Hobby-grade remote control cars are in a league of their own, and MJX has raised the bar with the new MJX Hypergo H12Y, featuring a body that closely resembles the iconic Mahindra Thar. We took this rugged RC truck out for a drive to see how it truly performs in action.
Let’s start by addressing the big question, is this RC a properly licensed Mahindra Thar? The short answer is no. MJX sells this as an unlicensed product, which essentially means it features a Jeep-style body. So, what you choose to call it is entirely up to you, whether that’s a Jeep or a Mahindra. As for us, we prefer to see it as a Thar. Now that the controversy is out of the way, let’s dive into the truck itself.
MJX Hypergo H12Y: Body and design
If you’re a fan of the Jeep or the Thar, the H12Y is sure to impress. It features a metal body, which gives it a remarkably realistic look and feel. The matte grey paint job is tastefully done and adds to its rugged appeal. Up front, you get what MJX calls the “Angry Bird” style grille, complete with LED headlamps and indicators operable via the remote. What truly stood out to us was the incredible detailing inside the lights, each tiny module even carries H12Y badging, which is seriously impressive.
MJX also includes a chunky plastic front bumper that enhances its muscular stance. At the rear, there’s a plastic roll cage along with fully functional tail lights.
You also get a spare tyre, and it’s not just for show, it’s fully usable. The truck comes with foldable mirrors that include reflective surfaces, adding to the realism. Door hinges and handles are present too, although the absence of door panel indents feels like a missed opportunity that could have elevated the scale authenticity even further.
Inside, the truck features scale interiors, though they aren’t as intricately detailed as the exterior. That said, you can add a scale driver figure to boost realism. The hard metal roof is also removable, which adds to the versatility.
Overall, the fit and finish of the H12Y score very high in our books.
MJX Hypergo H12Y: Chassis, electronics and battery
MJX is offering a clever new body-mounting system on this series of vehicles, which includes the H12Y and the fully licensed Bronco. The body is rear-hinged and held in place by strong magnets at the front, so accessing the internals is as simple as lifting it up, much like opening a car’s bonnet.
Underneath, the MJX Hypergo H12Y sits on a metal chassis finished in an eye-catching chrome. It comes equipped with oil-filled shock absorbers and metal links that enhance its durability and trail-ready character. Metal driveshafts and bearings housed within portal axles further boost its off-road capability. The chunky all-terrain tyres feature deep grooves designed to improve grip on surfaces like mud and even ice.
On the electronics front, the H12Y is fitted with an E45M 45A waterproof brushless ESC paired with a cooling fan that kicks in the moment the vehicle is powered on. The fan does get a bit noisy, but we didn’t mind, if anything, it adds to the realism. Steering duties are handled by a 20kg high-torque metal servo that feels more than capable of taking serious punishment. Power comes from a 2000mAh 15C Li-ion battery mounted just below the high-positioned receiver unit. While the placement is convenient, the Velcro strap used to secure it can be a little fiddly.
Driving the truck is a 3650 3500KV sensorless brushless motor that delivers enough punch to move this fairly hefty 1.9kg machine with surprising urgency. MJX claims a top speed of 12kmph, which is quite impressive considering the truck’s size, weight, and crawler-style tyres.
MJX Hypergo H12Y: Let’s go off-road
Now, being a crawler, you’d expect us to head straight for the rocks, but we decided to start things off on flat ground instead. The H12Y features a single-speed setup, which means power delivery can be fine-tuned using the throttle trim on the remote. Tap the accelerator and the truck surprises you with its brisk acceleration. As you turn using the accurate proportional steering, you can actually see the body roll into corners while the tyres search for grip, and watching this big 1/12 scale machine hustle through a bend is genuinely entertaining. Slam the brakes and the nose dips forward, adding to the sense of realism.
But the real fun begins when you introduce the H12Y to gravel and rocks. The level of articulation is impressive, with the suspension compressing and adapting to terrain while the powerful servo keeps the steering precise. The proportional throttle makes it possible to crawl slowly and carefully, helping you maintain balance and avoid tipping over, and scratching that lovely body. That said, tip over it will if pushed!
Thanks to its waterproof electronics, the H12Y is also happy tackling muddy trails and waterlogged sections. Just remember our top tip: always clean the truck thoroughly after such runs to prevent long-term issues like rust or component failure.
MJX Hypergo H12Y: Is it worth spending the money?
Let’s begin with a ballpark figure on pricing. We picked up our truck from a website called Cinerigs, where it was listed at Rs 17,000 plus shipping, bringing the total to Rs 17,500. However, we’ve seen other sellers pricing it as high as Rs 22,000. Our experience with Cinerigs was smooth, they used a premium delivery service that ensured the truck arrived within just a couple of days, so they get a thumbs-up from us.
As for the truck itself, the H12Y feels like a fantastic buy. It delivers impressive scale realism, boasts a robust build, and performs exceptionally well. Given that it’s currently one of the hottest RC models on the market, spare parts and service support are also easy to find. There’s plenty of scope for modifications too.
All things considered, we highly recommend the MJX Hypergo H12Y or as we like to call it, our modified Mahindra Thar.
