LEGO® Icons review: 10290 Pickup Truck

Kevin J. Walter returns as a guest author today with a 2021 set that is so gorgeous we really felt it needed to be reviewed, better late than never! Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

When I first saw the announcement of the LEGO® Pickup Truck in August 2021, images of rural American farm life came into my mind. Old MacDonald had a ride! 

Its release last October was the third large-scale vehicle released in 2021 by the line formerly known as LEGO® Creator Expert (now LEGO® Icons), following 10295 Porsche 911 and 10279 Volkswagen T2 Camper Van.

The set contains 1,677 parts divided over 8 bags and has a nice little collection of props accompanying the pickup truck. Before we take a closer look at the build itself, let’s explore the new parts in this set.

The parts in 10290 Pickup Truck

While there aren’t many new moulds, we do get a ton of recolours and parts that are rare and reappear here after long absences.

New moulds

• 1x Propeller 3 Blade 3 Diameter with Pin Hole (6371743|65768) in Black looks to be a new mould appearing for the first time in this set as a replacement (or complimentary addition) for Propeller 3 Blade 3 Diameter with Axle Hole (6041)

New prints

• 1x Tile 2 x 4 with White 'LEGO' print (6360045|87079pr0256) in Dark Red
• 1x Slope Curved 2 x 1 No Studs [1/2 Bow] with Silver '8' print (6360046|11477pr0015) in Light Bluish Grey
• 1x Tile Round 2 x 4 with Car Dashboard, Speed Dials Print (6360044|66857pr0011) in Black

New recolours

• 4x Plant, Carrot (6164293|33172) in White
• 2x Arm Skeleton [Bent / 2 Clips] (6363108|93609) in Light Bluish Grey
• 8x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 2 Inverted (6359683|73825) in Dark Red
• 6x (9359688|11458): Plate Special 1 x 2 with Pin Hole on Top - Dark Red
• 16x Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical [Thick Open O Clip] (6359695|60897) in Dark Red
• 10x Tile Special 2 x 2 Inverted (6296962|11203) in Dark Red
• 14x Bracket 2 x 2 with 1 x 2 Vertical Studs (6359692|41682) Dark Red
• 10x Slope Curved 2 x 1 Inverted (6219655|24201) in Dark Red
• 2x Tile Special 2 x 3 with 2 Clips [Thick Open O Clips] (6374443|30350b) in Dark Red
• 1x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Right (6359690|77182) in Dark Red
• 1x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Left (6359689|77180) in Dark Red
• 2x Plate 2 x 16 (6359694|4282) in Dark Red
• 4x Panel 1 x 4 x 2 with Side Supports - Hollow Studs (6359738|14718) in Dark Red, two of which have stickers applied
• 4x Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 2/3 with Four Studs on One Side (6359684|22885) in Dark Red
• 16x Brick Curved 2 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top - Corner (6359685|67810) in Dark Red
• 10x Slope Curved 3 x 2 No Studs (6264031|24309) in Dark Red
• 8x Spoiler, Plate Special 1 x 2 (6359693|30925) in Dark Red

Rare and reappearing parts

• 6x Plant, Flower, Minifig Accessory with 7 Thick Petals and Pin (6338913|32606) in White. Appears in 5 other sets; the Pickup features the highest quantity
• 2x Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter (6362967|25269) in Dark Tan, reappeared after 3 years for the first time in 2021, last time in 41627 Brickheadz Luke Skywalker and Yoda with five of them
• 2x Hose Rigid 3mm D. 10L / 8.0cm (6361430|75c10) in Light Bluish Grey, one built in set, one as leftover part. Reappearing after 15 years, last time 2006 in 10175 Vader’s TIE Advanced
• 18x Plate Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole Type 1 (+ Opening) (403228|4032a) in Green. Appears here with the second highest count, only outnumbered by the 21045 Architecture Trafalgar Square from 2019 with 23x
• 2x Plate Special 1 x 2 with Clip Horizontal on End (6354613|63868) in Sand Green, second appearance in 2021
• 2x Plate Special 1 x 3 with 2 Studs with Groove and Inside Stud Holder (Jumper) (6335230|34103) in Sand Green, appears in 3 sets since 2020
• 14x Brick Curved 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top (6359686|6081) in Dark Red, reappeared after six years, the last time begin 75099 Rey’s Speeder, also second highest quantity
• 1x Windscreen 2 x 12 x 4 (6338604|6267) in Trans-Clear, appears for the second time in 2021 together with the Porsche set, having stickers applied to it
• 3x Plate 6 x 12 (6212076|3028) in Dark Red, first appearance since 2018

Parts in high quantities

• 12x Bracket 5 x 2 x 1 1/3 (6039194|11215) in Black, second highest quantity in a set
• 5x Plant, Pumpkin (6267125|51270) in Orange, surprisingly the highest quantity in a set
• 10x Creature Body Part, Barb Large (Claw, Talon) with Clip (6359723|16770) in Light Bluish Grey, highest quantity
• 24x Tile 1 x 6 with Groove (4507047|6636) in Dark Tan, third highest quantity
• 6x Brick Special 1 x 1 with Headlight and Slot (6273590|4070a) in Dark Tan, second highest part count

 

• 27x Tile 1 x 1 with Groove (4550169|3070b) in Dark Red, third highest quantity behind two sets from 2014
• 16x Plate Special 2 x 2 x 0.667 with Two Studs On Side and Two Raised (6359716|99206) in Dark Red, second highest quantity, only outnumbered by 10294 Titanic
• 24x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 No Studs (6341767|37352) in Dark Red, highest quantity
• 10x Bracket 1 x 2 - 2 x 2 Inverted (6335330|99207) in Dark Red, highest quantity
• 8x Brick Special 1 x 1 x 1 2/3 with Studs on 1 Side (6311108|32952) in Dark Red. Second highest to date, only outnumbered by 10309 Succulents

The build

What I really like about this set are the accompanying props representing the four seasons, which could easily stand as a set on their own. I like that they are the starting point in the building order and not some afterthought. 

We have a wheelbarrow, flowers and watering can for spring; a milk can, tomatoes, carrots and white radishes for summer crops; pumpkins and standee for autumn; and finally a Christmas wreath and a present for winter. Rarely are carrots and flowers better scaled to a LEGO set than here! The wreath is actually a bit tricky to construct, with a build process that can be frustrating until the wreath is closed, at which point it becomes very stable.

Like its automotive predecessors, the pickup features the typical working steering system and functional opening doors. What I personally find remarkable with LEGO Icons cars is how the techniques for the steering wheel and the doors differ from car to car, and are all befitting the vehicle they are made for. 

I found the door mechanism on the pickup to be particularly outstanding in its functionality, with a genius use of the LEGO® Technic rubber part.

The other remarkable aspect of this set are its many rounded shapes. The pickup has nearly no straight 90-degree angles, as nearly every square centimetre is covered by curves. 

Even more impressive are the clever techniques and parts used to achieve this look; one of which is the solution for the mudguards. The curved bricks, including corner bricks, achieve the look of a classic car splendidly.

Overall, the front section is incredibly well done. From the rounded mudguards and functional opening bonnet with sand green motor engine lying beneath, to the perfectly fitting lights made of Flat Silver shields and the grille made of animal claws, this pickup really brings the 1950s vibes!

There is only one odd construction on the rear of the pickup, although this is just an aesthetic nit-pick. On the underside of the load area there are four brackets with inverted slopes that the rear mudguards are connected to, and I wonder why these brackets were not covered up by 2x2 curved slopes. It doesn’t affect the stability of the mudguards but it seems to look unfinished.

A small but nice detail is the printed 2x4 tile with the LEGO emblem which creates the illusion of embossed metal. The pictures sadly can’t recreate this illusion that well. The LEGO emblem is in the style presented on 1950s packaging such as the original LEGO Mursten sets of bricks.

The back mirror with a farm and sunrise on a sticker gives the set an idyllic flair, and the removable fences on the back of the pickup which give you some variations for display are more evidence of how much thought, effort and attention to detail went into this set.

Conclusion

This set was a pure delight to build; a real pick-me-up you might say. Assembling it was thrilling and very entertaining with few redundant steps. For me, the “four seasons” accessories are the secret stars. 

10290 Pickup is a perfect addition to the large-scale vehicle range, and for me one of the best automobiles LEGO has ever produced. I can also recommend this set just for parts, as the quantity of useful Dark Red elements is staggering! In my opinion the LEGO Pickup Truck is a must-buy for every car fan, or Dark-Red-loving AFOL. If you decide to buy this set (or anything!) from LEGO.com, please consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'.

Editors: Chris Baginski & Tim Johnson

READ MORE: Building with the LEGO® 1x1x2/3 Plate with Open Stud

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