Best Pedal Cars

Updated January 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
BERG Toys
Buddy Pedal Go Kart
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Bottom Line

A sturdy go kart-style pedal car than can handle a wagon and tough terrain.

Pros

Can be pedaled forward or backward. Air-up wheels like a bike to give a better and more versatile ride. Car can coast without pedaling. The seat can adjust backward and forward to grow with your child, or to fit different sized kids. An older child can still use and enjoy this car.

Cons

The pedals are a little short for this car to go up hills very easily.

Hauck
Batmobile Pedal Go Kart
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Bottom Line

A sturdy pedal car that gives young Batman fans a zippy way to tear around their imaginary Gotham.

Pros

Includes a hand-brake. Can handle a lot of kid-weight – up to 120 pounds. Has an adjustable seat. Steel tube frame. Rubber tires do a better job than hard plastic. Does not take too long to put together out of the box. Well made. Worth the price. Child will likely outgrow Batman before outgrowing this pedal car.

Cons

Works best on paved surfaces and doesn't do as well in the grass as pedal cars with pneumatic wheels.

Best Bang for the Buck
Hauck
Lightning Pedal Go-Kart
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Bottom Line

This pedal car is a little less expensive than other models, but is a solid buy that can last as your child grows.

Pros

Comes with rubber wheels. Has a bucket seat that can adjust for the height of the child. Steel tube frame construction. Also comes in pink.

Cons

While the brake works, it is essentially just a metal bar that pushes against the wheel. Easy to assemble. Good construction materials. Rubber tires do a good job on several types of surfaces including grass or dirt. Well built and heavy duty.

InStep
Street Rod Pedal Car
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Bottom Line

If you want a traditional metal pedal car this is your best bet, it comes in several shapes including a hot rod and a fire truck.

Pros

Traditional pedal car for small children. Made from metal. InStep also makes a firetruck, pink car, police car, and taxi. Steering wheel works. Pedals have some adjustability. Delivers quickly. Not difficult to assemble. A durable and classic toy.

Cons

These cars are beautiful and durable, but you really need to get them for very young children, or a family just starting. They are quickly outgrown.

Fisher Price
Rock, Roll 'n Ride Trike
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Bottom Line

A good set-up for kids who are too little or just learning to pedal.

Pros

Comes with a bar attachment for an adult to push. Very versatile. Works as a rocker, a push rider, and an independent pedal car. Easy to put together. Easy to convert from one function to another. A sturdy product that does not feel cheap.

Cons

The handlebars and pedals are both a little awkwardly placed for some toddlers.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 23 Models Considered
  • 6 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 212 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    Pedal cars are similar to go-carts, although they have no motor – it’s up to the personal pedalling to control the speed. Pedal cars debuted soon after real cars took to the streets, as a vehicle anyone could drive (and could more ably afford). The first main difference in models is the age they are geared toward, with pedal cars for young kids being plastic, low to the ground, unable to go too fast, and very safe and durable. These are meant for evenly paved ground. Those for older children to adults are more built for racing, sit higher, usually are built from metal parts, and can travel over rougher terrain. Pedal car prices range from $50 to $300.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Enid
      Enid
      Editor
    • Karen
      Karen
      Writer
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    ×

    BERG Toys

    Buddy Pedal Go Kart

    BERG Toys

    Buddy Pedal Go Kart

    A sturdy go kart-style pedal car than can handle a wagon and tough terrain.

    $215
    ×

    Hauck

    Batmobile Pedal Go Kart

    Hauck

    Batmobile Pedal Go Kart

    A sturdy pedal car that gives young Batman fans a zippy way to tear around their imaginary Gotham.

    $329
    ×

    Hauck

    Lightning Pedal Go-Kart

    Hauck

    Lightning Pedal Go-Kart

    This pedal car is a little less expensive than other models, but is a solid buy that can last as your child grows.
    $115
    ×

    InStep

    Street Rod Pedal Car

    InStep

    Street Rod Pedal Car

    If you want a traditional metal pedal car this is your best bet, it comes in several shapes including a hot rod and a fire truck.
    $159
    ×

    Fisher Price

    Rock, Roll 'n Ride Trike

    Fisher Price

    Rock, Roll 'n Ride Trike

    A good set-up for kids who are too little or just learning to pedal.
    $54

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