We’re Obsessed With LEGO Car Kits. These are the Best to Give—Or Gift Yourself—This Holiday
As an automotive writer and a LEGO connoisseur, here are 18 car LEGO sets to check out for your little ones (or, of course, yourself).
Ever since LEGO sold its first stud-and-tube set in 1958, LEGO sets have been a hot commodity. When the company partnered with bigwigs like Disney (and therefore Star Wars) and Harry Potter, there were even more LEGO sets to choose from. My favorites, though, are the Lego car partnerships with automakers like Ford, Porsche, McLaren, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Fiat, and more.
There are big LEGO car sets with cars, giant Technic sets of race cars or classic off-roaders, smaller sets that come with race tracks or victory lanes, and sets that include movie cars, like the 1992 Ford Explorers from the first Jurassic Park or the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance from Ghostbusters. You can even build the Ford Anglia that Ron Weasley flew.
Whatever you’re looking for, there’s likely a car set that’ll feed your child’s (or yours) need to get their hands on a blocky car. As a self-proclaimed LEGO expert and car enthusiast, here are my suggestions for the car lover in your family.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
My History with LEGO Car Sets Runs Deeper Than Just a Love for Bricks
Growing up on the East Coast, my dad’s job had the best reaction from the class on Career Day. I got to say, “My dad works for LEGO.” As I grew up, I ended up at LEGO, too, working various roles. Needless to say, there was no shortage of LEGO in my house.
Nearly every year until my dad’s death, he gave me a LEGO set for Christmas. One year, he didn’t, and I was so mopey over this breach in tradition that the following year, he gave me a Little Mermaid DUPLO set for toddlers. I was about 30 at the time, if memory serves me right.
Not to kick off a holiday gift roundup on a morbid note, or anything, but traditions are important – keeping memories alive and all that. There have always been LEGO sets under our Christmas tree (and on it, with ornaments dating back to the early ‘80s, and around it, with various holiday decorations that have accumulated over the decades).
Unfortunately, LEGO car sets weren’t quite as popular when I was a kid, but fortunately, they’re a universal love language, with new options hitting the market all the time. Also, fortunately, I’m something of an expert on the topics at hand — LEGO, cars, and LEGO cars — so it’s a true pleasure to pull together a list of the best LEGO cars for holiday gifts.
First, Some Notes and a Sort of Disclaimer
A couple of notes, first — the younger age groups in this list are based loosely on LEGO’s age recommendations — toddlers, younger kids, and then ages 9 and up. Parents, these are great group activities and learning opportunities, as long as you’re not giving a young child access to parts that are too small to be safe.
And on the group activity note, we didn’t break the younger age groups into separate recommendations for boys and girls. LEGO doesn’t, and we love them for that. (The separate boys and girls recommendations for older kids are inspired by kids I know, and also an excuse to include more awesome sets in this list.)
Let’s Start Small: Stocking Stuffers and All-Ages Gift Swaps
These are LEGO gifts that don’t require any sort of assembly; they’re just LEGO-themed gifts that are perfect for keeping on an office desk, a shelf among your other larger Technic sets, or on your gaming setup. They’re for the LEGO in all of us—old or young.
F1 Collectible Race Cars ($4.99, ages 6+): How cute are these? I literally cheered out loud when I saw a big display in a Meijer in Michigan. LEGO has done blind-bag collectible minifigures before, and considering the popularity of the format, I think the company has exercised admirable restraint in not using it for, well, a whole bunch of stuff. These are perfect for nearly all ages, and the recipient doesn’t even need to be an F1 fan to appreciate the adorability.
Minifigure Factory ($11.99, ages 6+): We’re pushing our luck, and yours, putting a customizable option on this list, but it’s worth it even if you run out of time for this holiday season and tuck it away for future reference. If you want your loved ones to feel truly special, order up their LEGO doppelgänger. We see this as a wonderful complement to the LEGO cars on this list that follow, because what kid doesn’t want a toy version of themselves in their new toy car? Currently, the minifigure design menu doesn’t offer racing helmets, but there are uniforms and headsets, and the like. You can make it work.
Race Cars Book ($29.99, ages 7-12): This book offers up design and inspiration for LEGO race cars, and also includes plenty of LEGO bricks and a three-foot stretch of track to test your mettle. I’d put this in a family Secret Santa gift swap. In fact, I am almost certainly putting this in the family Secret Santa gift swap.
Toddlers Have Fun Options, Too
These sets are great for little hands that want to use them to build something cool, without the pressure of getting it exactly right or having to follow overly complicated directions. It’s a fun, interactive way to introduce growing minds to the idea of what building a LEGO set involves.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Car ($19.99, ages 2+): My son, Lincoln, has outgrown DUPLO, but he was a connoisseur of the Mickey Mouse sets just a few precious years ago, so I let him help me choose this set for our list. I can do without the clubhouse (I see you, other parents of Mickey-obsessed kids), but I love the car and the wrench.
Ice Cream Trip with Bluey ($29.99, ages 2+): This DUPLO set includes not only Bluey and Bandit Heeler figures, but the Heelers’ awesome little orange SUV. This set is perfect for “Bluey” fan families in general, but LEGO’s designers also nailed the fab little Aussie vehicle that inspires a silent cheer whenever it pops up on my own TV.
Cars and Trucks Brick Box ($49.99, ages 1.5+): I LOVE this set, and in my opinion, its only flaw is that there isn’t a similar box for older kids. There are diverse minifigures, there are several car platforms, and there are enough bricks that kids can play together.
Older Kids Have a Lot to Choose From
I picked these for kids who, after building a few DUPLO sets, want a bit more of a challenge and to feel pride in finishing a building project that they can play with afterwards, too. Thankfully, like the aforementioned sets, the instructions aren’t frustratingly difficult to follow.
Red Sports Car ($9.99, ages 5+): Sometimes a sports car is just a sports car, absent any licensing. This small, affordably-priced set is perfect for that, and it’s a great choice for both new LEGO fans and for kids who want to perk up an existing LEGO collection.
F1 Williams Racing & Haas F1 Race Cars ($19.99, ages 4+): This set has two cars and two minifigures; it’s a great price, and it can stand on its own or be part of a larger LEGO gift. And honestly, it’s kind of hard to beat at this price point.
Bluey’s Beach & Family Car Trip ($29.99, ages 4+): Hey, the Heeler family’s sweet SUV is back, except in this set, you get to build it! And there’s a roof rack for surfboards on top! This set includes Mama Chili and kiddos Bluey and Bingo. They must have left Bandit at home while they enjoy this lovely beach for a girls’ day out. Rock on, Chili.
Here Come the Cooler Sets for Elementary-Aged Kiddos
These are the closest to “grown-up” sets that help elementary and middle-school-aged kids gain more confidence in their building skills (and patience). The building instructions are longer and more in-depth, so it’s both a mental and physical challenge. The finished product is more detailed, too, so the reward is worth the work.
Audi S1 e-tron quattro Race Car ($26.99, ages 9+): There are a handful of sets in the LEGO Speed Champions line at this price point, but the Audi S1 e-tron quattro is our favorite. Even at brick scale, it’s as cool-looking as the real thing, and it’s a great model whether you want to play with it or simply display it.
Mercedes-AMG G 63 & Mercedes-AMG SL 63 ($44.99, ages 10+): This set pairs two Mercedes legends, with an impressive amount of detail, as well as two hilariously on-point minifigures. Your kids are probably going to crave a G-Wagen sooner or later anyway, right?
Aston Martin Valkyrie ($64.99, ages 9+): For those unfamiliar with LEGO’s Technic line, they’re more expensive because they’re far more detailed. This Aston Martin may be a bit challenging for a kid who hasn’t yet attempted this type of LEGO build, but the moving parts will actually teach kids about a car’s inner workings.
For the Growing Girl Car-Lovers, Here Are My Picks
I picked these sets because they feature adorable woman drivers, which helps show girls that they can not only like cool cars but drive them, too, fostering confidence and a sense of wonder. Plus, the sets are detailed, fun, and will fit perfectly on a nightstand or shelf. I picked one for my niece, too.
Land Rover Classic Defender ($14.99, ages 8+): This affordable Land Rover model is bright, cheerful, and accompanied by an adorable female minifigure. There are few things cooler than a girl off-roader, so why not take this holiday gifting opportunity to inspire your favorite up-and-coming builder?
2 Fast 2 Furious Honda S2000 ($26.99, ages 9+): LEGO nailed the details here in all the subtlety afforded by the brick format — the S2000’s graphics, Suki’s awesome pants, but you don’t have to be a fan of the movies to appreciate this set’s sense of fun.
Ford Bronco SUV ($64.99, ages 9+): The LEGO Bronco lands in the girls’ category in honor of my niece, Grace. She’s obsessed with Broncos, and a car enthusiast’s first favorite car is something to celebrate and remember. This Technic set will teach and inspire all at the same time.
I Saved the Best for Last: For Us Adult Brick Lovers
LEGO saves the best sets for those with the purchasing power: adults. The sets for kids are cute, and all, but the sets for adults are larger, more detailed, and there are more options from movies, shows, and racing series. Therefore, they’re more expensive and complicated, but the finished set makes you feel like an engineer.
Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile ($149.99, ages 18+): Various LEGO versions of the Batmobile have come and gone, but this might be one of the coolest-looking so far. It’s based on the 1966 TV series and, as such, not quite as blacked-out as the Batmobiles we’re used to seeing. That’s great for LEGO, because the lovely red trim means this model will stand out nicely on your display shelf.
Mario Kart — Mario & Standard Kart ($169.99, ages 18+): If I get this set for my husband for Christmas, it’ll drive my five-year-old bonkers — though it might actually inspire him to sit down, calm down, and help Dad for more than a few minutes at a time. This Mario Kart model is a great display piece for the ‘80s or ‘90s kid in all of us.
McLaren P1 ($449.99, ages 18+): Oh, you want a supercar for Christmas? Join the club. The price of this Technic McLaren P1 is on the indulgent side, for sure, but it is the season for giving, after all.
Of course, there are more sets to possibly choose from—LEGO has a separate category on its website specifically for sorting through the rest to find the car sets. Some sets range from hundreds of dollars to under $20. But the point is, there’s a car set for all ages, from a wide range of interests and skill levels. Happy Holidays, and I hope this guide was helpful.
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