7 Best Power Wheels for 9 Year Olds

A Power Wheels vehicle can be one of the most entertaining toys that your child will experience. However, to get the most out of your purchase, it is important to choose a Power Wheels vehicle suitable for your child's age range.

The best Power Wheels vehicle for a 9-year-olds is the First Drive Slingshot. Designed to accommodate older kids' weight while also providing real-world style features—such as functioning headlights—it is ideal for the 8 to 10-year-old market.

This article will provide you with key information on the First Drive Slingshot and six other Power Wheels models that offer appeal in terms of safety to parents and entertainment from the point of view of a 9-year-old child. If you are undecided about which Power Wheels are best for your child (depending on age), read on, and discover the pros and cons of the best models on the market.

What To Consider When Choosing a Power Wheels Vehicle

When deciding on what Power Wheels model is best, you need to consider more than superficial appeal. Yes, all Power Wheels are designed to look impressive and emulate the real-world model that they are based on in terms of aesthetics. However, as a parent, you need to weigh other factors to arrive at the best model. You need to consider safety, practicality, and the specific characteristics that your child enjoys.

The following are detailed areas that you needed to analyze to ensure the safety and satisfaction of your child with the Power Wheels model that they choose

Suggested Age Range

The first factor to consider is the age of your child. Power Wheels are manufactured to accommodate a wide age range. Some models are suitable for children as young as one year old and others for children as old as 11.

A Power Wheels model designed for a one-year-old will not be a practical choice for a nine-year-old child. The Power Wheels models' size and shape are specifically designed to accommodate children in different age ranges as they grow.

When choosing a specific Power Wheels vehicle, it is best to select a model that accommodates your child's growth and development. If your child is toward the latter stage of the recommended age range, there is a good chance that your child will outgrow the model quickly.

As a result, the first filter that you should apply when researching and screening Power Wheels for a 9-year-old is the recommended age range. Fortunately, Power Wheels is efficient at making this designation clear on its packaging and online descriptions.

Maximum Load Capacity

Along with the recommended age range, you also need to consider the maximum load capacity for the Power Wheels vehicle that you are selecting. To do so correctly, you need to consider not only the current weight of your nine-year-old but also how much you anticipate your child to grow in the next year or two. That is the realistic timespan that your child will be using the vehicle.

It is also important not to neglect other load factors that your child's play pattern may place on the vehicle. For example, if it is designed for more than one rider, you also need to consider the other children's added weight that would be riding on it.

You also need to think “outside the box” when pondering what could constitute additional load factors. Even though Power Wheels are not designed, nor are they recommended to accommodate pets, sometimes, especially for 9-year-olds, they may decide to take the family dog for a ride. Larger dogs on larger Power Wheels can fit in the additional seat, increasing the vehicle's weight load.

When it comes to children and their physical development, the ranges in weight will be broad. According to the Center for Disease Control's growth and development charts, the weight of a healthy 9-year-old boy in the United States can range from 48.7 pounds (22.1 kgs) to 94.9 pounds (43.1 kgs). For 9-year-old girls, their weight can range from 47.6 pounds (21.6 kgs) to 98.3 pounds (44.7 kgs).

When considering what Power Wheels model to purchase, it is essential to consider your 9-year-old's current weight and how much weight they may add over the next 12 to 24 months as they develop. Likewise, you need to do the same for the children who regularly engage in play with your child if the model is designed for multiple riders. This list should include siblings, friends, and neighbors of your child.

Added together, this would give you the maximum weight that the vehicle would be required to support. When choosing the model to purchase, ensure that the aggregate weight falls within the model's maximum load capacity.

Style of Ride

The style of play, or more specifically the riding style that your child will place on the Power Wheels vehicle, also needs to be considered. Some Power Wheels are designed to look like sports cars or sedans. Other models are designed to look like off-road vehicles and trucks.

Usually, if your child is inclined toward a model that emulates a street-style vehicle, these Power Wheels, like their bigger real-world cousins, are going to have a lower clearance. As a result, they are best suited for being used on relatively flat surfaces.

If your child prefers a tougher-looking vehicle, these will have slightly higher clearance. These models are more practical if your child uses them on surfaces such as dirt, thick grass, or uneven stretches.

Features

First-time buyers of a Power Wheel vehicle may be overwhelmed by the number of available features and options. Sometimes, it can seem like you are considering options for a real-world full-size car.

The most important features to consider are those involving safety. These would include the driving speeds of the model. Typically there will be a high and low forward speed and a single reverse speed. The maximum forward speed should be no more than five mph (8.04 kph) and the reverse speed 2.5 mph (4.02 kph) for safety purposes. Other safety features to look for are power lock braking systems and remote control functionality.

The latter feature may not be so essential if only a nine-year-old will be using the vehicle. However, if younger children may be riders, or if your child has a propensity for not abiding by a strict set of safety rules, having a remote control in the hands of an adult can increase the safety margin. The remote control can control the vehicle entirely or intervene when a safety concern arises.

In addition to the safety features, there are also aesthetic features. These include everything from functioning headlights, horns, functioning dials, MP3 players, and other touches that give a Power Wheels vehicle a realistic feel from the point of view of your nine-year-old.

First Drive Slingshot

If you are looking for the best all-around Power Wheels vehicle for a 9-year-old, your best choice is the First Drive Slingshot.

To earn this ranking, it means that the Slingshot covers all the bases in terms of safety and operation while also offering your child maximum enjoyment while providing you with great value. The Slingshot accomplishes this in the following ways.

Safety

In terms of safety, the First Drive Slingshot comes with both manual and remote control modes. It also comes with highly-adjustable seat restraints. These are two core safety features essential for a model such as this. Being designed for ages 3 to 10, parents must have the option of remote control mode when younger children are riding it while also allowing their 9-year-old the freedom of manual operation. The Slingshot balances these two needs perfectly.

The restraint systems are made of resilient polyester webbing material, similar to that used in real automobiles. It stands up to repeated use, and exposure to sunlight, moisture, and the elements. It incorporates both lap and over-the-shoulder restraints. They are adjustable to accommodate a child as young as three as well as much older children.

Durability

The Slingshot is manufactured of high-grade plastic. The unit is resistant to dings and allows for small scratches to be removed with light sanding if needed.

The wheels are designed to be skid- and wear-resistant. Under typical use case situations, the Slingshot's wheels should easily last through the wear and tear that your 9-year-old will place on the unit while still providing added life if you hand down the vehicle to a younger sibling or resell it.

Your Child’s Point of View

From the perspective of a nine-year-old, the Slingshot looks sharp. Its aesthetic design will appeal to both boys and girls. With an overall height of 27 inches (67.5 cm), it allows the design to incorporate a decent amount of ground clearance. Depending upon the weight of the children riding on it, this clearance can be from four to six inches (10 to 15 cm). As such, your 9-year-old can ride the Slingshot comfortably on grass, dirt, and other rough surfaces.

The unit also includes realistic features such as stoplights, turn signals, a trumpet-sounding horn, and a 3.5 mm auxiliary audio port that allows you to connect an M3 player to it.

Although the Slingshot is battery-powered, it generates the sound of a combustion engine to give your 9-year-old the feeling that they are driving an actual vehicle. Also, the unit has a key-starting mechanism as opposed to a one-button start. This feature is meant to give your nine-year-old a more realistic driving experience.

Specifications

• Age range: 3 and up
• Maximum weight: 77 pounds (35 kgs)
• Operation modes: Manual and remote control
• Seating capacity: 2 children
• Dimensions: 56 x 31 x 27 inches (140 x 77.5 x 67.5 cm)
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

Best Choice Ride-On Jeep

For those parents whose 9-year-old is keener on “off-road” riding or who enjoy realistic designs, the Ride-On Jeep from Best Choice is truly the best choice.

Safety

Just as the best overall choice—the Slingshot—the Ride-On Jeep includes a highly resistant restraining lap restraint and the option for both manual and remote control operation. It, however, does not have shoulder restraints.

Durability

What makes the Best Choice Ride-On Jeep the superior choice for those 9-year-olds who enjoy riding their vehicle in rougher terrain is the unit's robust spring-based suspension system. In combination with its high ground clearance, your child can ride the Best Choice Ride-On Jeep safely on thick grass, wet lawns, and rough dirt surfaces.

Additionally, the Ride-On Jeep has 14-inch (35 cm) wheels with pronounced traction grooves. These wheels add to the vehicle's ability to handle rougher surface terrain.

Your Child’s Point of View

From the point of view of a 9-year-old, the Best Choice Ride-On Jeep looks very realistic when compared to a real Jeep. The plastic molded body retains visual symmetry—albeit on a smaller scale—to its real-world cousin.

The unit is full of details that your child will appreciate, such as working headlights, an auxiliary audio port, and a realistic-looking dashboard and steering wheel in the interior.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 45 x 31 x 31 inches (112.5 x 77.5 x 77.5 cm)
• Age range: 3 and up
• Maximum load weight: 65 pounds (29.5 kgs)
• Seating capacity: One child
• Body material: Molded, ding-resistant, non-toxic plastic
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

First Drive Mercedes Benz SL

Some 9-year-olds will prefer the look of a classy sport sedan. In those situations, the First Drive Mercedes Benz SL is your best choice. Manufactured to look sleek, elegant, and sporty, the First Drive Mercedes has top-notch curb appeal.

Safety

The First Drive Mercedes comes in a one- and two-seat version. Both versions come with an individual lap restraint belt for each rider. By having individual lap belts, you can make sure that each child in the vehicle will be comfortably and securely strapped in.

Other safety features on the First Drive Mercedes include a remote control mode that can operate at a distance of up to 50 feet (15.2 meters). Such a range allows you to monitor and control the First Drive Mercedes usage without appearing to interfere from your child's point of view.

Durability

Like all First Drive products, the First Drive Mercedes Benz SL is constructed from high-quality and resistant molded plastic. The classy shine on the exterior will remain throughout the life of the vehicle. All it needs is a light dusting with a damp microfiber cloth.

The wheels are constructed from high-grade plastic that will provide a comfortable ride for multiple years of play when used on flat surfaces and dry lawns.

Your Child’s Point of View

The First Drive Mercedes is ideal for the 9-year-old child who recognizes the appeal of luxury vehicles early. The unit includes details that add to the luxurious mystique of a Mercedes. It comes with a subdued engine noise sound, auxiliary and Bluetooth audio, high- and low-beam headlights, and dashboard lighting.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 48 x 24 x 14 inches (120 x 60 x 77.5 cm)
• Age range: 5 and up
• Maximum load weight: 65 pounds (29.5 kgs)
• Seating capacity: One- and two-child models available
• Body material: High-grade polished plastic
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

Uenjoy 2-Seat Motorized Truck

If you are looking for a general-purpose Power Wheels type vehicle suitable for multiple siblings, even in disparate age groups, the Uenjoy 2-seat Motorized truck is your best choice.

Safety

The Uenjoy 2-Seat Truck comes with manual and remote modes. It also has lap restraint systems for both occupants. The unit meets all of the safety requirements that you would want as a parent.

Durability

The Uenjoy was described as being the best if you have more than one child and want them to share one vehicle. That is because it is manufactured with durability in mind. While not as detailed as other ride-on vehicles, the design is strong and resistant to wear and tear.

The durability factor holds for the plastic used on the body, the seats, and the all-important wheels. It makes it ideal when two or more children will be using the vehicle.

Your Child's Point of View

If your 9-year-old does not mind sharing with siblings and if they are more interested in the thrill of riding on a variety of surfaces and not so much in matching the design of a real-world vehicle, the Uenjoy 2-seat Truck is perfect.

The truck's interior and exterior offer enough emulated features to keep it interesting from the child's point of view without sacrificing its durability.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 48.4 x 34.6 x 31.5 inches (121 x 86.5 x 78.75 cm)
• Age range: 1 and up
• Maximum load weight: 88 pounds (40 kgs)
• Seating capacity: One- and two-child models available
• Body material: High-grade resistant plastic
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery with a 40-watt electric motor

Uenjoy 4-Wheeler ATV

Some 9-year-olds prefer the look, feel, and ride of an ATV quad-bike instead of the in-seat experience offered by Power Wheels designed to look like cars or trucks. For those instances, your best choice is the Uenjoy 4-Wheeler ATV.

Safety

Modeled after a real-world ATV, the Uenjoy 4-Wheeler incorporates a bike-style saddle seat. As such, it does not integrate belt-style lap or shoulder restraints like other Power Wheels. However, this does not mean that the Uenjoy 4-wheeler is not safe.

First, the unit is capped at a maximum speed of 3.7 MPH (6 KPH). It is slower than a car- or truck-modeled unit. It also makes it safer in case the child were to fall while riding.

Steering with handlebars instead of a steering wheel also makes for more accurate control of the vehicle. The 4-wheel suspension system adds stability and improved handling. These two features are important, as the Uenjoy 4-Wheeler comes only in a manual control mode and does not include a remote control option.

Durability

The Uenjoy 4-Wheeler is made from tough ding-resistant plastic. The wheels are resistant to wear and tear from rough surfaces while also being gentle on interior floors.

The robust build quality and low maintenance demands from its 12-volt battery power supply make the 4-Wheeler.

Your Child’s Point of View

The ride experience for a 9-year-old from an ATV-style vehicle compared to a car or truck is radically different. It creates a freer and more open feel. For kids who enjoy the fun of the ride instead of the “driving” experience, the Uenjoy 4-Wheeler will be a real delight.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 42.13 x 25.2 x 29.13 inches (105.3 x 64.8 x 72.8 cm)
• Age range: 3 and up
• Maximum load weight: 77 pounds (35 kgs)
• Seating capacity: One-seater
• Body material: Resistant plastic
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

Power Wheels Dune Racer

This genuine Power Wheels model provides the look of a real dune racer with safety and performance features expected by parents. It makes it the best model for a 9-year-old when you are seeking rugged performance.

Safety

Safety is paramount, especially on Power Wheels intended for use on uneven and dirt surfaces. The Dune Racer comes equipped with a power lock brake system and a “monster” traction mechanism. As such, it is very stable and remains easy to handle on a variety of terrains.

Along with lap restraints, the Dune Racer also includes metal sidebars to allow the riders something solid to hold on to when going over rough terrain.

It comes with a top 5 MPH (8.05 KPH) speed that you can lower to 2.5 MPH (4.02 KPH).

Durability

When it comes to rugged use, the Dunes Racer is designed to take on rough terrain and remain in top-notch condition. The Dunes Racer is built on a steel frame and uses robust and non-toxic plastic in its body design. The strength of the body makes it very durable.

Your Child’s Point of View

9-year-olds who love riding on rugged terrain will adore the Dunes racer. It provides the best ride and handling on a variety of surfaces. The resistant traction system also makes controlling the vehicle more manageable, even for small hands.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 25 x 46 x 15 inches (62.5 x 115 x 37.5 cm)
• Age range: 5 and up
• Maximum load weight: 89 pounds (40.5 kgs)
• Seating capacity: Two-seater
• Body material: Stainless steel frame, plastic body
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

Peg Perego John Deere Gator

Some 9-year-olds prefer a more functional style of play over that offered by traditional Power Wheel models. They choose to engage in play that focuses more on task completion and emulating real-world tasks than just zipping around. For those kids, the best choice is the Peg Perego John Deere Gator Tractor.

Safety

The Peg Perego John Deere Gator comes with two speeds, 2.5 MPH and 5 MPH. It has a locking mechanism that allows parents to lock out the high speed.

The unit's seat is adjustable, allowing for a more secure fit and use of the lap restraining belt.

Durability

The Peg Perego is designed to be used in play resembling the work done with a tractor on a farm or construction on a building site. Its wheels are constructed to withstand more rugged use than those found on more traditional Power Wheels. The rear dump bed and tailgate are made from tough plastic so that your child can use them to carry real items, dirt, grass, or whatever your 9-year-old deems fit.

The optional trailer is made of the same material and comes with a durable metal locking hitch pin.

Your Child’s Point of View

A 9-year-old who enjoys functional play will love the Peg Perego John Deere Gator for its functionality in carrying loads and maneuvering on grass and dirt as easily as on smoother surfaces. Styled to look like a John Deere tractor, the unit will also appeal to a child's quest for realism in their toys.

Specifications

• Vehicle dimensions: 54 x 34.5 x 30 inches (135 x 86.25 x 75 cm)
• Age range: 3 and up
• Maximum load weight: 66 pounds (30 kgs)
• Seating capacity: Two children
• Body material: Durable plastic with a metallic hitch pin
• Power: 12-volt rechargeable battery

Conclusion

The best all-around Power Wheels vehicle for a 9-year-old would be the First Drive Slingshot. It is designed for durability, safety, and enjoyment. Plus, it's a great Power Wheels for boys or girls.

However, much as with food and clothes, not all children have the same tastes when it comes to toys. For that reason, you should also consider the other six models presented above. Each has characteristics that can appeal more strongly to individual 9-year-olds based on their specific likes and play style.