Most people know that the Stampede is one of the best Traxxas RC cars. But, it does come with different versions. And the most powerful one is the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL.
What’s great about the Traxxas Stampede, in general, is the fact that it comes with different versions. Actually, there are 4 versions of it.
The first one is the 2WD brushed version. This was the first Stampede that we reviewed on our website (You can check it from here).
The other one is the 2WD Brushless version that can reach more than 60 mph. And, there is also, the 4×4 brushed with a maximum speed of 30mph.
And finally, there is the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL that we’re reviewing today!
Let’s discover what are the capabilities of this RC monster in the next few lines…
Read Also: Traxxas Stampede 2WD Best Review. A Powerful Beginners RC Car?
Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL Design
The Body
Since they’re all the same RC car. Traxxas didn’t really change the shape of them all including the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL.
As you know Traxxas Stampede comes with a small body in comparison to its chassis. And unlike the Slash, the body is so thin and long that it’s not covering the wheels.
The body also doesn’t come with external or internal body mounts that can increase its protection like the Hoss.
In addition to that, it comes with 4 clips spread across the body. I hope they added a clipless body instead!
But, the only difference between this version and the other version of the Stampede is the high-resolution design.
This is what Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is great at! It has a great combination of colors that make it look so sharp.
Also, the stickers on the sides are different because they’re mentioning the model which is the “Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL”.
Concerning the headlights, like any Traxxas RC truck, they’re fake, unfortunately! But still, they have a great design. And you can have the aftermarket headlights and taillights. They’re available everywhere!
Other than that, the body looks really basic. And actually, I wish it has more equipment like the Hoss and Traxxas Maxx.
Read Also: Traxxas Hoss VS Stampede 4×4. Which One is Better For You?
Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL Chassis
What about the chassis? I see that this is where the fun begins!
Why? Because here remains the difference between the VXL version we’re reviewing today and the other versions of the Stampede!
They’re even different in structure. In fact, the motor on the Stampede 2WD is installed on the rear. On the other hand, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL has the same platform as the Slash 4×4.
This means that the same structure is there. But with different small details!
First of all, like any other chassis, the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL chassis is composed of a motor, an ESC, the servo as well as a receiver box on the right.
On the left side, there is the battery holder.
The great thing also about the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is the front bumper. It does look the same as the Slash’s bumper.
But it is higher since the Stampede’s center of gravity is higher. Well, that’s what to expect from having the same platform!
Another great thing about this Stampede is the wheelie bar!
Not any Traxxas RC car comes with a wheelie bar! But it’s ok since you can have your aftermarket one.
But, among all these features, there is one feature that the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL well knows of. It’s the wheels.
In fact, some people even call it the Stampede bigfoot!
And this is because its wheels are so big and wide in comparison to its size!
However, the other versions of the Stampede don’t have the wheelie bar especially the 2WD versions since they have the motor installed in that place!
Also, like the Slash and most Traxxas RC cars, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL doesn’t come with aluminum parts except for the driveshaft. Instead, they’re just plastic that can handle a little bit, but not too much.
So, if you’re interested in having this RC car for the long term, it’s better to have aluminum parts to increase its protection.
Read Also: Traxxas Bigfoot VS Stampede. Which One Is Better For You?
Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL Performance
Most people are used to hear that the Stampede is a 30 mph RC car. And this is because the Stampede 2WD Brushed is the most purchased since its competitive price with the Slash 2WD.
But what people don’t know is that the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is much stronger!
Because this RC Monster has the features that the high-end Traxxas RC cars have!
When it comes to performance, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL comes with a Velineon® 3500 Brushless Motor that is so powerful.
It does come also with a Velineon® VXL-3s ESC that has three driving modes. They are the Sport, Race, and Training mode.
By adding a 2-3s Lipo battery to this combination, you will have a powerful monster going wild at +60 mph. Well, you can’t that much speed without changing also the gears.
With that speed, you are now a rival of your friend that has a Traxxas Maxx at least in terms of speed (Still Maxx is better in other metrics).
You’re even able now to beat the X-Maxx in a drag race! Isn’t that amazing?
Nevertheless, speed isn’t everything! There are other factors that determine the level of performance in an RC car!
One of them is handling. So what about the handling?
Actually, despite not having a great balance between its height and wideness, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL still has great handling!
The suspension and the 4 wheel driving system also helps a lot! And by the way, the Stampede 2WD can’t have the same handling as the 4×4 VXL. Why?
Let me explain…
Unlike the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL, the 2WD version has actually a rear-wheel driving system. So, when accelerating, the front wheels get on top. At this moment, you can’t direct your vehicle anymore, so you lose control.
Fortunately, this is not the case for the 4WD VXL version since all the wheels keep touching the ground even after the acceleration.
And this is something that a lot of Traxxas RC cars can’t do. Which makes accelerating harder for them!
But, there is another major factor that helps with the handling of the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL. It’s the systems!
Read Also: Traxxas Slash VS Stampede | What’s better Traxxas Slash or stampede?
Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL Systems
Unlike a lot of other Traxxas RC cars, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL comes with a bunch of cool systems that don’t only help her with performance. But it helps you also, as a driver, make your driving easier.
The first great system is the TSM system.
Basically, this system has a great effect on the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL since it helps a lot with keeping the balance. Hence, increasing the handling.
The bad thing about that system is the fact that it doesn’t come with all the versions of the Stampede.
In fact, it does come only with the brushless versions including the 2WD VXL and the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL that we’re reviewing today.
However, the great thing about this system is that you can control how intense it is. This means that if you want to have more freedom controlling your car, you can minimize its effect, or even shut it down.
And this is just from your controller!
OR, you can increase its effect to 100% so that you enjoy your driving without struggling to keep the balance.
The other great system in the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is the Self-Righting System.
This is actually a system that we find usually in only the high-end Traxxas RC cars. But, this time, here it is in the most powerful Stampede version.
The self-righting system is a time and energy-saving feature. If your RC car has been flipped on its back because of high speed or a crash, you can get it back on the wheels using this system.
Basically, all you have to do is to click a button on your controller. Then, your Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL will start going back and forth using the power of turning its wheels until it flips back.
With this system, you don’t need to follow your RC car all the way and flip it on the wheels yourself. Now, you have an amazing feature!
There is also another system that’s called the cruise control system. This system can’t be used if you have the basic Traxxas controller.
You need the advanced one that comes with the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL!
This system allows you to get more info about your RC car’s state when driving through your phone.
You can a lot of info including the speed, the motor temperature as well as the location of your RC car.
All you have to do is to get an aftermarket device called the “Traxxas Link“. Fix it on your controller, and connect it to the Traxxas app using your Bluetooth on your phone.
And here you’re ready to go! Great, hen?
Read Also: 10 BEST TRAXXAS STAMPEDE PARTS YOU SHOULD HAVE NOW
Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL Upgrades
Upgrading the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is so easy and simple.
That’s because it has the same platform as the Slash 4×4. Hence, they have the same parts!
And as you know Traxxas Slash 4×4 parts are so available, and you can find them anywhere!
You can add the headlights, and upgrade the shocks, the suspension arms, the wheel hubs to the aluminum version as well as a lot of other parts!
With these upgrades, you can transform your Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL into an unbeatable monster capable of bashing anywhere everywhere!
And this is the great thing about having an RC car that has a lot of parts available everywhere. You have the freedom of choice!
Read Also: Traxxas Rustler vs Stampede Comparison. Which is Better?
What I Don’t Like About The Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL
Everything about this RC car is great and well built.
However, there is one thing that has bothered me. It’s the body!
The level of performance on this Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is a lot higher than what the body can withstand.
This means that a crash at a high speed can shutter the body in the first 5 minutes of unboxing this car!
By adding at least an internal cage, and an external body mount, you won’t only increase the protection of this RC monster.
But also, it will have a better look!
What I Like About The Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL
As mentioned earlier, everything about the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is great and spectacular. But what I like most is the system since a lot of RC cars don’t have all these programs working altogether!
I love also the shape of the body of this RC car despite being small. By the way, a lot of people criticize it because of its width.
However, this body has become the symbol of Traxxas Stampede. And a lot of people are fans of the Stampede because of it. And no matter how much the Stampede is developed, this body will remain the same!
Read Also: E-Revo VS Rustler 4×4 – Which is better Traxxas E-Revo or Rustler?
Final Judgement And Pricing
In conclusion, Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL is an amazing RC car, especially after all these features and power.
If you’re considering having one soon, you don’t need to wait because there is no alternative to this RC monster with these features, this performance, and this price!
The most closer alternative could be the Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL that is also a super great RC car! But the Rustler is not a high truck.
Now all you have to do is to go right and buy your next Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL!
Read Also: Traxxas Rustler 4X4 VXL Best Review. Is it worth it?
