Quake 223S Vs Granite 223S 4X4: Specs, Price, Which To Buy

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The QUAKE 223S and the GRANITE 223S 4X4 are the two ARRMA 1/10 brushless monster trucks most people look at for a first truck. Both run on 2S or 3S LiPo, both carry a 50+ MPH rating on 3S, and both are ready-to-run. The differences come down to drivetrain, electronics, weight, battery fit and about $70.

Quick answer: The QUAKE 223S DSC 2WD ($269.99 on Nov 4, 2026) is the cheaper, lighter 2WD truck with a 4000Kv motor and SLT 45A ESC. The GRANITE 223S 4X4 ($339.99 on Nov 4, 2026) adds 4WD, a bigger SLT 80A ESC with a 3100Kv motor, an SLT3 radio and a taller battery tray. Horizon rates both at 35+ MPH on 2S and 50+ MPH on 3S. If you bash on loose dirt and grass or want the more forgiving truck, the GRANITE 4X4 is the safer first buy. If budget is tight and you like a rear-drive truck that wheelies and slides, the QUAKE saves you $70.

How This Comparison Was Built

This is a spec-sheet comparison, not a driving review. Every number below comes from the two Horizon Hobby product pages, checked on Nov 4, 2026. Speeds are Horizon’s ratings, not measured results. Prices and stock change often, so check the product page before you buy.

QUAKE 223S vs GRANITE 223S 4X4: Spec Comparison

Swipe sideways on a phone to see both columns. Blank fields mean Horizon does not list that spec.

Spec	QUAKE 223S DSC 2WD	GRANITE 223S 4X4
Part number	ARA3537	ARA4302V4
Price	$269.99 (as of Nov 4, 2026)	$339.99 (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Drivetrain	2WD	4WD
ESC	Spektrum SLT 45A 2-in-1 ESC and receiver, 2S/3S, DSC	Spektrum SLT 80A 2-in-1 ESC and receiver, 2S/3S, DSC
Motor	Spektrum 3660 4000Kv brushless	Spektrum 3100Kv brushless
Radio	Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz	Spektrum SLT3 2.4GHz
Servo	Spektrum S681 metal-geared, waterproof	Spektrum S662 metal-geared 25T, waterproof
Rated speed	35+ MPH on 2S, 50+ MPH on 3S	35+ MPH on 2S, 50+ MPH on 3S
LiPo	2S or 3S hardcase, IC5	2S or 3S hardcase, IC5
Battery tray	140 x 50 x 35 mm	139 x 51 x 48 mm
Length	465 mm (18.3 in)	470 mm (18.5 in)
Width	345 mm (13.58 in)	340 mm (13.38 in)
Height	230 mm (9.06 in)	204 mm (8.03 in)
Wheelbase	295 mm (11.61 in)	284 mm (11.18 in)
Weight	2.73 kg (6.02 lb)	3.47 kg (7.65 lb)
Tires	dBoots Cut Chevron	dBoots Fortress MT
Gearing	16T pinion, 61T spur, 11.93 final drive	not listed
Wheel hex	14 mm	not listed

What the Two Trucks Share

Both are part of ARRMA’s 223S line, which means 2S or 3S LiPo power through an IC5 connector, Spektrum electronics installed at the factory, and no assembly. Both list oil-filled coilover shocks, metal gear differentials, a composite chassis and a painted, trimmed body.

Spektrum DSC. Dynamic Stability Control is built into the ESC on both trucks. Horizon says the GRANITE has four selectable modes, and the QUAKE page says you can pick from multiple levels or switch it off.
Throttle limiting. Both radios have a switch that caps top speed. Horizon lists 50%, 75% or 100% on the QUAKE’s SLT2, and 50% or 75% settings on the GRANITE’s SLT3.
Waterproof electronics. Both pages list waterproof Spektrum electronics. Horizon points to the manuals for the details of what that covers.
Battery and charger sold separately. Neither RTR comes with a pack or a charger.

2WD vs 4WD: The Difference That Matters Most

The QUAKE 223S sends power to the rear wheels only. The GRANITE 223S 4X4 uses metal gear differentials to drive all four wheels, and Horizon lists an all-terrain independent suspension. Horizon pitches the GRANITE for dirt, gravel and short grass, and the QUAKE for off-road spots, parking lots, dirt tracks and open fields.

In general, a 2WD monster truck has to put all of its power through two tires, so it breaks traction sooner on loose ground and needs a lighter thumb. That is also what makes a rear-drive truck easy to slide and pop into wheelies. A 4WD truck spreads the power over four tires, which usually means more grip and an easier time climbing out of loose stuff. That is general RC drivetrain behavior, not a measured result for these two trucks.

The trade-off is weight and price. The GRANITE is 0.74 kg (about 1.6 lb) heavier on Horizon’s numbers and costs $70 more. The QUAKE also sits on a slightly longer wheelbase (295 mm vs 284 mm) and stands taller (230 mm vs 204 mm).

Power Systems: SLT 45A + 4000Kv vs SLT 80A + 3100Kv

On paper the trucks take different routes to the same rating. The QUAKE pairs a Spektrum SLT 45A 2-in-1 ESC with a 3660 4000Kv motor. The GRANITE pairs a larger SLT 80A 2-in-1 ESC with a 3100Kv motor. Horizon rates both at 35+ MPH on 2S and 50+ MPH on 3S.

A higher Kv number does not make the QUAKE faster on its own. Top speed also depends on gearing, tire size and weight, and the GRANITE page does not list its gearing. Our brushless motor Kv guide explains how Kv and cell count work together. The bigger 80A rating on the GRANITE’s ESC is worth noting because it has a heavier 4WD truck to move, but Horizon does not publish a run-time or temperature figure for either truck.

Radios, Servos and Driver Aids

The GRANITE gets the step-up radio and servo on the spec sheet:

QUAKE 223S: Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz transmitter and an S681 metal-geared waterproof digital servo.
GRANITE 223S 4X4: Spektrum SLT3 2.4GHz transmitter and an S662 metal-geared 25T waterproof digital servo.

For a first truck, the throttle limiter matters more than the radio model. Set it to 50% while you learn, then open it up. DSC helps hold a straight line when the truck starts to step out. You can turn it off on both trucks once you want full control.

Batteries: What Fits Each Truck

Both trucks take a 2S or 3S hardcase LiPo with an IC5 connector. The tray sizes are where they split:

QUAKE 223S tray: 140 x 50 x 35 mm (5.51 x 1.97 x 1.38 in), with what Horizon calls a bottom-loading tray for clipless swaps.
GRANITE 223S 4X4 tray: 139 x 51 x 48 mm (5.47 x 2.01 x 1.89 in).

The GRANITE tray is 13 mm taller, so it takes taller 3S packs that will not fit the QUAKE. Before you buy a battery for either truck, check the pack’s length, width and height against these numbers. Budget for a charger and a LiPo charging bag too, since Horizon lists both as needed to complete the QUAKE.

Price and Availability

As listed by Horizon Hobby on Nov 4, 2026:

QUAKE 223S DSC 2WD RTR (ARA3537): $269.99, listed “In Stock”. Three color versions (ARA3537T1, T2 and T3) were all orderable at that price.
GRANITE 223S 4X4 RTR (ARA4302V4): $339.99, listed “In Stock”. Three color versions (ARA4302V4T1, T2 and T3) were all orderable at that price.

That is a $70 gap before batteries. Stock and prices change, so treat these as a snapshot, not a promise.

ARRMA GRANITE 223S BLX 4X4 RTR (ARA4302V4T1, Blue)

4WD, 2S/3S, 50+ MPH rated on 3S by Horizon
Battery and charger not included

Check current price on Amazon

A Third Option: GORGON 223S 2WD

If you are looking at the QUAKE, the GORGON 223S 2WD RTR (ARA3530) is the other 2WD truck in the 223S line. On Nov 4, 2026 Horizon listed it at $259.99, In Stock. It uses the same Spektrum SLT 45A 2-in-1 ESC, a 4000Kv motor with an ARRMA 40 mm cooling fan, an S681 servo and an SLT2 radio, with a 50+ MPH rating and the same 2.73 kg (6.02 lb) listed weight as the QUAKE. Horizon calls out an integrated wheelie bar.

Horizon also lists a Pink/Black Limited Edition GORGON (U.S. only, exclusive to HorizonHobby.com) that includes a Spektrum Smart 4000mAh 2S hardcase LiPo and an S100 USB-C charger. That version showed as not orderable when checked on Nov 4, 2026. If you already own a GORGON, our GORGON troubleshooting guide covers common fixes.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the GRANITE 223S 4X4 if you run on loose dirt, gravel or grass, want the more planted 4WD layout, or want room for taller 3S packs. The SLT3 radio, S662 servo and 80A ESC are on the spec sheet for the extra $70.
Buy the QUAKE 223S if you want the lower price, a lighter truck, and a rear-drive truck that loves to slide and wheelie. It is also the pick if you mostly run on hard dirt, pavement and parking lots.
Look at the GORGON 223S if you like the QUAKE’s layout and want the cheapest 223S option, or want the Limited Edition bundle when it is orderable.

Already set on a GRANITE? Our GRANITE 4×4 review goes deeper on the truck, and our GRANITE vs BIG ROCK comparison and VORTEKS vs GRANITE comparison cover the other common pairings. QUAKE owners should keep our QUAKE troubleshooting guide handy.

Thinking bigger than 3S? The 1/8 QUAKE 4S is the next step up in the QUAKE family, and our QUAKE 4S vs KRATON 6S guide compares it with a 6S basher. For other first-car options, see our best ARRMA for beginners guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the ARRMA QUAKE 223S and the GRANITE 223S 4X4?

The QUAKE 223S is 2WD with a Spektrum SLT 45A ESC, a 3660 4000Kv motor, an SLT2 radio and an S681 servo, and weighs 2.73 kg. The GRANITE 223S 4X4 is 4WD with an SLT 80A ESC, a 3100Kv motor, an SLT3 radio and an S662 servo, and weighs 3.47 kg. Both run on 2S or 3S LiPo with an IC5 connector.

Is the QUAKE 223S faster than the GRANITE 223S 4X4?

Not by Horizon’s ratings. Horizon rates both at 35+ MPH on 2S and 50+ MPH on 3S. These are manufacturer ratings, not measured speeds.

How much do the QUAKE 223S and GRANITE 223S 4X4 cost?

On Nov 4, 2026, Horizon Hobby listed the QUAKE 223S DSC 2WD RTR at $269.99 and the GRANITE 223S 4X4 RTR at $339.99, both In Stock. Neither includes a battery or charger. Prices and stock can change.

What battery does the QUAKE 223S or GRANITE 223S 4X4 need?

Both take a 2S or 3S hardcase LiPo with an IC5 connector. The QUAKE battery tray is 140 x 50 x 35 mm and the GRANITE tray is 139 x 51 x 48 mm, so the GRANITE fits taller packs.

Is the GRANITE 223S 4X4 better for beginners?

For most first-time bashers on loose dirt or grass, the 4WD GRANITE is the more forgiving choice, and its SLT3 radio has throttle limiting at 50% or 75%. The QUAKE also has throttle limiting and DSC, and costs $70 less.