Arrma Granite 3S BLX vs Team Associated Rival MT10 V2Which Should You Buy?

The Arrma Granite 3S BLX at its price point and Team Associated Rival MT10 V2 at its price point are about as close to direct competitors as you'll find in the monster truck category. Both are 1/10 scale, brushless, 4WD, and waterproof. The spec sheets nearly overlap in every dimension. So where do you find the meaningful differences that justify choosing one over the other?

Speed favors the Granite at 50 mph versus the Rival's 40 mph. That 10 mph gap is noticeable on open straights and during speed runs, giving the Granite a clear performance advantage for drivers who value top-end velocity. The Rival MT10's lower top speed suggests more conservative gearing from the factory, which can actually translate to tangible benefits: better low-speed torque for technical maneuvering, less violent throttle response that's more forgiving for newer drivers, and potentially longer runtime per charge. The Rival specs a 5000mAh 3S battery versus the Granite's 3200mAh 3S, giving it significantly longer run sessions before you need to swap packs, roughly 30 to 35 minutes versus the Granite's 20 to 25 minutes at comparable driving intensity.

Ground clearance favors the Rival at 2.17 versus 1.97 inches. Combined with its slightly longer body at 19.96 versus 18.74 inches, the Rival presents a somewhat larger physical presence on the ground. Wheelbases are practically identical at 11.22 inches on the Rival versus 11.3 on the Granite, so handling dynamics from the wheelbase geometry are essentially the same. Width is close too at 12.8 inches on the Rival versus 13.5 on the Granite, giving the Granite marginally more roll stability during hard cornering and off-camber terrain.

Weights are almost identical at 6.17 lbs for the Rival versus 6.2 lbs for the Granite, so neither truck has a meaningful advantage in acceleration or handling related to mass. Both use quality brushless motor and ESC combinations, waterproof electronics, and durable plastic chassis components designed for bashing abuse.

Team Associated brings strong racing pedigree to the Rival MT10 V2. The company's history in competitive RC racing stretches back decades and runs deeper than Arrma's bashing-focused background. This engineering heritage shows in subtle but appreciable ways: chassis tuning decisions, suspension geometry choices, and shock valving that many experienced drivers find more refined out of the box. The Rival's shock tuning is frequently praised in community reviews as being particularly well-dialed for mixed-terrain bashing, providing a composed ride without feeling overdamped. The Granite's shocks are perfectly functional but can benefit from an oil weight change to heavier fluid for rough terrain.

Parts availability slightly favors the Granite given Arrma's larger market share in the bashing segment, so more hobby shops stock Arrma parts as a default. Team Associated parts are readily available online and at shops that cater to the racing side of the hobby, so you won't struggle to find what you need, but same-day local availability is less guaranteed than with the Granite.

The noticeable price gap puts the Granite in a strong overall position for buyers prioritizing value. It's faster by 10 mph, nearly identical in size and weight, and noticeably less expensive. The Rival MT10 V2 counters meaningfully with better stock battery capacity for longer sessions, slightly better ground clearance for rough terrain, and Team Associated's refined engineering and suspension tuning. For pure value on paper, the Granite wins the comparison. For someone willing to invest modestly more for a subtly more refined driving experience with longer runtime from the factory battery spec, the Rival MT10 V2 deserves serious consideration and represents genuine competition in this segment.