
Less good
  • Not so much fun after toddler
  • No working car wash

Duplo is always super fun to play with for toddlers and they can even build something with it. So is this Town Car Wash.

There are 4 DUPLO figures that can do the work or relax in the auto being able to drive through the car wash.

The car wash doesn't really work, but I really liked the fabric cleaning curtain, and what toddler can resist a movable barrier?

It is quite a complete set because there are 3 cars one of which even has a Push&Goauto is.

There are 112 pieces in total and it says suitable from 2 years old, but my son could already play with it at 1 year old. Then you might hold back the very smallest parts for a while.

Best electric car toys from 3 years old

Costzon Mercedes Benz ML350 6V

Product image
8.7
Toy score
To drive
4.6
Battery
3.8
Sustainability
4.6
Best for
  • Nice sound system
  • Parental supervision
  • 6 km / h top speed
Less good
  • Some are disappointed with the battery life

This is another children's car with a sturdy seat. This makes it great fun for kids who are between 3 and 8 years old.

They can drive around with their friends or siblings!

We liked that they gave the parents some extra safety assurance by giving them a remote control.

This gives parents total control over the auto in case their child is inexperienced in driving or gets into a collision.

Even if your child is driving the vehicle, the remote can take control at any time.

The top speed this ride on the auto each can be 6 km/h. Children can move backwards and forwards and the auto steer in any direction.

There is also a sound system built into this car toy. You can connect devices via an Aux plug-in or listen to the radio.

We liked that they have also implemented a screen that provides you with information.

These include details about battery life and whether the lights for the auto be on or off.

What age is this for toys recommended?

3 years

What makes this toys remarkable?

Parents are also happy to find that they can be in control of the vehicle at any time.

Best toy car set for toddlers

Le Toy Van Retro Subway

Product image
8.5
Toy score
To drive
4.1
Replayability
4.1
Sustainability
4.5
Best for
  • Sturdy wooden construction
  • Wheels run fine
Less good
  • Paint scratches quite quickly

This is the kind auto that I want my child to play with. No, I want to play with it myself! Beautiful classic vehicles in soft pastel colors.

Especially with such an outspoken model it is good to have a set to be able to play with it together.

Sure, others cars also often participate in the game, but they often go out together in one way or another.

They are an Independent Toy Award winner, painted with non-toxic paint and made from renewable rubber trees.

Just the right size for small children's hands. Great quality for an affordable price.

Conclusion

Playing with auto sets is much more than just fun!

It also helps children during the healthy development of motor skills, problem-solving skills and stimulates imagination and creativity.

As you have read, there are a lot of them toys find car sets.

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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.