[REVIEW] 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV

[Clone OPatra]

Johnny is back again again! Need I say more?

SET INFORMATION
Number: 60424
Name: Jungle Explorer ATV (Red Panda Mission)
Theme: City
Released: 2024
Part Count: 92
Minifigures: 1 + 1 red panda
Set Price (RRP): 9.99 EUR / 8.99 GBP / 14.99 AUD / 10.99 USD / 13.99 CAD
Links: Brickset Bricklink Flickr album

This set marks the fourth entry into LEGO's current trend of small CITY sets containing a new animal (or two). And in fact, it's the third instance of them containing an "ATV". Still, there are some notable differences, like this set having only one animal (which is also coming in another set), more focus on the vehicle, and a specifically desirable minifigure. Let's see how it stacks up.

FIGURES
Somehow, Johnny Thunder returned... for the third time! Yes that's right, Johnny keeps returning, but this version is a good clean modern update which sticks closely to the original, minus the gun. The face print this time around is very similar to the CMF version, just with a five o'clock shadow, because in the jungle, no one can hear you... shave, I guess.

The red panda is also super cute. It makes use of all of LEGO's current production modes, with both dual moulding (new reddish orange and white) and somewhat complex printing for the legs. The legs being printed rather than moulded is noticeable, especially in these close-up photos, but it doesn't bother me. I'm glad LEGO gave it a stud on the back since that really pushes it's LEGO-ness, unlike a few other small animals in recent years.

The only drawback of the red panda is that there's only one of them included in the set! However, red pandas are solitary creatures, so it makes sense, though all the other small animal sets I mentioned in the intro have included at least three animals with the addition of stuff like fish or a scorpion, so perhaps this set could've included a butterfly?

For accessories we get an exclusive portion of the four-part map to combine with the ones in the other three sets in the wave. I'm not sure what the set suggests Johnny should do when he finds the red panda. Take a photo of it? Radio it in? I didn't know Johnny was known for his prowess with a camera.

 

THE BUILDS
Much like in 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter, which I reviewed recently, the set really favours the vehicle over the terrain, which is almost as basic as it can be. The ATV, on the other hand, is doing a lot with a small amount of parts, including the diagonal pattern motif, and incorporating the full colour scheme of the wave's vehicles.

I was a little put off by the name ATV applied to this car, to be honest, because LEGO has almost always done quad-bike types of ATVs in its ATV-named sets. This vehicle has much more to it, but in real life there are vehicles like this that still fit the ATV classification, so it isn't mis-named.

The ATV has the features one might want, including clips on the back for accessories and a good compartment for the map and compass. I love a vehicle that can fit all of the accessories included in a set. I would say that the whole car feels slightly long, though I'm not sure how they could've cut it down a stud in length and still included all the features.

Its length doesn't stop it from being loaded up in the helicopter from the big set. Check my review for more on this set's integration with that one.

CONCLUSION & RATINGS
Personally, I enjoy this set. The little car is rugged and can hold the accessories. The figure is good, and the animal is novel and cute. It's a cheap buy and kids will likely have fun because zoomy cars with balloon tires are inherently fun.

All that said, compared to the other recent sets in this category, this one goes quite light on the animals, and the minifigure is niche and specific. Therefore you might feel the "value" isn't quite as good as it could be, but for a $10 or $11 set, it's not bad by any means.

8 MINIFIGURES 
It's a decent modern Johnny, but nothing amazing, and a bit niche.

7 PIECES
The red panda does the heavy lifting in this category, and the exclusive map is cool too. Everything else is fine, and there could be more animals.

7 BUILD/DESIGN
The car is well-built and designed even if it feels a stud too long. The terrain build is fine but nothing to dwell on.

8 Playability
A zoomy car is always playable, and the fact that all the accessories can attach or fit in it, and even the red panda can go on the back, is great.

9 Price
I only dinged one off of this because the "value" just seems slightly weak due to it only having one animal.

7.8 OVERALL
Ultimately I think this set is a better companion to the big helicopter than it is on its own. It's a fine little set, but not as much fun as some of the others in the category have been given the lack of animals.

[Horation]

I love the little panda! A reasonable and cheap set!

[The Reader]

@CloneO Patra Thank you very much for that great review.

These 10 $/€ City sets are great. I would give this set a 10/10 ... if it had only two (!) red pandas. I just don't understand why we get only one red panda. The sets you mentioned (60300, 60376, 60394) all had two main animals (monkeys, seals, otter).  But as I got it with discount I don't complain too much.

 

On 9/3/2024 at 10:32 PM, Clone OPatra said:

a stud too long

Hm ... ... I modified the ATV so it fits the classic Adventurers' cockpit piece (part 30149) in DBG. I had to make it one stud longer. But now Johnny can be accompagnied by Doc Lightning:

[Clone OPatra]

2 hours ago, The Reader said:

@CloneO Patra Thank you very much for that great review.

These 10 $/€ City sets are great. I would give this set a 10/10 ... if it had only two (!) red pandas. I just don't understand why we get only one red panda. The sets you mentioned (60300, 60376, 60394) all had two main animals (monkeys, seals, otter).  But as I got it with discount I don't complain too much.

Yeah, if those other sets didn't exist I might give this a 10/10 too, but compared to those this is lacking something.

[YellowFrog]

Great review, and Lego made a great excuse to bring back Johnny Thunder.

If anyone wants to see a MOC I made using this set, and the modifications I made, see below: