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Thursday, December 4, 2025
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Vanquish VS4-10 Phoenix Portal RTR Review – Ready to Conquer the Rocks

When Vanquish releases a new rig, the RC crawling community pays attention—and for good reason. Known for their precision engineering, scale realism, and performance on the trail, Vanquish has earned a reputation for delivering top-tier crawler platforms. The new Vanquish VS4-10 Phoenix Portal RTR takes everything enthusiasts loved about the Phoenix straight-axle version and reworks it into a portal-driven powerhouse. With a refreshed body design, suspension upgrades, and a drivetrain tuned for crawling dominance, this rig is ready to tackle the toughest terrain right out of the box.

PRODUCT FEATURED

VS4-10 Phoenix Portal RTR
By: Vanquish Products
Kit Type: Ready To Run 4×4 Scale Trail and Crawler Truck
Part Number: VPS09019
Launch Price: $419.99
Buy: https://alnk.to/612vq4Y
Requires: 2S or 3S Lipo Battery and Charger
Visit- https://vanquishproducts.com/products/vs4-10-phoenix-portal-rtr
Watch our Phoenix RTR Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/r8XK47JGrk0
NEW MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/rc-driver-threads/

What’s Included

Inside the box, you’ll find the fully assembled Vanquish VS4-10 Phoenix Portal RTR with its striking painted body, mounted tires, electronics installed, and radio system. Vanquish includes their VT1 transmitter with digital display, a VR1 receiver, a brushed V1 ESC, and a 35T brushed motor. The truck also comes with a set of tools, an instruction manual, and AA batteries for the transmitter. You’ll need to supply your own battery pack—an XT90-equipped 2S or 3S LiPo is recommended for best performance.

Body

The Phoenix Portal makes an instant impression with its new paint scheme. The bold color palette paired with orange graphics and gunmetal bed panels gives it a modern, aggressive trail look. Scale details such as the molded grille, radiator, and taillight housings add authenticity, while the hinged body mount system makes battery access easy. Simply remove the rear clips and tilt the body forward, or slide out the large front pin to completely detach the body. Small details like inner fender liners and sealed floor pans give the truck a premium, finished feel that stands out against competitors.

Chassis

The Phoenix Portal rides on the proven VS4-10 chassis with steel C-channel frame rails for strength. A centrally mounted battery tray keeps weight balanced, though the included Velcro straps favor full-size packs over shorties. The chassis layout is clean, with thoughtful touches like a molded fuel cell and cross bracing that enhance scale realism. The low motor mount position also improves stability by keeping weight down in the chassis. Overall, it’s a solid foundation that combines strength, functionality, and attention to detail.

Suspension

Vanquish addressed one of the biggest complaints from earlier Phoenix models—shock leaks. The Phoenix Portal introduces redesigned 80mm shocks with improved cartridges for durability. Suspension links are a mix of HD lower links with metal pivot balls and lighter upper links, steering rods, and panhard bar. While some enthusiasts may wish for HD links throughout, the overall suspension performance is smooth and responsive. Combined with portal axles, the suspension setup delivers articulation and clearance that are ideal for technical crawling.

Drivetrain

The heart of this RTR is the VFD transmission, tuned specifically for portal axles. Unlike the twin transmission in the straight-axle Phoenix, this version omits selectable overdrive and dig, but gains simplified durability with machined steel gears inside both the transmission and axles. The F10 portal axles add gear reduction, increased ground clearance, and brass inserts for strength. Pre-installed portal weights in the front help keep the nose planted on climbs, while the offset front differential improves driveline geometry. Add in low-mounted motor positioning and you’ve got a drivetrain designed for rock-crawling confidence.

Electronics

Electronics include Vanquish’s proven V1 ESC paired with a 35T brushed motor, offering smooth throttle control and reliable crawling performance. The VS1 servo comes with a metal horn for added durability, and steering geometry allows for impressive 47° of angle. The VT1 radio system is a highlight—featuring a backlit digital display with adjustable endpoints, throttle tuning, and more. It’s a premium inclusion rarely seen in RTR kits. While brushed power won’t satisfy everyone, the system is reliable, affordable, and easily upgradable to brushless down the road.

Wheels & Tires

Vanquish includes three-piece beadlock wheels with Falken Wildpeak tires in their soft white compound. The beadlocks are practical for swapping tires but lack the aluminum rings seen on the straight-axle version. The Wildpeaks provide a nice balance of scale looks and trail performance, with a single-stage insert that allows noticeable tire flex for improved grip. They perform well in real-world testing, delivering consistent traction across rock, dirt, and trail conditions.

Performance

RC CrawlerOut on the rocks, the Phoenix Portal RTR proves it was designed with serious trail crawling in mind. The portal axles deliver excellent clearance, allowing the truck to glide over ledges and jagged surfaces that would hang up a straight-axle rig. The front portal weights keep the rig stable on climbs, while the redesigned shocks soak up uneven terrain without the leaks of earlier models. On steep inclines, the Phoenix shows surprising composure, clawing its way up lines that look nearly impossible for a ready-to-run crawler.
RC Crawler
The brushed motor and V1 ESC deliver a smooth throttle feel, though some drivers may miss the punch of brushless power. For technical crawling, however, the brushed setup offers surprisingly good control and reliability. Steering is another strong point—the Phoenix’s 47° angle means tight turns on the rocks and sharp maneuvering through gates. On descents, the drag brake holds fairly well, though in extreme conditions some throttle modulation is necessary. Overall, the Phoenix Portal combines Vanquish’s engineering pedigree with true trail-ready capability, making it one of the most refined RTR crawlers available today.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Stunning new body design with scale details and easy access system

Durable VS4-10 chassis with thoughtful layout

Redesigned shocks minimize leaks RC Crawler

Portal axles with machined gears and pre-installed weights

Excellent steering angle and geometry

VT1 radio with digital display and tuning options

Smooth, capable performance out of the box

Cons:

Brushed power system may not satisfy all users

Upper suspension links and steering rods are lighter spec than lowers

Beadlock wheels lack aluminum rings from previous version

Battery tray favors full-size packs over shorty packs

Wrap-Up

The Vanquish VS4-10 Phoenix Portal RTR delivers on the promise of a premium ready-to-run crawler. With portal axles, a refined chassis, and scale-inspired details, it’s built for drivers who want both performance and realism. While some compromises were made in the link setup and wheels, the overall package is exceptionally strong, backed by Vanquish’s reputation for quality. For trail enthusiasts and rock-crawling fans alike, the Phoenix Portal RTR is an exciting addition to the Vanquish lineup—and one that feels just as at home on rugged trails as it does on a display shelf.

 

 

 

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