The RC car is a classic toy that children and adults of all ages can enjoy. The Deerc Brushless H16E Off-Road Truck shrinks the targeted age bracket a little by swapping out low-grade plastic components with a metal driving system and realistic components that send this fast-moving four-wheeled beauty cruising away.

I’m not entirely sure what I expected when I unpacked the Deerc Brushless H16E RC car, but I was a little surprised that the truck came nearly fully assembled. I thought I’d get some hands-on time with the all-metal parts, but save for having to charge the battery and screw in two minor components, the brushless truck is good to go out of the box. The instructions give a lot of detail as to the full assembly process, but that’s mostly for hobbyists looking to tinker and upgrade or if repairs need to be made.

Though this may be an RC car, it feels less like a toy once you power it on. The 1:16 scale four-wheeler is equipped with a motor fan, oil-filled shocks, and a brushless ESC to power the steering servo. Once you look past the intentionally flimsy removable shell, you’re treated to high-end, working components that help the truck achieve 28 to 31 mph on the included 2S LiPo battery. Upgrade to a 3S LiPo battery, and you can bump those speeds up to 42 to 46 mph.

Using the RC truck itself is fairly easy. Undo the four clip-in locks to remove the shell and install the battery, then turn the brushless ESC on to power the unit. The real trick is getting used to the transmitter, which is a handheld remote with an awkward steering component, a touchy throttle, and two throttle settings of 70 and 100 percent. It takes some time to coordinate your movements to send the truck speeding away, and you definitely want a big open space with nothing valuable surrounding you. I did have my fair share of mishaps as I got used to the transmitter, but the truck held up far better than my walls.

After just a few minutes of use, I was reminded that this isn’t like the simple, fragile RC cars I grew up with. The motor kicks in the moment the throttle is engaged, sending the off-road beast zooming in whatever direction it’s pointed. You could easily gather a few of these speed demons together, and run thrilling, high-stakes tournaments. That is if you don’t mind spending $169.99 for this speedster at the risk of crashing. If this price point seems a bit too steep, you can also apply a $35 coupon to your purchase from now until November 7th.

Deerc’s Brushless H16E RC car is a fun gadget to pick up and tinker with often. The truck’s top speeds are impressive, and the components glimmer with a premium sheen that you simply don’t expect from an RC car. The initial price tag definitely narrows down the target audience, but the limited time coupon helps justify this expense as well as the moment you get behind the wheel. Whether you’re considering buying this for yourself or as a gift, this is a product you don’t want to overlook too quickly.