Slash and Rustler come from the same manufacturer, Traxxas. So, you can imagine that these RC cars are aimed at different user profiles. While the Slash excels in some aspects, Rustler gets the nod in certain others. Which one should you pick between these two RC models? Have a look at our Traxxas Slash vs Rustler breakdown for a better idea.
You get more ground clearance in Slash, so it can navigate rocky terrains better. It has a bulkier build, so you can expect it to be more durable than the Rustler. But if you are after a genuine speed star, put your money on the Rustler. You can hit some phenomenal speeding landmarks with the Rustler and its lower ground clearance helps it take turns with cruise control.
But, these are not the only differences between these two vehicles. Let’s find out what other factors set them apart.
Traxxas Slash Vs Rustler: Side By Side Comparison
Criteria | Traxxas Slash | Traxxas Rustler |
| Top Speed | 30mph+ (2WD) 60 mph+ (4WD) | 35mph+ (2WD) 70 mph+(4WD) |
| Self Righting Technology | No | Yes |
| Size | 22.36’’x11.65’’x7.60’’ (4WD) | 18.78’’X12.94’’X6.35’’ (4WD) |
| Ground Clearance | 2.83’’ (4WD) | 1.1’’ (4WD) |
| Design | Short Course Truck | Stadium Truck |
Traxxas Slash vs Rustler: What Makes Them Different?
1. Top Speed
Traxxas Slash
The 2WD version of the Traxxas Slash can cross the 30 mph mark. With the 4WD edition, it’s possible to race beyond 60 mph. To go faster than 60 mph with the Traxxas Slash, you would need the help of 3S batteries. You must also pair up a 19-T pinion gear with a 54-T spur gear to achieve that speed.
Traxxas Rustler
The Traxxas Rustler is faster since it’s more lightweight and has less ground clearance. With the primary 2D model, you can reach 35mph+. Hook up the 4WD edition with a 3S battery, 76-T spur gear, and 19-T pinion gear to make it go faster than 70 mph. Want a faster car? Traxxas Rustler is the one to pick, then.
2. Design
Traxxas Slash
The Traxxas Slash is a short-course truck by design. It has been designed to race on short-length off-road courses and modeled after real-life off-road vehicles. The Traxxas Slash will run like a cheetah on asphalt and cement surfaces. But, thanks to its generous ground clearance, bumpier roads will not be able to tame it.
When you are racing off-road, you would want a durable RC. With its meaty bumpers and arch-protected tiers, the Traxxas Slash is out there to take out its competitors from the road. You can hit rival RCs with incredible pace and knock them off course without picking up a dent. The Traxxas Slash is the bashing king.
Traxxas Rustler
The Traxxas Rustler is a stadium truck. It has a wider chassis and a more lightweight build. It does not make it the best car for bashing. It can easily trip over when a behemoth like the Traxxas Slash hits it at top speed. But, the Rustler is incredibly fast because of its structure and low weight. Also, it’s far easier to control.
Wider tracks result in better weight distribution. And better weight distribution is key to maintaining stability at high speeds. The broader wheels also provide excellent traction, especially on indoor surfaces. The Rustler can’t compete with the Slash in terms of rivalry, but its lighter build does hand it some advantages.
3. Self-Righting Technology
Traxxas Slash
Traxxas Slash comes with a lot of perks. Unfortunately, self-righting is not one of them. If the Slash flips over during racing, it will not get back on wheels unless someone walks over to it and manually flips it over. It will cost you valuable seconds that could prove decisive in a race. If you want to self-right, Slash is definitely not the right choice for you.
Traxxas Rustler
Traxxas has used self-righting technology on the Rustler. So, if your Rustler flips over, it will flip right back and resume racing. Even if you are far away from the vehicle, you won’t have to worry about your RC car flipping. This is a big plus for avid RC racers. Many RC enthusiasts would prefer the Rustler over Slash only for this reason.
4. Size
Traxxas Slash
The Traxxas Slash is the bulkier of the two. The 4WD version is 22.36 inches long, 11.65 inches wide and 7.65 inches tall. It also weighs slightly more than the Rustler. The 4WD Slash weighs about 5.84 pounds.
Traxxas Rustler
The Traxxas Rustler is smaller. It measures 18.78 inches in length, 12.94 inches in width and 6.35 inches in height. The weight is only 5.12 pounds. It’s wider than the Slash, which allows for better aerodynamics.
How else does the size influence the performance of these two cars? The Slash is the bigger car, so it is better for bashing. It’s heavier, so it won’t flip over easily. That’s why Traxxas did not provide self-righting with the Slash. But the bigger size and heavier weight are not ideal for speeding and controlling. The Rustler gets the edge in those respects.
5. Ground Clearance
Traxxas Slash
Traxxas Slash offers 2.83 inches of ground clearance. For this particular reason, it is better for off-road driving. Since you get more space between the racing surface and the car body, it’s unlikely that the road conditions would hinder your driving. However, it does make it challenging to take swift turns without decelerating.
Traxxas Rustler
The ground clearance in the Traxxas Rustler is only 1.1 inches. It makes off-roading more troublesome, but the low center of gravity pays dividends elsewhere. You get more stable driving control. It’s also easier to make jumps as the shock absorption is better for the lower profile.
Final Words
Traxxas Slash vs Rustler is a comparison between two different RC profiles. Each has its ideal scenario where it’s superior to the other. If you want a vehicle that can master short-course off-roading, the Slash should be the one you trust. If you want a speed demon that can ace the indoor tracks, keep your faith in the Rustler.
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