The Traxxas Hoss 4x4 VXL is the truck nobody talks about enough — and the one that confuses buyers the most. It sits squarely between the Rustler 4x4 VXL and the Maxx in the Traxxas lineup, costs nearly as much as the Maxx, and packs the same oversized 540XL motor. Whether that makes it a sweet spot or an awkward middle child depends entirely on what you’re trying to get out of an RC truck — and this review gives you a straight answer.
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Traxxas Hoss 4x4 VXL — Specs at a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | 90076-4 |
| Scale | 1/10 |
| Motor | Velineon 540XL, 2400 kV, 4-pole brushless |
| ESC | VXL-3s, waterproof, fan-cooled, 2S–3S LiPo |
| Radio | TQi 2.4 GHz (2-channel TX / 5-channel micro RX) |
| TSM | Included, fully adjustable via transmitter knob |
| Drivetrain | Full-time shaft-driven 4WD, Torque-Biasing Center Drive |
| Differentials | Oil-filled, sealed, limited-slip (front, center, rear) |
| Servo | #2075 digital, waterproof, 125 oz-in, plastic gears |
| Suspension | Independent double-wishbone, oil-filled Ultra Shocks |
| Wheelbase | 11.62” (295 mm) |
| Dimensions | 20.24” × 13.10” × 8.34” |
| Ground Clearance | 2.75” (70 mm) |
| Weight (no battery) | 6.3 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| Top Speed | 60+ mph (3S LiPo) |
| Tires | Sledgehammer 5.3” on 2.8” black chrome wheels |
| Body Mounting | Clipless ProGraphix (tool-free one-hand removal) |
| Self-Righting | Yes (requires 3S) |
| Wheelie Bar | Included stock |
| Battery | 2S–3S LiPo, Traxxas iD connector — not included |
| Price | ~$440–$480 |
One thing to clarify up front: the Hoss does not run the Velineon 3500 kV motor found in the Rustler or Slash 4x4. It runs the 540XL at 2400 kV — a physically larger, 4-pole motor that’s also used in the much more expensive Maxx. That detail matters a lot when you’re comparing trucks in this price bracket.
Where the Hoss Fits in the Traxxas Lineup
The Traxxas truck hierarchy at the 1/10 scale looks like this:
Rustler 4x4 VXL ($400) → Hoss 4x4 VXL ($450) → Maxx V2 ($580) → Sledge ($770)
The Hoss is best described as a Stampede on steroids — not a baby Maxx. It shares the same composite nylon tub chassis as the Slash and Stampede 4x4, but gains the 540XL motor, a Torque-Biasing Center Drive in place of a slipper clutch, an aluminum center driveshaft, and those massive Sledgehammer tires with 2.75 inches of ground clearance. Compared to the Rustler, the difference is dramatic: the Rustler sits at just 1.1” of ground clearance and is optimized for speed over rough terrain rather than bashing through it.
Over the Rustler, the Hoss wins on suspension travel, ground clearance, real off-road capability, and presence. Over the Maxx, the Hoss wins on price, weight (6.3 lbs vs 10.4 lbs — better air control on jumps), and parts availability. The sweet spot is a buyer who wants a legitimate 60+ mph monster truck, doesn’t need 4S power, and appreciates the lighter, nimbler platform. See our complete guide to Traxxas RC cars for the full lineup breakdown, including how every model in the range stacks up.
Performance — Speed, Handling & Bashing
The Hoss on 3S is genuinely fast — not X-Maxx fast, but fast enough that my first full-throttle run across a parking lot had my heart rate up. At stock gearing (21/50), Traxxas claims 60+ mph, and real-world GPS runs by community members consistently hit 57–62 mph on a quality 3S 5000mAh pack. With a pinion swap to 23 or 25 teeth, some owners push into the 65+ mph range, though heat becomes a concern beyond 23T.
What makes the Hoss feel different from the Rustler — and honestly from most bashers at this size — is the torque delivery. The 540XL motor pulls wheelies effortlessly and launches off jumps with authority. On dirt, gravel, and loose soil, the Sledgehammer tires dig in and the Torque-Biasing Center Drive keeps power intelligently distributed. The truck tracks straight at high speed better than many 1/10-scale bashers.
TSM helps, and it helps a lot on loose surfaces. Set around 50–70% on the transmitter knob, TSM noticeably reduces fishtailing on grass and gravel. At 100%, it’s almost too conservative — the truck feels nannied. On pavement at full throttle, dialing it back to 20–30% feels more natural. The key is experimentation: TSM is fully adjustable on the fly with the transmitter, so you can tune it mid-run.
On rough terrain and jumps, the Hoss handles big hits surprisingly well for a truck at this size. The long wheelbase and fat tires absorb landings that would send a Rustler barrel-rolling, and the self-righting feature makes bad landings a non-issue — flip the truck, hold the self-right button, and it’s back on its wheels in under three seconds.
The limits show up on high-grip pavement at speed. The Hoss is 13.10” wide with a tall center of gravity, and it will traction-roll at full speed without warning. There’s no WideMaxx option to fix this, unlike the Maxx. Keep that in mind for pavement bashers.
Build Quality & Durability
I almost bought the Maxx instead of the Hoss, but went with the Hoss and I don’t regret it. The Maxx is a beast, but the Hoss is more manageable, cheaper to maintain, and honestly just as fun for 90% of my bashing sessions. The other 10% — the hardest crashes, the most sustained high-speed runs on a hot day — that’s where the Maxx’s superior construction would be nice.
The composite chassis holds up well to normal bashing. Three months of weekly sessions and the only thing I broke was one front A-arm after a full-speed curb hit. A set of RPM arms fixed that permanently — I’ve hit the same kind of obstacle since without a second failure.
That said, the Hoss has five known weak points the community has thoroughly documented:
The stock #2075 servo is the first thing that will fail. Its plastic gears strip under the torque demands of those large Sledgehammer tires, and 125 oz-in simply isn’t enough for aggressive driving. Nearly every long-term Hoss owner upgrades this within the first few months. The Ultra Shock caps pop off on hard landings — aluminum caps ($5–$12) are a day-one fix. Stock driveshafts snap under repeated 3S abuse; Traxxas’s own upgrade guide lists the steel CVD replacements as a recommended modification for all Hoss builds. The VXL-3s ESC runs hot when paired with the 540XL motor, especially in warm weather or heavy grass — thermal shutdowns happen. And the narrow track width leads to traction-rolls on high-grip surfaces at speed.
None of these are dealbreakers, and every one has a well-documented, affordable fix. The parts ecosystem is massive — you can source everything at any hobby shop or from Amazon overnight.
The truck does not include self-righting on 2S — you need a 3S pack to activate the feature. This is a minor but worth-knowing quirk.
Traxxas Hoss vs Maxx — The Big Question
This is the question on every Hoss buyer’s mind, and the honest answer is: if your budget can stretch to the Maxx, buy the Maxx.
| Spec | Hoss 4x4 VXL | Maxx V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Motor | Velineon 540XL, 2400 kV | Velineon 540XL, 2400 kV |
| ESC | VXL-3s (3S max) | VXL-4s (4S capable) |
| Shocks | Ultra Shocks (plastic body) | GT-Maxx aluminum threaded |
| Battery Max | 3S LiPo | 4S LiPo |
| Top Speed | 60+ mph (3S) | 60+ mph (4S, significantly more with gearing) |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs | 10.4 lbs |
| Track Width | 13.10” | 14.7” standard / 16.4” WideMaxx |
| WideMaxx Option | No | Yes |
| Self-Righting | Yes (3S only) | Yes |
| Wheels/Tires | 2.8” hex, 12mm | 3.8” hex, 17mm (larger selection) |
| Chassis Platform | Slash/Stampede derivative | X-Maxx-derived, wider, stiffer |
| Price | ~$450 | ~$580 |
Check Price — Hoss | Check Price — Maxx V2
Choose the Hoss if: you’re on a tighter budget, you want a lighter truck for better jump control, you prefer a 3S-only setup (cheaper packs, less heat), you’re newer to bashing, or you have limited space and want something easier to manage.
Choose the Maxx if: you want 4S headroom for future upgrades, you plan to bash hard and consistently, you want aluminum shocks and a WideMaxx stance out of the box, or you want the platform with the most growth potential. At only $130 more, the Maxx’s construction improvements are substantial — better shocks, wider platform, stronger ESC, larger wheel and tire options.
The community often uses a movie theater analogy: the medium costs almost as much as the large — you might as well get the large. At $130 more for dramatically more capability, the Maxx is a legitimately hard value argument to ignore.
Traxxas Hoss vs Rustler 4x4 VXL
The Rustler 4x4 VXL at ~$400 is a faster truck in a straight line — it’s lighter, lower, and optimized for speed with a more aerodynamic stadium truck body. At 65+ mph stock, it edges out the Hoss on top speed. On pavement and tight track-style courses, the Rustler feels more precise and stable.
The Hoss wins everywhere else. Its 2.75” of ground clearance versus the Rustler’s 1.1” is a massive difference in real off-road conditions — rocks, roots, tall grass, and curbs that swallow the Rustler are non-events for the Hoss. The Sledgehammer tires give the Hoss superior traction on loose terrain, and the higher suspension travel absorbs landing impacts that would damage the Rustler’s lower-slung frame. If you bash exclusively on pavement or smooth surfaces, the Rustler makes a compelling case. If you bash anywhere else, the Hoss is the better truck. For something more affordable in the Traxxas truck family, our Traxxas Stampede review covers the 4x4 and 2WD options in detail.
Hoss vs the Arrma Competition
The Arrma 3S lineup offers compelling alternatives at significantly lower price points:
| Model | Brand | Scale | Power | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoss 4x4 VXL | Traxxas | 1/10 MT | 3S | ~$450 | Self-righting, TSM, ecosystem |
| Granite 3S BLX | Arrma | 1/10 MT | 3S | ~$320 | Budget bashing, value |
| Vorteks 4x4 3S BLX | Arrma | 1/10 ST | 3S | ~$380 | Speed, Smart ESC with telemetry |
| Typhon 3S BLX | Arrma | 1/8 Buggy | 3S | ~$320 | Handling, track-style performance |
Our Arrma Vorteks 3S review goes deeper on the closest Arrma competitor to the Hoss — similar speed envelope, 3S power, comparable build quality — at $70 less with the added benefit of a 100A Smart ESC and Spektrum DX3 radio with AVC traction control and telemetry. That’s genuinely impressive electronics for the price.
What the Hoss has that no Arrma can match: self-righting, the 540XL motor’s torque advantage, TSM (adjustable, on-the-fly from the transmitter), and Traxxas’s unmatched parts ecosystem. At any hobby shop in North America, Traxxas parts are on the shelf. Arrma parts often require ordering. For beginners, casual bashers, and anyone who values that parts availability, the Traxxas ecosystem advantage is real and worth the price premium. For experienced drivers who don’t need self-righting and want to save $130, the Arrma options are legitimately competitive.
Best Upgrades for the Traxxas Hoss
Durability First
Start here. These upgrades address the truck’s known weak points and should be done before anything else.
Servo upgrade is the single most impactful modification you can make. The Traxxas #2255 high-torque servo ($90–$130 on Amazon) offers a 220% torque increase over stock and is a direct drop-in replacement — check price on Amazon. If budget is a constraint, the Traxxas #2075X ($30–$45) adds metal gears to the stock design as a cheaper interim fix.
RPM A-arms ($8.95–$15.40 per pair, ~$18–$30 for the full truck) are the definitive fix for A-arm breakage. RPM’s nylon compound is significantly more impact-resistant than Traxxas stock plastic, and RPM backs them with a lifetime breakage warranty — check price on Amazon.
A bearing upgrade kit ($15–$25) replaces the stock plastic bushings with sealed steel bearings throughout the drivetrain, reducing friction and extending motor and drivetrain life — check price on Amazon.
Aluminum shock caps (Traxxas #3767 series, $5–$12) fix the cap pop-off issue immediately.
Performance Upgrades
Once the durability bases are covered, these improve the driving experience.
Steel CVD driveshafts (Traxxas #9051X front / #9052X rear, $25–$35/pair) eliminate driveshaft failures under 3S abuse. Traxxas lists these as a recommended upgrade for all Hoss builds.
Pinion gear swap from stock 21T to 23T gives noticeable top-speed gain with manageable heat increase. Don’t go beyond 25T with the stock cooling setup.
Traxxas 3S 5000mAh Power Cell battery (~$55–$65) maximizes runtime and motor performance — check price on Amazon. The Hoss doesn’t come with a battery — our RC car battery & charger guide helps you pick the right combo for your budget and runtime goals.
Cosmetic & Fun
Traxxas LED light kit (#9095, ~$45–$50) is a direct plug-and-play fit with front light bar and rear tail lights — check price on Amazon. Adds serious presence for evening runs.
Body shell alternatives: Pro-Line offers several replacement bodies in the 1/10 MT form factor. The Hoss uses a standard 11” MT body width. Hot Racing 12mm-to-17mm hex adapters ($28–$35) unlock 3.8” tire fitment, dramatically expanding tire selection.
The short version: start with the servo upgrade and RPM A-arms. Everything else is optional. Those two fixes address the two most common failure points and transform the Hoss into a genuinely reliable basher.
FAQ
Q: How fast is the Traxxas Hoss?
Traxxas rates the Hoss at 60+ mph on 3S LiPo at stock gearing (21/50). Real-world GPS runs by community members consistently land between 57–62 mph with a quality 3S 5000mAh pack. With a pinion upgrade to 23T, owners report gains of 4–6 mph, with some pushing past 65 mph. Running only 2S, expect speeds in the 35–40 mph range.
Q: Is the Traxxas Hoss better than the Maxx?
Not overall, but it depends on your priorities. The Hoss is lighter (better air control on jumps), runs a cooler 3S-only setup, and costs $130 less. The Maxx wins on power (4S ESC), shocks (aluminum GT-Maxx vs plastic Ultra Shocks), width (WideMaxx option), and long-term durability. For most serious bashers, the Maxx is worth the extra money. For lighter use, beginners, or budget-conscious buyers, the Hoss is a fun and capable truck. Check Price — Maxx V2
Q: What battery does the Traxxas Hoss use?
The Hoss requires a 2S (7.4V) or 3S (11.1V) LiPo battery with a Traxxas iD connector — the battery is not included. For best performance, run 3S; 2S works but noticeably limits speed and the self-righting feature won’t activate. The Traxxas 5000mAh 3S Power Cell (model #2872X or #2872A) is the official recommended option. Our RC car battery & charger guide covers all compatible options and which charger to pair with them — check price on Amazon.
Q: Is the Traxxas Hoss good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. TSM (Traxxas Stability Management) makes the Hoss significantly more forgiving than most bashers at this power level, and the adjustable Training Mode limits throttle to 50% — genuinely useful for new drivers. Self-righting removes the frustration of running to flip the truck after crashes. The Hoss is a large, fast, powerful machine though; it’s not a toy. For a true first RC truck, something smaller and slower is usually a better start. For a beginner ready to step up to proper bashing, the Hoss is manageable and the ecosystem support makes it easy to get help and find parts.
Q: Can you run 4S in the Traxxas Hoss?
No. The VXL-3s ESC is rated for 2S–3S LiPo only. Running 4S will immediately destroy the ESC and risks damaging the motor. The Hoss platform is simply not engineered for 4S — the stock drivetrain, shocks, and chassis aren’t built to handle the power. If you want 4S capability, you need the Traxxas Maxx, which uses the VXL-4s ESC and a significantly more robust platform. Check Price — Maxx V2
Final Verdict
The Traxxas Hoss 4x4 VXL is a genuinely fun, capable basher that earns its reputation — but it earns it in a narrow lane. It’s the right truck for buyers who want monster truck capability on 3S, value Traxxas’s self-righting and TSM features, and prefer a lighter platform for jump control. Budget $50–$80 for a metal-gear servo and RPM A-arms before your first run, and you’ll have a truck that holds up to regular abuse. If your budget can stretch to the Maxx, stretch it — the VXL-4s ESC, aluminum shocks, and wider stance represent a significant step up in durability and raw potential. And if you’re debating the Hoss against the Rustler 4x4, go Hoss for any terrain that isn’t perfectly flat pavement.
Check Price on Amazon — Traxxas Hoss 4x4 VXL
For the full picture of everything Traxxas offers, see our complete guide to Traxxas RC cars.
