Redcat Racing Ascent-18 Brushless Power Wagon Review

Redcat Racing is making serious waves in the micro crawler scene, and their newest offering—the Ascent-18 Brushless with Power Wagon body—is proof they’re not slowing down. Building on the popular Ascent-18 Scout release, this version brings a rugged new look, a few refined upgrades, and the same proven performance in a 1/18-scale package. Designed for those who want serious crawling capabilities with a bit of flair, this Power Wagon version offers high-performance electronics, improved steering geometry, and a solid chassis all for under $200.

PRODUCT FEATURED
Ascent-18 Brushless (Power Wagon Style)
By: Redcat Racing
Kit Type: Ready To Run Electric Scale 4×4 Crawler
Scale: 1/18
Launch Price: $189.99
Buy: https://bit.ly/40xAiZ0
Requires: 4 AA’s
Visit: https://bit.ly/3N9EMgO 

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Inv6DZd9RFU

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this mini rig a standout.

🔹 Body
The highlight of this model is the classic Power Wagon-style body, available in two bold colors: a rich copper-orange and a deep green. Redcat gave the body a trimmed, aggressive stance with chopped fenders and integrated mounts for both the grille and rear trim. While the overall setup is simple, thoughtful details like clear windows and a pivoting rear spin clip system for battery access add to the user-friendly design. Bonus points for those looking to swap bodies—Redcat includes extra body mounts in the box.

🔹 Chassis
Under the body lies a rugged, proven chassis that’s familiar to fans of the Ascent-18 platform. It features aluminum frame rails, compact side plates (smaller than the Scout’s), and a low center of gravity perfect for crawling. The modularity makes it a great base for customization projects, and it comes preassembled and ready-to-run (RTR) right out of the box. Simply strap in the included 2S LiPo and hit the trail.

🔹 Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension is handled by oil-filled shocks with helper springs that provide solid rebound and allow for impressive articulation. A four-link setup front and rear with composite links and metal pivot balls ensures durability under pressure. The wheels are stealthy black, wrapped in generic off-road tires that offer decent grip. While not as aggressive as the Scout’s Super Swampers, they perform well on natural terrain. And yes, no tire rub on full articulation, which is always a welcome sign.

🔹 Drivetrain
The drivetrain is a smart blend of performance and value. It features a single-speed transmission, ball bearings throughout, and composite gears inside the trans, while all-metal gears in the axles ensure durability where it counts. Aluminum spools and universal joints up front provide added reliability. Most notably, the updated high-steer front axle and knuckles significantly improve clearance and steering range—perfect for tight trail turns and rock-crawling finesse.

🔹 Electronics
Powering the Ascent-18 is a 3450KV brushless outrunner motor paired with a 2-in-1 ESC/receiver unit. While there’s a port for LED lights, this version doesn’t include any pre-installed. A 2S 750mAh LiPo battery and USB charger come included, getting you rolling right out of the box. The 2-channel transmitter with DIP switch controls lets you tweak performance settings to your liking—an appreciated touch at this price point.

⚙️ Notables
New high-steer front axle for better turning and obstacle clearance

Two bold body colors with integrated body mount design

Smaller side plates for better scale fit with the Power Wagon body

ESC has LED ports for future lighting upgrades

Priced at $190—$10 less than the Scout version

🔥 Performance

On the trail, the Ascent-18 Brushless Power Wagon proves to be more than just a pretty face. The brushless motor delivers smooth low-speed control and more than enough torque for steep inclines and technical crawling. In our tests, the steering radius was incredibly tight, letting us maneuver around rocks with ease. Even stock, the tires grip well enough to tackle mossy terrain, small ledges, and angled rock faces. After installing a few brass upgrades—steering mount, suspension links, and diff covers—the rig gained noticeable crawling confidence, staying planted in more extreme conditions. It even recovered from rollovers with ease thanks to its balanced center of gravity.

✅ Pros and ❌ Cons
Pros:
✔ Rugged Power Wagon styling with clear windows
✔ Tight turning radius with upgraded steering
✔ Responsive and smooth brushless power
✔ RTR package includes battery, charger, and radio
✔ Solid aftermarket and mod potential

Cons:
❌ Tires could offer more aggressive grip
❌ No LED lights included
❌ Composite gears in the transmission (metal would be a nice upgrade)

🏁 Wrap-Up
The Redcat Racing Ascent-18 Brushless Power Wagon is a capable, fun, and customizable micro crawler that doesn’t skimp on performance. Whether you’re a backyard basher, trail crawler, or mod-happy RC enthusiast, this little rig offers a lot for the price. With a slick new body, refined geometry, and brushless power under the hood, it’s easy to see why Redcat continues to gain traction in the small-scale crawling world.

If you’re looking for a ready-to-run rig that’s both trail-ready and project-worthy, the Ascent-18 Power Wagon deserves a serious look.

 

 

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