Best Ride-On Cars for Kids
Top 5 on Amazon
Our #1 pick is the Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force. A ride-on car is one of the biggest gifts you can put under the tree. We compared five popular battery-powered models on Amazon, from a budget 12V truck to a two-seat 24V SUV and a built-tough John Deere tractor.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 19, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most families with kids aged 3 to 7, the Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force is the ride-on to buy. It is a 12-volt tractor with a trailer and an FM radio, built in the USA with heavier-duty parts, and it comes with a 2-year warranty according to the listing. It has a 3-gear shifter with two speeds (2¼ and 4½ mph) and handles up to 85 lbs. It is one of the best-reviewed ride-ons on Amazon, which tells you owners are happy with how it holds up over years of play.
If you have two kids, or one big kid, look at the First Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V. It has two seats, two 3-point belts, a parent remote and three speeds up to 4.3 mph. For a Jeep look, the Power Wheels JoJo Siwa Jeep Wrangler is a licensed 12V model with a parent-controlled high-speed lockout, and it seats two. On a smaller budget, the Best Choice Products Chevy Silverado and the Costzon 12V truck both come with parent remotes for well under $250.
Skip the tractor if your child wants a fast, sporty feel, or if you need a parent remote. The Ground Force is manual only, and it tops out at 4½ mph. Skip the 24V Bronco if your child is under 3, because it is bigger and faster than a toddler needs. And skip the cheapest models if you need something that will be handed down to a younger sibling: the premium builds last longer, and spare batteries are easier to find.
How we picked: we started with the best-selling ride-on cars and tractors on Amazon, then checked each live listing for voltage, speed, seat count, weight limit and safety features, and read what owners report about them. We do not claim hands-on tests. These picks reflect the listing specs and owner feedback. Checked October 2026. Order early: popular models sell out close to the holidays.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force 12V extra-large ride-on tractor |  Best for Two Kids First Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V 24V 2-seater with parent remote |  Best Known Brand Power Wheels JoJo Siwa Jeep Wrangler 12V licensed Jeep for preschoolers |  Best Mid-Price Truck Best Choice Products 12V Chevy Silverado 12V truck with parent remote |  Best Budget Costzon 12V Kids Ride-On Truck Budget 12V truck with remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 93 / 100 | 91 / 100 | 89 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Kids 3 to 7 who will play for years | Siblings, friends and bigger kids | Kids 3 to 7 who want a Jeep Wrangler | Younger kids who need parent control | A first ride-on without overspending |
| Typical price (checked October 19, 2026) | $280–$320 | $300–$340 | $360–$400 | $230–$250 | $130–$160 |
| Battery | 12V | 24V, dual drive | 12V | 12V, up to about 1 hour | 12V, dual 35W motors |
| Top speed | 2¼ and 4½ mph | 2.0, 2.7 and 4.3 mph | 5 mph forward, 2.5 mph reverse | 2.5 mph | 1.9 to 4 mph |
| Seats | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Ages / weight | Ages 3 to 7, up to 85 lbs | Kids 3 to 8 | Ages 3 to 7, up to 130 lbs | Up to 66 lbs | Ages 3+ |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force
BeastScore 93 / 100Typically $280–$320 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Ground Force has been a best seller for years, and the reason is simple: it is built to last. The listing says it is made in the USA (with some imported parts) with heavier-duty materials and a 2-year warranty. It is extra-large, so kids from 3 to 7 can ride it, up to 85 lbs. It has a working FM radio, an adjustable seat and a real 3-gear shifter with two speeds, 2¼ and 4½ mph. The trailer clips on for hauling toys. Owners report that it holds up outdoors and passes between siblings. The trade-offs are no parent remote and a higher price than most 12V rivals.
Pros- Heavy-duty build backed by a 2-year warranty
- Two speeds, a 3-gear shifter and a working FM radio
- Extra-large, so older kids up to 85 lbs can still ride it
Cons- No parent remote, so a small toddler needs close supervision
- Maximum speed is 4½ mph, slower than the 24V models
- Costs more than most 12V rivals
- 2. Best for Two Kids
First Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $300–$340 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)If you have more than one child, this is the most practical ride-on here. It has a 21-inch dual seat with two 3-point belts, so two kids can ride together, and the 24V dual-drive motor gives three speeds: 2.0, 2.7 and 4.3 mph. A parent remote with a 98 ft range lets you take over steering, and the soft start and rear shock help smooth the ride. The listing says battery life runs from 50 minutes to 2 hours depending on speed and use. It also has Bluetooth and a built-in radio. It is a licensed Ford Bronco Raptor, which many kids recognise. The limits: the brand is less established than Peg Perego, and 24V is a lot of car for a small child.
Pros- Two seats with individual 3-point seat belts
- Three speeds up to 4.3 mph and a 98 ft parent remote
- Soft start and rear shock for a smoother ride
Cons- Bigger and faster than a 3-year-old needs
- Newer brand with less long-term owner history than Peg Perego
- Battery life varies a lot between 50 minutes and 2 hours
- 3. Best Known Brand
Power Wheels JoJo Siwa Jeep Wrangler
BeastScore 89 / 100Typically $360–$400 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)Power Wheels is the brand most parents think of first, and this Jeep Wrangler shows why. The listing says it drives on hard surfaces and grass at up to 5 mph forward and 2.5 mph in reverse. It seats two, with a total weight limit of 130 lbs, for kids 3 to 7. The safety features are strong: Power-Lock brakes stop the car as soon as the pedal is released, and a parent-controlled high-speed lockout keeps new drivers on the slower setting. The JoJo Siwa colors and graphics are divisive, so check that your child actually wants them. The main drawbacks: no parent remote, and the price is high for a 12V.
Pros- Power-Lock brakes and a parent-controlled speed lockout
- Seats two, with a 130 lb total weight limit
- Licensed Jeep Wrangler styling from a well-known ride-on brand
Cons- The JoJo Siwa theme will not suit every child
- No parent remote control
- One of the most expensive 12V models here
- 4. Best Mid-Price Truck
Best Choice Products 12V Chevy Silverado
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $230–$250 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Silverado is the sensible middle of the market. It is a licensed Chevrolet Silverado sized for small kids, with a 12V battery that the listing says runs up to 1 hour at a top speed of 2.5 mph. Kids can drive manually, or a parent can steer with the remote, which has forward, reverse, left and right. It also has a seat harness, locking doors, working headlights, a Bluetooth sound system and a truck bed for toys. At a weight limit of 66 lbs it is meant for younger kids, so older children outgrow it fast. It is the right choice for a 3 or 4 year old who needs a parent in charge for the first few weeks.
Pros- A parent remote lets you steer a nervous first-time driver
- Locking doors, seat harness and headlights
- Truck bed holds toys, and Bluetooth plays music
Cons- A 66 lb limit means older kids outgrow it quickly
- Top speed is only 2.5 mph
- About 1 hour of run time per charge
- 5. Best Budget
Costzon 12V Kids Ride-On Truck
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $130–$160 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Costzon is the one to pick if you want a ride-on that works without spending $250 or more. It has dual 35W motors and a 12V battery for speeds from 1.9 to 4 mph, with three speed settings on the parent remote and a soft start for smooth takeoffs. There is an emergency brake on the remote, lockable doors and an adjustable seat belt. Kids get LED lights, music, a horn and wireless connection. The listing says the wheels are puncture-free, and the model meets ASTM and CPSIA toy standards. Expect a lighter build than Peg Perego or Power Wheels, a smaller number of owner reviews and plastic that will not last as long if left outdoors.
Pros- Three speeds up to 4 mph with a parent remote and emergency brake
- Soft start, lockable doors and an adjustable seat belt
- The lowest price of the five
Cons- Lighter build that may not survive several siblings
- Fewer owner reviews than the better-known brands
- Lights need 2 AA batteries that are not included
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Build qualityPeg Perego John Deere Ground Force · 9.8/10
- Safety featuresPower Wheels JoJo Siwa Jeep Wrangler · 9.2/10
- Fun factorFirst Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V · 9.6/10
- Room to growFirst Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V · 9.4/10
- Parent controlFirst Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V · 9.2/10
- ValueCostzon 12V Kids Ride-On Truck · 9.6/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You want a heavy-duty build that lasts through siblings
- You like the tractor and trailer for hauling toys
- You have two kids or one bigger kid
- You want a parent remote and three speeds
- You want a well-known Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler
- You want brakes and a high-speed lockout built in
- Your child is 3 or 4 and needs a parent remote
- You want a truck for $250 or less
- You want a ride-on with a remote on a tight budget
- It is a first ride-on and may not be handed down
Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force
Built to last, with a trailer, two speeds and room for kids up to 85 lbs.
- Made in the USA
- 2-year warranty
- Ages 3 to 7
Quick tips before you buy
Match the limit to your child’s size now and in two years, so the car does not get outgrown quickly.
Use the low gear or a parent remote for the first rides, and set the high-speed lockout if there is one.
Most ride-ons need a long first charge. Read the manual, and charge the battery before the holiday morning.
A 24V two-seater like the Bronco Raptor stops fights and lasts longer than a single seat.
Quick answers
What is the best ride-on car for kids?+
The Peg Perego John Deere Ground Force is our top pick for ages 3 to 7: heavier-duty build, a 2-year warranty and room for kids up to 85 lbs. For two kids, the First Ride On Ford Bronco Raptor 24V has two seats and a parent remote.
What age is a ride-on car for?+
Most 12V models are made for ages 3 to 7 or 8. The Peg Perego tractor lists 3 to 7 and the Power Wheels Jeep lists 3 to 7. Always check the weight limit as well as the age, because small toddlers can need a parent remote.
12V or 24V: which should I buy?+
12V models are slower and simpler, and suit kids 3 to 5. A 24V model has more power, usually runs faster and can carry two kids, which suits bigger or older children. If your child is under 3 or nervous, choose a 12V with a parent remote.
How fast do kids ride-on cars go?+
Most go from about 2 to 5 mph. The listings here range from 1.9 mph on low settings up to 5 mph on the Power Wheels Jeep and 4.3 mph on the Bronco Raptor. That is walking-to-jogging speed.
How long does the battery last?+
Typically 40 minutes to 2 hours per charge, depending on speed, surface and the child’s weight. The Silverado listing says up to 1 hour, and the Bronco Raptor says 50 minutes to 2 hours. Grass and hills use charge faster than pavement.
Can ride-on cars drive on grass?+
Yes, most can, but they run slower and drain the battery faster. The Power Wheels Jeep and Peg Perego tractor both say they work on hard surfaces and grass. Flat, dry ground is best, and none of these are made for mud or water.
Do I need a parent remote control?+
For kids under 4 it is a good idea, because you can steer and stop the car. The Silverado, Costzon and Bronco Raptor all include one. Older kids who can steer and brake usually prefer manual control, and the Peg Perego and Power Wheels models are manual only.
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