12V 2 Seat Licensed Toyota FJ40 Kids Ride On Car, 2.4G Remote with Brake, 3 Speeds, 14 Inch Wheels, Red

On a plain ride-on the only brake is the child's own foot coming off the pedal. If they freeze, or steer towards the flower bed, an adult has to run and grab the bumper.

This model ships with a 2.4G remote carrying forward, back, left, right, three speed settings and a dedicated brake. The manufacturer rates the link to 65.6 ft, which reaches across most yards.

Out on the driveway

The car sits low and wide with 14 in wheels at the corners. Two children ride level with each other, which keeps the weight centred and the steering predictable at the speeds this thing does. Wide set wheels and a low seat keep it steady when a child leans into a turn.

The remote that comes in the box

A palm sized handset with a blue pad. Forward, back, left, right, three speeds and a brake. It needs two AAA cells that are not included, so buy a pair before the first afternoon.

Belts, locks and overload cut-off

Three point belts on both seats, door locks so a passenger cannot swing a door open mid ride, and overload protection in the wiring. The maker also fits a slow start to soften the pull away.

Measure before you buy

49.6 in long, 30.7 in wide and 31.1 in tall. A car this size wants a driveway rather than a patio, and it wants a storage bay. The drawing also notes the two carton delivery.

A dedicated brake button on the handset, separate from the direction pad.

Low, medium and high on the remote, so an adult can cap the pace for a new driver.

One on each seat, with door locks and overload protection listed alongside them.

Spring suspension at every corner under 14 in non-slip wheels.

Speed builds instead of arriving at once, which the manufacturer charts on its own panel.

USB port, FM radio, wireless connection button, volume and a power display beside the driver.

Room behind the seats for snacks or a couple of small toys.

Built into the body for moving the car when there is no power left.

Ships from a Canadian warehouse in two cartons that may not arrive on the same day. Free shipping on orders over $150. Some remote areas, PO boxes and surcharge regions may be excluded or cost extra.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

Start on the remote's low setting with the child's foot off the pedal, and hand over control when they look ready.

A brake you hold in your hand is worth having anywhere the ground falls away or a gate might be open.

Two belted seats and a 130 lb combined capacity. Weigh both children together rather than one at a time. Both belts are three point, so a smaller passenger is held at the shoulder as well as the lap.

What we stand behind

• Speed, capacity, age range, battery, charge time and the 65.6 ft remote distance are all the manufacturer's published figures.
• The Toyota FJ40 shape is described by the manufacturer as licensed. We claim nothing beyond that.
• The record does not say the remote overrides the pedal, so we do not say it does.
• No safety certification number is published on this record, so none is quoted.
• A toy for supervised play on private property. Never on a road, a sidewalk or a bike path.

Does the remote override the pedal?

The manufacturer lists a remote with a brake and three speeds but does not state that it takes priority over the pedal, so we will not claim it does. Some models in this category do and say so plainly. Treat the remote as a second set of controls and stay within its 65.6 ft range.

What batteries does the remote take?

Two 1.5 V AAA cells, and they are not in the box. The car's own 12 V 7 Ah battery and its charger are included.

How fast will it go with two children in it?

The published range is 1.9 to 3.1 mph. Extra weight brings real world speed down rather than up, and it shortens the run per charge.

What is the age and weight limit?

3 to 8 years and 130 lb, both stated by the manufacturer. The weight figure covers everyone in the car at once.

Will the 14 inch wheels cope with gravel?

They are wear-resistant plastic wheels rather than rubber tyres, so loose gravel will scrabble. The maker's own surface list is rubber track, cement and brick. Terrain guides say foam or rubber tyres are what make gravel workable.