The best LEGO car sets to build

With its demise in 2016 followed by a wake of cry and controversy from Landie fans, the old Defender was retired, joining its pre-cursor Series 1, 2, and 3 predecessors.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's answer to a new-old Defender (the Ineos Grenadier) isn't quite for everyone. But happily, you can still build one yourself... albeit out of Lego. It's incredibly detailed and come with all the kit you might expect to need on an African safari in the brick world.

Bigger and redder, the 1:8-scale Daytona SP3 is one of the largest Technic vehicles ever. There are over 3,700 pieces in this set and the car itself measures 59 centimetres long. V12 engine, butterfly doors, removable roof, even chrome-painted wheels. There are so many excellent details to LEGO's Daytona SP3.

'Soulless' and 'angular' are some of the adjectives the CAR Products team have used to describe the full-size Daytona SP3. You'll have your own opinions but personally, we think the LEGO version is actually better looking. It's at least more interesting because you can build and own it.

In terms of excitement, Lamborghini has a reasonably high benchmark relative to other car makers. But the Sian took things rather next level, with motoring journos dribbling and babbling about supercapacitors until the cows came home. Lego has put a lot of excellent features into the much more affordable but no less exciting Technic Sian.

At 3,696 pieces it beats the Technic Chiron in the pieces department. There are moving pistons in the V12 engine, which is connected to the 8-speed gearbox. The scissor doors open, as do the bonnet and boot; there are proper disc brakes, suspension, and adjustable spoiler.

At 1,580 pieces, the Porsche appears to be considerably less exciting than the kits above. But don't be fooled. Porsche knows how to deliver and this model is no exception. On the outside, there are black spoked rims, a proper rear diffuser, and aero bodywork at the front. Open the doors, and inside you'll find functioning steering, radar screen, fire extinguisher system, and even a map of Laguna Seca on the inside of the driver's door.

There is a proper boxer engine in the back too. The 4.0-litre flat six has moving pistons that sends its power through a visible and functioning differential. A fantastic kit for everyone.

Launched in January 2021, this is a take on the Ferrari 488 GTE that kicked off its success in 2016 by winning the World Endurance Car championship.

In true Technic tradition, the 488 GTE has an exterior design that accurately mimics that on the actual racer. Underneath, there is proper suspension and moving pistons inside the stunning Maranello V8. There is also the detailed interior that features a steering wheel that turns the front wheels and proper dashboard.

Well this is an inevitable member of this list. CAR tackled this 1077-piece kit and enjoyed it because it wasn't as much of a fiddly challenge as the Land Rover Defender. It's true to scale as well - 1:13, and you get a load of neat features.

The more bespoke details come via a massive, working V8 engine complete with massive air ram and timing chain, nitrous tanks in the boot and a fire extinguisher in the cockpit. The piece de resistance, though, is a lockable wheelie bar – reminiscent of Toretto’s car tilting back during the drag race with O’Conner in the original film… just without the crash damage at the end of said drag race.

North America's lineup of super trucks is a popular segment stateside. Big, boosted engines and all-terrain capability means owners can aggressively tackle anywhere from Death Valley to Santa Monica with ease.

Lego recognises this and has built a Ford F150 Raptor for you to build yourself. It's powered by an Ecoboost V6 engine with moving pistons, features long travel suspension and moving steering.

Whereas the Sian and Daytona sets are about the size of a small badger, the McLaren Senna set is more like the size of a weasel. But unlike a weasel, this features a fully detailed V8 engine.

In typical McLaren fashion, the doors are dihedral and the colour scheme is fantastic. It looks tremendous parked on the shelf.

Many, of CAR's team are also motorbike people so they insist we include a two-wheeled machine too. In total contrast to the Ferrari Daytona SP3, the M1000 RR isn't meant to collect dust in a rich person's person car museum. It's a bike that's for the tarmac.

LEGO's version is 1:5-scale and looks superb. As with full-size BMWs, this version has M badges everywhere.

This takes Technic a step further by introducing some wireless movement into the mix. The kit itself is great but the app-controlled motor makes it superb.

The kit is made up of 463 pieces in total, and the car is a similar length to the Rubicon Jeep. Having built it, download the LEGO Technic CONTROL+ app on a smartphone and from there, you can take the car for a spin. It's powered by a Smart Hub with electric motors, which pull their energy from six AA batteries. The app isn't just a controller, it's also a place where you can access challenges too.

If the rally car doesn't take your fancy, the retro-styled buggy surely will. This is along similar design principles to the rally car but with one or two alterations for a bit more excitement.

It's a more basic design, but the trade off is that you get a more hardy construction meant for performing tricks and stunts. There is suspension front and rear to give you excellent control, in addition to the extra grip from the knobbly tyres. The Hub runs off six AA batteries.

A recent release from the Icons series is the Chevrolet Corvette C1. It can be converted from hardtop to convertible form and has some of the curviest body panels ever fitted to a Lego vehicle.

For any 'Vette fans out there, think about how ideal this would be as a Christmas gift...

You didn't but if you ask me, I'd say the original Camaro was better looking than the Mustang. The Z/28 was certainly the pick of the bunch too. It was the version that was most likely to handle corners.

LEGO has done a superb job with its version of the Z/28. The black body is correct and there are three colours of stripes in the kit. The interior is also very detailed, which is just as well, because you can remove the roof.

Even those who claim not to be fans of the 911, they will likely admit, albeit grudgingly, that it is a great sports car. This detailed set of a classic and correct 911 is great fun to make and thoroughly enjoyable to look at afterwards.

It has 1,458 pieces that accumulate into a very detailed model. You can modify it as a targa or hard top, depending on your frivolity; adjust the driver’s seat, the steering wheel, and gearshift; plus open the rear and you’ll find an air-cooled engine.

During a period of wild and experimental styling the 512 still managed to stand out. Now you can have it sharpen up your bookcase in mini form. We like the Speed Champions sets. The cars are bigger than you expect and look really good in the flesh.

Aston Martin squared normally means maintenance bills cubed. But this pair is entirely risk free. It's interesting how the bright green used to be a Lamborghini thing, but Aston Martin now adorns the neon.

Speaking of green, here comes the Lotus hypercar wearing true a British green. Oh, and a yellow stripe so it looks like a company car for the Springbok rugby team. The Evija is one of the best looking cars in LEGO form, we reckon.

Like the Ferrari Daytona SP3, the modern take on the Countach brought out divided opinion. The Countach is, or was, about being experimental and bold. The new one feels like a zoo animal for people with too much money. The LEGO version of the original is excellent and one of the very few cars to look good in white.