Best Kids Electric Ride on Cars UK with Remote Control of 2022

From the cheapest to the best value for money toys parents can buy, below are the year’s top kid’s battery electric remote-control ride-on cars.

We carry out independent research, review, test, and then make our recommendations on what we believe are the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something via one of our links we may earn a commission.

Kid’s electric ride-on cars (sometimes referred to as sit-in cars) are all the rage at the moment. That’s because not only can a child drive and navigate the car themselves, but many models also come complete with parental remote control.

How cool is that?

Parents like you also have the ability to take over control at any point with your very own parental remote control.

That means your toddler or baby is never in any danger of driving off-road or into oncoming traffic since you can always intervene when necessary.

For more information, see the comparison table and buying guide below the picks. If you prefer the two-wheeled variety that also has stabilisers, check out our article on the best kid’s ride on Motorbikes. We also review the best 24V ride-on here. and the best Quads and ATVs.

Our Team’s Ride on Car Picks

Best Value for Money Ride on Car – Mercedes GT-R AMG Licensed 2020

Best Cheapest Ride on Car – BMW I8 Style 2020

Best 24V Ride on Car – BMW M5 24V Drift

Best 2 Seater Ride on Car – 24V 2 Seater RiiRoo MaxPow™ UTV-MX

Off-Roader – 24V 2 Seater Jeep Style XS3

Electric toy cars are all the rage at the moment. Cheap and cheerful electric toy cars have been around for a while. But the current generation of ride-on cars is in a different league altogether.

They now come packed with realistic features like working headlights, MP3 players, and even leather seats! Not to mention that many of them are now remote control operable. So parents can take over the controls whenever they need to.

As such, these drivable cars make for the perfect birthday or Christmas present for any child aged between 18 months and 5 years old.

And the best part is that there are now models available to suit all budgets. So whether you’re looking for a cheap electric car for your toddler or something a little more luxurious for your older child.

We’ve got you covered.

Note: Even though the age range of these cars starts at 1 year of age, they’re not designed for the child to drive themselves. Hence, the remote control function. The parental remote control is always there if you need to control the car for them until they are able to control and navigate it themselves.

Best Value For Money Ride on Car

1. Mercedes GT-R AMG Licensed 2020 (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Value for money.

Voltage: 12V.

Seats: One seat.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.

What we like: Styling is awesome and it’s also licensed. One of the closest-looking ride-ons to the real thing.

What we don’t: It’s not the largest ride-on car RiiRoo sells. No all-around suspension. Just rear.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

The Mercedes GT-R AMG 12V Battery Electric Ride-On Car is one of the top-selling kid’s cars at RiiRoo and looks even better in person.

Like most kids ride on cars, the Mercedes GT-R comes with an integrated multimedia console. This lets your little one listen to their favourite tunes as they race around the garden or neighbourhood.

You can either listen to the preset tunes on the media player or you can plug in your own USB and listen to your own music.

Note: The parental remote control is an optional extra. However, I highly recommend upgrading since it allows you to override the car’s controls if there’s any danger!

See The Mercedes GT-R AMG

The second best value-for-money ride-on car is an unlicensed one.

Cheapest Value for Money Ride on Car

2. BMW I8 Style 2020 from RiiRoo (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Value for money.

Voltage: 12V.

Seats: One seat.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.

What we like: The best styling and looks of an unlicensed ride-on car we’ve seen.

What we don’t: It can be a pain having to buy the stickers and badges separately. It’s quite a small ride on compared to other 12V cars.

Delivery: Free UK delivery available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

Now, even though the BMW I8 Style 2020 from RiiRoo. is not a licensed model (which means it doesn’t come with BMW branded stickers and badges), but it’s the best-looking and cheapest ride-on car you buy at the moment for a 12V.

We’ve looked at quite a few unlicensed ride-ons in the past and nothing even comes close to the styling of the BMW I8 Style 2020.

Unlike most ride-ons, the I8 even has a working boot! This is perfect for storing any snacks or drinks your little one wants to take with them on their journey.

Note: The parental remote control is an optional extra but I would recommend upgrading since it gives you the ability to take over if there’s any danger!

Note: You can always buy BMW badges and stickers from eBay separately.

See the BMW I8 Style 2020

Second Best Value For Money Ride on Car

3. Audi R8 Spyder Supersport (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Value for money.

Voltage: 12V.

Seats: One seat.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.

What we like: In the top 10 best-selling kids’ ride-ons for 4 years straight.

What we don’t: This is a small car for a 12V, and it’s also the older shape. However, they do have 2 versions of the newer shapes on their website.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

You just can’t keep the Audi R8 down. Not only is it one of the most popular kid’s ride-ons in history. It also still in the top 5 (based on sales) and going strong.

To be fair, the adult version of this car looks pretty sweet and who would want to hear the roar of that 450-break horsepower beast.

Now, even though this is a supercar, it’s not quite in the league of a Ferrari or Lambo. That’s probably why it’s a keen favourite with the public.

Depending on which R8 you opt for. The older version comes with 2 seat rests that really sets it off.

See the Audi R8 Spyder Supersport

Best 2-Seater Ride on Car

4. 24V RiiRoo MaxPow™ UTV-MX (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Two Seater.

Voltage: 24V.

Seats: Two seats.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds.

What we like: Even though this is a kid’s toy, it looks like a beast and drives like one.

What we don’t: To be honest, there isn’t anything I don’t like about the UTV-MX. Just ensure you have somewhere to store it as it’s much bigger than your average kids ride-on.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

The 24V RiiRoo UTV-MX gives kids all the power, fun, and style they need to get any job done. They’ll be able to go on any terrain without missing a beat, whether it’s exploring farmland or wilderness.

With two seats that hug them tight at every turn and a safety harness installed, they’ll be safe while you have complete peace of mind.

The Maxpow is the most popular 2 seater ride-on that RiiRoo sell and I think it’s because it’s a rugged two-seater that your kids will be able to take off-road without giving you any trouble.

The UTV-MX is also competitively priced when you compare it to similar 2-seater ride-ons on the market.

See 24V RiiRoo MaxPow™ UTV-MX

Second Best 2-Seater Ride on Car

5. Kids 2 Seater 12v Electric / Battery Ride on Car / Wrangler Style Jeep 4X4 Blue – Amazon

Category: Two Seater.

Voltage: 24V.

Seats: Two seats.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds.

What we like: This is a great-looking Jeep Wrangler-style kids car. The barge board and rollover cage really set it off.

What we don’t: It’s not the easiest car to put together and the instructions don’t always match the Jeep style you receive.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available, but this one is not on Prime, so you’ll have to wait 4-5 days.

This 2-seater Wrangler Jeep Style comes in different colours, however, it works out cheaper to buy it in blue.

Again, this is an unlicensed ride-on car which means it looks like a Wrangler, but it’s not. Hence the word “style” in the title.

The Wrangler is one of the most popular off-road vehicles and kids just love them!

This four-wheel drive type model includes a pair of drive motors for extra power on less-than-perfect surfaces, like grass or gravel driveways.

The double seat is suitable for two younger children, or one older child. Two-speed settings allow you to either go with more torque and a lower speed, or higher speed on flat surfaces!

So, if you’re looking for a 2-seater that’s going to be able to handle any terrain, then this is it.

See 2-Seater Wrangler Jeep Style

Best 24V Ride on Car

6. BMW Drift M5 (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: 24 Volt.

Voltage: 24V.

Seats: One seat.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and, 6-year-olds.

What we like: There isn’t a toy on the planet that will give your little one so much fun! It also has a drift mode and a portable 24V battery.

What we don’t: This is a little on the pricey side for a toy that will last them for a few years.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

Now, there aren’t many kids ride on cars that drift, but the M5 drift is something a little special.

This is a licensed BMW product, so it looks just like the real thing. It even has the same style of alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a powerful 24v battery that gives this little car some get-up and go! It also has 2 x upgraded 40W motors that go like stink (sorry a crude Brit term).

The way the car drifts is it’s powered by those motors at the back and the tyres are smooth so they don’t have the same traction as the front tyres. That’s how your little one will be able to drift.

I can guarantee you’ll see a smile permanently plastered on their face as they zip around the garden and your driveway.

See BMW Drift M5

Second Best 24V Ride on Car

7. Jeep Wrangler Style Off Road 4×4 (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: 24 Volt.

Voltage: 24 parallel

Seats: Two seats.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds.

What we like: There isn’t a more chunky great looking kids off-road like this Jeep 4×4.

What we don’t: Even though this is listed as a 24V, it is actually a 12V parallel which means when one battery is flat, the other powers the car. Not the easiest to assemble, so you may need to opt for the assembly service.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

The Jeep Wrangler Style 24V Battery Electric Electric Ride-On is a fantastic-looking, well-built ride-on with simple assembly and high-quality paintwork making it a wonderful present for any occasion that requires a unique SUV.

The ruggedness look makes this car even more appealing to kids, especially with the additional features such as working doors that open and close, an MP3 player input so they can listen to their favourite tunes as they drive around, and even a remote control so that parents can help guide them whilst they’re learning.

As I mentioned in the spec sheet above. It comes equipped with 2 x 12V batteries that work in parallel, meaning if one goes flat, the other will power the car. This is super cool if you have two kids as they can take turns in driving it.

See Jeep Wrangler Style Off Road 4×4

Best SUVs (off-roaders) Ride on Car

8. Jeep Style XS3 (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Off-roader.

Voltage: 24 Volts.

Seats: Two seats.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds.

What we like: Not only is this a 2-seater, but it is also a 24V ride-on, so it’s perfect for two kiddies to have some fun off-road.

What we don’t: It’s a shame this is licensed, because then it would top the spec sheet in pretty much every category.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

Not only is the Jeep Style XS3 powered by a powerful 24V battery, it also has 4-wheel suspension and 2 x 50W powerful motors at the back. This means they’re unlikely to get stuck or get into any trouble while they’re off-roading.

The comfortable seats are perfect for 2 kids, and they can even bring their favourite toys along with them as there’s plenty of space in the back underneath the dummy spare tyre.

See Jeep Style XS3

Best Classic Ride-on Car

9. Classic BMW 507 Licensed – Amazon

Category: Classic.

Voltage: 12 Volt.

Seats: One seat.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.

What we like: There isn’t a better-looking classic car for kids than the 507.

What we don’t: It’s quite small both inside and outside.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

Probably the easiest kids ride on to assemble, the Classic BMW 507 is a work of art. It’s one of the best-looking cars on the market, and it comes with all the features your child needs to have hours of fun.

Powered by a 12v battery, it has working headlights, an MP3 player input so they can listen to their favourite tunes as they drive, and even a remote control so that parents can help guide them whilst they’re learning.

It’s also worth noting that this car is incredibly well-made. The attention to detail is superb, and the paintwork is top-notch. It really is a stunning piece of kit.

See Classic BMW 507 Licensed

Best Most Fun Ride on While They Look Good

10. Licensed Lamborghini SVJ 24V Drift (Remote Control as an Optional Extra)

Category: Most Fun.

Voltage: 24 Volt.

Seats: Two seats.

Ages: For 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6-year-olds.

What we like: Frankly, everything. Not only is this licensed, but a two-seater and is also 24V. It also drifts like the BMW M5!!

What we don’t: There’s nothing we don’t like.

Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.

This Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is a true “driftmobile.” Now, that’s not a word, I just invented it 🙂 That’s how good this car is.

Likely one of the fastest ride-on cars in its category, the SVJ can reach speeds in excess of 6mph.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This isn’t the cheapest ride-on you’ll ever buy, but your kids are gonna have so much fun you’ll wonder why you didn’t purchase this for them sooner.

I mean, just look at it. It’s gorgeous. And it drives like a dream. It’s got two powerful motors (24v) so your kids will be zipping around in no time. But the best bit is that it drifts. Yes, you read that right. This car actually drifts like the BMW M5.

How cool is that?

See Licensed Lamborghini SVJ 24V Drift

Ride on Car Comparison Table

Ride on Car Buying Guide

The Difference between a Licensed and Unlicensed Ride on Car

Did you know there was a difference between a licensed and unlicensed ride on cars? If you’re not sure what that difference is, then don’t worry.

I’m here to explain it all.

Licensed Ride on Car = The car brand has granted the manufacturer license to use the branding, badges, and styling.

Unlicensed Ride-on Car (sometimes referred to as style or look-alike) = They look like the real thing but do not have permission to use the branding, badges, and styling.

The Different Ride on Car Voltages

They also come in a range of different voltages from 6V, 12V, 24V, and 36V. The most popular are the 12V ride-on cars. And also colours, from Black, white, red, pink, grey, and even green.

Even though they are for various ages, these ride-ons are suited for kids aged 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years old. The petrol products like quad bikes and buggies are more suited for older kids.

Note: These ride-ons are different from RC kid’s cars in the fact that kids can also sit and drive these themselves whereas typical RC cars and operated by remote control units only.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

But first, let’s break down the most popular brands…

Different Ride-on Car Brands Available

The most popular kid’s battery-operated ride-on car from a brand perspective is the Mercedes Benz. This is down to the fact that Mercedes was one of the first car brands to grant a license to Chinese manufacturers to use their brand, badges, styling, and colours.

Also, G wagons like The Mercedes G63 and G65 have been popular choices for the stars and have been shown in many newspapers and magazines.

So, with that much exposure, it’s not surprising that young kids want an electric Mercedes of their own to ride around in. Other popular brands include BMW, Fiat, Jeep, and Power Wheels (more of an American brand).

Here is a list in chronological order:

1. Audi.
2. BMW.
3. Bentley.
4. Ford.
5. Jeep.
6. Lamborghini.
7. Mcclaren.
8. Mercedes.
9. Maserati.
10. Range Rover.

Not only have we listed the top 10 best ride-ons, but we have also broken them down into four categories: Best value for money, 2-seater, 24V, and SUVs.

Also, 12V is pretty much the standard for ride-on cars, so I won’t be including any 6V ride-ons in this list.

How Long Does it Take to Charge a Ride on Car?

There are different charge rates when charging a kids ride-on car. That’s because there are different voltages.

However, most new ride-ons come with around 80-90% charge when they are delivered to your home. Now, you still need to charge them once built, but not for too long ordinarily.

The figures below are rough figures and are also improving year after year:

6v Powered Toys: Initial charge 10 hours. The regular charge is approximately 6 hours.

12v Powered Toys: Initial charge 10 hours. The regular charge is approximately 10 hours.

24v Powered Toys: Initial charge 18 hours. The regular charge is approximately 10 hours.

What’s the Difference Between a 6V, 12V, and 24V Ride on Car?

The most obvious difference is the voltage. A 6V ride-on car is going to be slower than a 12V. It will have a top speed of around 2-3 mph, whereas the 12V will have a top speed of 5-7 mph.

Another difference is the size. Generally speaking, the 6V ride-ons are smaller in size and therefore more suitable for younger kids.

And lastly, the price. The 6V is going to be cheaper than the 12V. This is because they are smaller, have fewer features, and aren’t as powerful.

So, if you’re looking for a ride-on car for your 2-year-old, then a 6V is probably the best option. But if you’re looking for a ride-on for your 5-year-old, then a 12V is the way to go.

24V kid’s ride-on cars are normally more powerful and are used for 2-seaters and drift cars. If you have a car that has a 24V battery, you will likely have a different motherboard than a 6V or 12V.

Can You Put a 24V Battery into a 12V Ride on?

Yes, you can put a 24V Battery into a 12V ride-on. However, there’s a good chance that you will also need to upgrade the car’s motherboard to a 24V motherboard as well.

This is because the 12V motherboard won’t be able to handle the increased voltage and will likely burn out.

To install, you’ll need to take it apart and use an alligator clip wire from the 24-volt battery to connect to the power input. For removal, install in reverse order.

Ride on Car Battery Maintenance

Initial Charge

The first thing you need to do once you have assembled your ride-on car is charging it as per instructions. As I mentioned earlier, these days you won’t need to charge it as long as you used to.

However, if it’s been sitting in the box for a while, or if it’s a second-hand ride-on car, then you may need to charge it for longer.

Unplug the battery when not using

This is important for two reasons. Firstly, when the battery is not being used, it will slowly discharge. So, if you leave it plugged in, it will eventually die.

Secondly, when the battery is plugged in and not being used, it can overheat. So, always unplug the battery when the ride-on car is not being used.

Charge every month of every other month in not in use

To maintain your battery life strength, always charge the battery every month or every other month. This will keep the battery conditioned and reduce the risk of it dying prematurely.

If you don’t do this, when you come to use the car after several months and charge it, you may find that the battery won’t take a charge or doesn’t hold a charge for very long.

It might be a good idea to either purchase an extra battery or opt for a battery warranty (if that’s available from the retailer) when buying your ride-on car.

Use the right charger

There are two types of chargers, fast and slow. A fast charger will charge the battery quicker but can also damage the battery if used too often. A slow charger will take longer to charge the battery but is much better for the health of the battery in the long run.

Also, don’t use a 24V charger to charge a 12V car battery and vice versa. This will damage the battery.

Don’t overcharge

This is probably the most important tip when it comes to prolonging the life of your battery. Never, ever overcharge your battery.

For example, a lot of people are under the misconception that you need to charge the battery overnight. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

In fact, charging your battery overnight is one of the worst things you can do as it will damage the battery.

On most chargers, there is a small red or green LED light. When the charger is charging it will show a red LED. Once it’s finished charging, the LED will turn green.

So, once the LED has turned green, unplug the charger and remove it from the battery.

Ride on Cars for Older Children

The cars we have reviewed have mainly been for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-year-olds. This is because of the size of the interior and the weight the car can hold.

If you have older children aged 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 years of age, then we recommend opting for a petrol ride-on like a quad, buggy, or motorbike instead.

This is because they have been designed for older children and can hold more weight. They are also faster which is perfect for the thrill-seekers out there!

When it comes to choosing a petrol ride on, we recommend going for one with a bigger engine. This is because they will be able to reach higher speeds and have more power to climb hills etc.

A good engine size to go for would be around 50cc.

As with electric cars, always make sure you read the reviews before purchasing and that the model you choose is age-appropriate.

FAQs