Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Super-sized Hot Wheels show is brand heavy but has heart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In HOT WHEELS: ULTIMATE CHALLENGE contestants transform replicas of cars that have special meaning to them into life-size Hot Wheels. Each week, judges select the best car makeover and the winners receive $25,000. At the end of the series, an ultimate winner is selected, and their real-life car will be made into an actual Hot Wheels toy and sold in stores. Of course, it wouldn't be a reality competition show without a few twists and turns and a sprinkling of familiar faces, including Terry Crews, Jay Leno, and Joel McHale.
Is It Any Good?
The latest toy-based reality show probably isn't what you're picturing. Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge isn't a contest to see who can build the craziest track, but rather what you'd get if Monster Garage and Lego Masters had a baby. But the biggest surprise of the series is how effectively it'll tug at your heartstrings. Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge drills down to the emotional bonds many people, men especially, seem to have with their cars and the memories associated with them. Folks from all walks of life come together over this common ground and big burly motor heads regularly cry. The only miss is the contestants not getting to keep their one-of-a-kind creations. After spending the entire show sharing how much the cars mean to them, viewers will feel a little cheated not getting to see the contestants driving off into the sunset.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how many of the contestants have displayed perseverance. What is this and why is it an important character strength?
Why do you think many of the contestants get so emotional about the cars they're working on? How do experiences and memory play into our connection to things?
Point out the ways that the hosts and other regular cast members display empathy. Why is this an important thing to do when people open up to you? What are some ways you can practice empathy in your own life?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 31, 2023
- Cast: Terry Crews , Joel McHale , Jay Leno
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cars and Trucks , STEM
- Character Strengths: Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: December 6, 2023
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