Radio-controlled cars (or RC cars) are self-powered model cars or trucks that could be controlled from the distance employing a specialized transmitter. The term RC has been used to mean both remote control and radio control, where remote-controlled includes vehicles which might be linked to their controller by the wire, but common use of RC today usually identifies vehicles controlled with a radio frequency link. This article targets radio-controlled vehicles only.

Cars are powered by various sources. Electric models are powered by small but powerful electric motors and rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or lithium polymer cells. There are also brushed or brushless electric motors. Most fuels powered models use glow plug engines, small internal combustion engines fueled by a special mix of nitromethane, methanol, and oil (generally a blend of using castor oil and synthetic oil). These are referred to as nitro cars. Recently, exceptionally large models have been introduced that are powered by small gasoline engines, just like string trimmer motors, which use combining oil and gasoline. Electric cars are often considered easier for that novice to work with in comparison with fuel-driven models, but tend to be quite as complex with the higher budget and levels of skill.

In those two categories, both on-road and off-road vehicles are available. Off-road models, which can be built with fully-functional off-road suspensions, plus a wide tire selection, can be used on various types of terrain. On-road cars, using a significantly less robust suspension, are strictly limited by smooth, paved surfaces. In the past decade, advances in on-road vehicles are making their suspension as adjustable as many full-scale race cars, today. Radio-controlled cars are available in toy grade models and hobby-grade models. The term toy or toy grade in relation to radio control cars is employed to spell out vehicles in the preassembled type generally present in discount stores and consumer stores. Sometimes these are colloquially called Radio Shack cars. Some toy-grade RC models are often found in hobby shops to try to gain some business from discount stores and interest younger users.

One with the main attributes of toy RC vehicles could be the cost. The average medium-scale toy RC car is about $50-$100 less expensive than an entry-level electric hobby class vehicle. Toy class vehicles are really simple to operate, have a relatively low danger level (top speeds are typically under 20 mph (32 km/h) (generally capable of approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) ), and are even easier to put together than the simplest hobby class ready to run vehicles (RTR's). Toy class vehicles are generally modeled after real cars, and frequently feature details that hobby class vehicles lack, like working lights, sounds, windows, opening doors and hoods, and realistic interiors on the cost of weight and durability. Some vehicles also boast working sound systems with radios or MP3 player inputs. There is also a virtually endless variety of toy RC vehicle designs, including common cars and trucks to tanks, bulldozers, and motor cycles, to increasingly odd vehicles with unorthodox designs.

Disadvantages of toy-grade RC cars are normally manufactured with a give attention to design in conjunction with reducing production costs. Whereas a hobby-grade car has a standardized motor and separate electronic components that are individually replaceable whenever they fail, toy grade cars are typically made with a nonstandard motor, nonreplaceable chassis components, and a single electronic circuit board incorporated into the design in the vehicle. This makes them difficult, if not impossible to correct, with exceptions being Nikko models and some Radio Shack models. Usually, when one component on the car fails, the whole vehicle must be discarded. Performance is poor too. Most are equipped with small, weak motors and therefore are powered by cheap alkaline or NiCad batteries which suggests their top speed is generally only 5-15 mph, with short term times before new batteries are required. Most lack any form of an suspension and the ones that feature a suspension have very primitive or rudimentary designs. Steering is commonly not proportional (with only three positions, straight, full left, and full right) and there is usually no proportional throttle either, with stopped and full power usually being the only real options. The alignment on many with the smaller cars is off and they're prone to great damage on crashing.

In the past few years, hobby-grade ready to run (or RTR) designs have become offered by every major manufacturer of radio-controlled cars, attracting many hobbyists who otherwise have purchased a pre-assembled car (ARTR or Race Roller). Vehicles of this type need no final assembly and generally, the groups are shipped painted and trimmed, requiring little or no work in the owner before they can be used (aside from purchasing and installing batteries). Several cars and trucks are presently available only in willing to run form. The growing popularity from the RTR vehicle has prompted many manufacturers to discontinue production of kit vehicles. High spec racing vehicles are generally still available or sold only as kits, and firms like Thunder Tiger, Losi, HPI and Tamiya sell kit and RTR versions using the advantages of a kit version finding yourself in upgraded parts or lower costs, respectively. Hobby-grade RC cars could cost from $80-$1500.