The 124018 V2 is a sensible first proper hobby-grade car. The brushed motor gives predictable, manageable power rather than an instant lunge, which makes it easier for a nine year old to learn throttle control without the car getting away from them.

Best for: stepping up from toy-grade while keeping speed in check. Watch out for: as with any brushed buggy, suspension arms and wheels take the brunt of early crashes, so budget for the odd spare part.

What sets the H16E apart for this age group is the built-in GPS speedometer paired with a mobile app — a parent can genuinely see how fast the car is going and have an honest conversation with their child about speed limits before letting them loose on faster settings.

Best for: families who want a transparent, data-backed way to supervise progress. Watch out for: the app needs a phone nearby to be useful, so it’s less convenient for quick back-garden sessions.

This is a gentle introduction to brushless power rather than a full-on race car. The drift-tuned chassis means the back end slides progressively rather than snapping, which is actually a forgiving way for a child to learn throttle and steering coordination together.

Best for: a child who’s outgrown brushed buggies but isn’t ready for full-power brushless yet. Watch out for: the 67km/h top speed is only reached on full throttle in the fastest mode — leave that setting switched off to start with.

With a metal chassis and proper 4WD rally underpinnings, the XTS-P12 feels like a genuine step towards the hobby rather than a toy with a brushless badge on it. It’s a good car to grow into over a year or two, with real parts support if things do get bent or broken.

Best for: a capable nine year old who’s had a season on a buggy and wants something more serious. Watch out for: it’s quicker than the brushed options on this list, so it still warrants adult supervision early on.

Mechanically identical to the red XTS-P12, this blue version is currently the cheaper of the two colourways, so it’s worth checking both prices before you buy if colour isn’t the deciding factor for your child.

Best for: getting the same metal 4WD rally car for a little less outlay. Watch out for: stock and pricing on colour variants can shift, so don’t assume blue will always undercut red.

The RX12 is genuinely quick, with a potential 80km/h on 3S power — well beyond what most nine year olds need or should be using day-to-day. Run it on the lower-voltage setup it ships with and it becomes a capable, confidence-building 4WD car rather than something that outpaces the driver.

Best for: an experienced young driver who’s already comfortable on the other cars in this list and wants headroom to grow into. Watch out for: only consider stepping up to 3S power with close adult supervision and plenty of open space.