Traxxas Maxx Ultimate: What’s New, How It Drives, and Who It’s For

Pop the body off and you’re greeted by the Traxxas Maxx Ultimate, the latest step in the X-Truck® family. It’s a 1/10 scale monster truck that squeezes the strength and durability of the larger X-Maxx and XRT into a slightly smaller, more agile package. Out of the box, it’ll rip past 55 mph, and with optional gearing, it can flirt with 60+ mph.

You can tell Traxxas built this truck with bashers in mind—the kind of drivers who’d rather be out running packs than stuck at the bench chasing upgrades. With WideMaxx® suspension arms, GT-Maxx® shocks, and a stack of 6061-T6 aluminum pieces, the Ultimate shows up ready to bash hard. Think of it as the bridge between the Stampede/Rustler line and the heavyweight 1/5–1/6 scale X-Maxx and XRT.

So what makes this truck different once the tires hit dirt? Let’s dive into its chassis, drivetrain, handling, durability, and whether the price is really justified compared to other Traxxas monsters.

Drivetrain & Electronics

Lift the lid and the first thing you notice is the Velineon® 540XL brushless motor. It’s the same long-can 2400Kv powerhouse many Traxxas fans know well—torquey, efficient, and built to take punishment. Right beside it sits the VXL-4s ESC, fully waterproof, telemetry-ready, and happy on either 3S or 4S packs. On stock gearing with a decent 4S battery, it’ll cruise past 55 mph, and with the optional gearing, it feels even wilder at 60+ mph.

Look underneath and it’s kitted with steel CV shafts, an aluminum-housed center drive, and a Cush Drive™ spur. In plain English? You can send it hard and botch landings without hearing the dreaded “snap.” Add in splined aluminum center shafts and sealed, fluid-filled diffs, and you’ve got a setup that begs to be punished.

Battery fitment is straightforward. The extended tray swallows a single 4-cell LiPo with a footprint of roughly 180 × 50 × 48 mm, the same size as Traxxas’ 4S 6700mAh pack. Drop in a 3S if you want, but performance takes a hit, and NiMH isn’t on the menu. Curious about alternatives? We’ve collected a list here: CNHL batteries for Traxxas Maxx Ultimate.

Suspension & Handling

The WideMaxx® suspension arms immediately change the truck’s stance. And the difference isn’t just visual—the first corner you carve, you feel that extra width. The truck plants itself harder, and the usual tip-over anxiety you might have with a tall monster truck almost disappears. The confidence boost is real; you can push harder without worrying it’ll tumble at the first twitch.

At the corners, GT-Maxx® aluminum shocks do their thing. Threaded bodies, TiN-coated shafts, and dual X-ring seals might read like spec-sheet jargon, but on the dirt they mean smoother landings and way less time rebuilding shocks. Reinforced towers and aluminum pin retainers tighten up the whole system, making steering feel sharper and landings less sloppy.

Take it out on a mixed surface—say dirt jumps with patches of grass—and you’ll see why players rave. Big landings don’t bottom it out, rough terrain doesn’t unsettle it, and instead of feeling twitchy, the truck tracks straight and calm. Compared to its predecessor, it’s night and day.

Durability Test Notes

This is where the Ultimate earns its name. Everywhere you look, 6061-T6 aluminum parts replace plastic weak points—C-hubs, steering blocks, the transmission cover, even a full-length motor cradle. These aren’t upgrades you’ll need to add later; they’re already baked in.

The body uses the clipless system, which isn’t just convenient but actually tough. Molded reinforcements keep the shell from tearing, and the rear latch keeps it locked even after violent rollovers. Swapping packs becomes a one-hand job, and you don’t spend time hunting for body clips in the grass.

Front and rear bumpers, nerf bars, and skid plates do the dirty work of soaking up hits. Pair that with the Cush Drive™ and steel driveline, and you’ve got a monster that feels happy to cartwheel and come back for more. After a few bash sessions, you’ll likely see scrapes and scratches, but structurally it holds up impressively well.

Wheels & Tires

Tires can make or break the feel of a truck, and here Traxxas went with 2.8-inch black chrome wheels wrapped in Sledgehammer® extreme tires. One glance at the tread and you know they’re built for business—tall lugs, deep grooves, and a footprint that screams off-road aggression.

They come pre-glued with one-piece foam inserts, so you don’t have to worry about them ballooning apart on your first full-throttle pass. The keyed 17 mm hex hubs and aluminum nuts keep everything locked in tight, even when torque spikes off a hard launch.

Hit grass, loose dirt, or even pavement, and these tires claw in. They bite well enough off-road to keep you moving and stay composed on hard surfaces. It’s a setup that feels versatile—you won’t feel the itch to swap them out immediately.

Radio, TSM & Telemetry

The included TQi™ 2.4 GHz radio with its wireless module feels familiar, but once you hook it into the Traxxas Link app, you see the extras. Speed, temps, voltage—it’s all right there on your phone without buying extra sensors.

Then there’s Traxxas Stability Management® (TSM). Dial it down to zero and the truck feels raw, eager to break loose if you’re heavy on the throttle. Crank it up and it reins the truck in, keeping launches straighter and corners cleaner. Most drivers will find a sweet spot somewhere in the middle, where it helps but doesn’t feel like training wheels.

The 6533 receiver ties it all together with fail-safe security and telemetry ports. If you’ve got a fleet of Traxxas vehicles, you can store settings for each one, which is surprisingly handy. On the Ultimate, telemetry especially helps with gearing changes—no more guessing if your motor is cooking; you see it in real time.

Track vs Bash: How It Actually Drives

Give it wide-open dirt, and the Maxx Ultimate charges like its bigger siblings. The motor’s punch is immediate, and the wide stance keeps it controlled even as the tires fight for grip. With TSM off, it’s a handful—fun chaos if you’re experienced, maybe too much if you’re not. With TSM on, launches stay straighter and you feel more in control.

On a track with jumps and tighter turns, the WideMaxx arms and GT-Maxx shocks show their worth. Landings are soaked up without drama, and rollovers are much less common. It won’t match a purpose-built buggy for lap times, but for a monster truck, it carries pace with surprising composure.

Take it to a skatepark or a backyard ramp, and it feels right at home. Big sends, cartwheels, rough landings—the aluminum chassis and reinforced body shrug them off. Tires dig in, the driveline doesn’t flinch, and you come away impressed at how ready this truck is to take abuse.

Pricing & Alternatives

Here’s the sticking point: at around $899 USD, it’s not cheap. It costs more than the Maxx V2, yet still less than an XRT or X-Maxx. The real question is—do you want all those upgrades right now, or are you fine buying a cheaper V2 and slowly adding parts?

Plenty of drivers are already side-eyeing the $899 tag—because for just a bit more cash, you’re into XRT territory with full 8S muscle. But if you’ve ever tallied up the cost of aluminum hubs, GT-Maxx shocks, and WideMaxx arms, the Ultimate starts to make sense—it’s all there from day one.

If you’re purely chasing scale and power, the XRT or X-Maxx still hold the crown. But if you want something easier to carry, still brutally strong, and far less fragile out of the box, the Maxx Ultimate slots neatly in the middle.

Quick Setup Tips: Gearing, Temps & Maintenance

The Maxx Ultimate runs hard, but keeping it healthy is about small habits. A few that make a difference:

Gearing: Stock gearing gives you about 55 mph. Swap to the included optional pinion, and you’ll push past 60 mph—but watch those temps, especially on grass or soft dirt. More speed equals more heat.

Temps: Use the telemetry. Aim to keep the motor under 170°F (77°C) and the ESC under 150°F (65°C). If you’re hotter than that, gear down or ease off on back-to-back full pulls.

Maintenance: Every few runs, check aluminum hubs, steering blocks, and arms for play. Screws loosen over time—blue threadlock helps. Clean out the driveline channels; dust always finds a way in.

Battery care: The tray holds packs firmly, but always lock the straps before sending big jumps. Stick to solid 3S or 4S LiPos with strong discharge ratings—cheap packs sag, and you’ll feel it immediately.

Battery Fitment

The Maxx Ultimate is built for a single 4S LiPo. The tray fits up to about 180 × 50 × 48 mm, matching Traxxas’ 4S 6700mAh pack. You can run 3S, but it feels tamer, and NiMH isn’t supported. Want options beyond stock? Check our dedicated list: CNHL batteries for Traxxas Maxx Ultimate.

Who Should Buy It?

So who’s this truck really for? Honestly, if you hate wrenching and just want to rip packs without worrying about weak spots, the Maxx Ultimate feels like it was built with you in mind.

If you’re brand new and price sensitive, a Maxx V2 still makes sense—you’ll spend less upfront and upgrade later if you bash hard. But if you already know you’d eventually want the aluminum and WideMaxx parts, the Ultimate saves you the trouble and ensures everything works together from the start.

On the other end, if your dream is huge scale and 8S insanity, then the XRT or X-Maxx are waiting. But if you want a compact, tough, grab-and-go monster that feels like an X-Truck distilled, the Maxx Ultimate is the sweet spot.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Comes loaded with WideMaxx arms, GT-Maxx shocks, and key aluminum upgrades
• Strong driveline with steel shafts, aluminum center shaft, and Cush Drive™ spur
• Clipless reinforced body system—quick swaps and durable in rollovers
• Handles more planted than earlier Maxx versions; far fewer traction rolls
• Telemetry, TSM, and wireless radio support included from the start

Cons:

• Price is high for a 1/10 4S truck ($899 USD)
• No 6S or 8S support—4S only
• Paint design doesn’t appeal to everyone
• Not as massive or powerful as the XRT or X-Maxx
• Less nimble than purpose-built track rigs like 1/8 buggies

FAQ

Q: Can the Maxx Ultimate run on 6S?
A: Nope. The VXL-4s ESC tops out at 3S–4S. Throw a 6S in there and you’re asking for smoke—literally.

Q: How does it differ from the Maxx V2?
A: The Ultimate ships with upgrades most V2 owners add later: WideMaxx® arms, GT-Maxx® shocks, and a set of aluminum reinforcements throughout.

Q: Is it waterproof?
A: Yes. Both the ESC and motor are waterproof, and the chassis design helps keep debris out. Still, always clean and dry it after wet runs.

Q: How fast is it?
A: Around 55 mph stock on 4S, and 60+ mph with the included optional gearing.

Q: What should I check after a few bash sessions?
A: Keep an eye on suspension arms, shock towers, steering blocks, and aluminum hubs for loosened screws. Clean out the driveline and watch for dust buildup.