There's something about cars that lend themselves to LEGO brick construction. It comes down to the variety that's inherent in such a build; it demands nearly every technique in a single, compact set. You need wheels and axles. You need pins and gears to create a steering mechanism. You need LEGO Technic to serve as the car's chassis. You need printed tiles and minimalist design to line the interiors. And lastly, you need the classic, traditional bricks to plate the chassis, and give the vehicle its signature curves.
Cars also make great LEGO sets for adults. Below, you'll find the 10 best LEGO car sets of 2023. These are standout vehicular builds (we're including trucks and one motorcycle) that represent peak auto design—from the classic muscle car throwbacks of the 1960s to the fictional superhero death-mobiles of today.
10. Volkswagen T2 Camper Van
LEGO Icons Volkswagen T2 Camper Van $199.90
- Set: #10279
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 2207
- Dimensions: 6 in. (15 cm) high, 13.5 in. (35 cm) long, 5.5 in. (14 cm) wide
- Price: $179.99
Made popular in the States by the 1960's counterculture movement, this classic hippie bus has sliding doors and an outfitted interior, with a mobile kitchen and swing-out table.
9. BMW M 1000 RR
LEGO Technic BMW M 1000 RR 4% off $249.99$239.93
- Set: #42130
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 1920
- Dimensions: 10 in. (27 cm) high, 17 in. (45 cm) long, 6 in. (17 cm) wide
- Price: $249.99
This is the biggest motorcycle set that LEGO has ever built (1:5 scale), and fittingly, the inspiration was BMW's only elite M (Motorsports) bike. Visually, its reds and blues are instantly recognizable, and it comes equipped with a 3-speed gearbox, chain transmission, and front and rear suspension.
8. Chevrolet Camaro Z28
- Set: #10304
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 1456
- Dimensions: 3.5 in. (10 cm) high, 14 in. (36 cm) long, 5.5 in. (14 cm) wide
- Price: $169.99
You can only find this exclusive set on the official LEGO website. Based on the iconic 1969 Camaro model, this set comes with a V8 engine and your choice of racing stripes. It even has a pair of fuzzy dice to hang on the rearview mirror.
7. Heavy-Duty Tow Truck
LEGO Technic Heavy-Duty Tow Truck $159.99
- Set: #42128
- Age Range: 11+
- Piece Count: 2017
- Dimensions: 8.5 in. (22 cm) high (with crane down), 23 in. (58 cm) long (with boom down), 5.5 in. (14 cm) wide (with outriggers up)
- Price: $159.99
There's something to be said for the LEGO sets that are home-grown, rather than licensed by a third-party. They're far less expensive, for one. And this tow truck is an absolute steal when you stack its piece volume and size against its asking price.
6. Optimus Prime
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell This set comes at a premium price, but it’s also a huge, gorgeously detailed set perfect for any adult fan of The Lord of the Rings.$499.99
- Set: #10302
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 1508
- Dimensions: Truck mode: 5.5 in. (15 cm) high, 10.5 in. (27 cm) long, 4.5 in. (12 cm) wide
- Price: $179.99
The Optimus Prime set does the impossible; it's a model that is equally convincing as both a truck and an Autobot. And it's sturdier than you might think; so long as you're reasonably gentle, you can transform it from one to the other with no breakage.
5. Ford Mustang
LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang 11% off $169.99$150.99
- Set: #10265
- Age Range: 16+
- Piece Count: 1471
- Dimensions: 3 in. (10cm) high, 13 in. (34cm) long, 5 in. (14cm) wide
- Price: $169.99
This replica of a 1960's Ford Mustang comes in a cool, dark blue finish with white stripes. It's customizable, with a spoiler, exhaust pipes, a supercharger that comes out of the front hood, and more. When you open it up, there's a beautiful facsimile of a V8 engine, complete with hoses and a simulated air filter.
4. Ghostbusters ECTO-1
LEGO Icons Ghostbusters ECTO-1 $239.95
- Set: #10274
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 2352
- Dimensions: ‎8 in. (22.5cm) high, 18 in. (47cm) long, 6 in. (16.5cm) wide
- Price: $239.99
One of the most iconic vehicles in cinema history, the Ghostbusters' ECTO-1 is a souped-up 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor. LEGO's homage comes with portable ghost sensors, a gunner seat that swings out for high-speed chases, and a mini ghost trap vehicle that ejects out the back.
3. Back to the Future Time Machine
LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine $199.99
- Set: #10300
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 1872
- Dimensions: 4.5 in. (12 cm) high, 14 in. (35 cm) long, 7.5 in. (19 cm)
- Price: $199.99
The Back to the Future Time Machine is a modified Delorean, and this set allows you to build all three versions—the original with a hook on its roof to harness clock tower lightning; the updated version that flies on fusion power; and the degraded Old West version, with vacuum tubes and whitewall tires.
2. Batmobile Tumbler
LEGO DC Super Heroes Batmobile Tumbler $269.95
- Set: #76240
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 2049
- Dimensions: 6 in. (16 cm) high, 17 in. (45 cm) long and 9 in. (25 cm)
- Price: $269.99
Three years ago, LEGO released a classic Batmobile based on the Michael Keaton films. This bulky Tumbler is inspired by the military-grade Batmobile from the Dark Knight trilogy with massive tires and a jet engine motor. It also comes with a LEGO minifigure of Heath Ledger's Joker, complete with his signature Glasgow smile. For more comic book-inspired ideas, check out the best Marvel LEGO sets.
1. Ferrari Daytona SP3
LEGOLEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 Luxury car, LEGO edition. Car-lovers can recreate all the details of the ultimate sports car with this collectible LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 car model building kit.$445.95
- Set: #42143
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 3778
- Dimensions: 5.5 in. (14 cm) high, 23 in. (59 cm) long, 9.5 in. (25 cm) wide
- Price: $449.99
It's the supercar of supercars. This set takes LEGO Technic to its most extreme and artistic. Its sleek design aside, the LEGO Ferrari has signature butterfly doors that open up and out, like you're about to be strapped in for launch. And of course, there's that classic, sporty-red paint job.
The only problem with this set (and most of these sets, for that matter) is the cost; it's luxury cars for luxury prices. And these prices send a message: that the sets are largely geared toward an adult audience with disposable income.
Yes, there are other vehicular sets that are kid-friendly, but they're the complete opposite of the best ones—overly simple, spare builds that do not challenge or engage anyone above a novice. What LEGO really needs is some mid-priced models in the $50-150 range, that give children and intermediate builders a great experience for less money. Sets like the retired Aston Martin are in short supply. That's a shame, because the LEGO system is equitable in its very essence. And cross-generational appeal is rarely cost-prohibitive.
For more of our picks, check out the best LEGO Star Wars sets and the best LEGO Harry Potter sets. We've also chosen our favorite Nintendo LEGO sets released so far.