LEGO® NINJAGO® review: vehicle sets 71789, 71791, 71792 & 71794

From the very start the ninjas of LEGO® NINJAGO® have been moving around in all types of vehicles, be it cars, bikes, mechs, planes, canceled trains and many more. In this review I’ll be looking at 4 vehicle-orientated sets from the June 2023 wave. 

Namely, 71794 Lloyd and Arin’s Ninja Team Mechs, 71792 Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer, 71791 Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car and 71789 Kai and Ras’s Car and Bike Battle. Is it just me or are the name of sets getting to be a bit long lately?

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
71789 Kai and Ras’s Car and Bike Battle
US$19.99/ £18.99/ 20.99€/ AU$34.99
103 parts

71791 Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car
US$34.99/ £29.99/ 34.99€/ AU$62.99
307 parts

71792 Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer
US$47.99/ £42.99/ 47.99€/ AU$72.99
384 parts

71794 Lloyd and Arin’s Ninja Team Mechs
US$79.99/ £74.99/ 84.99€/ AU$139.99
764 parts

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I’m not including 71797 Destiny’s Bounty or the Dragon Power Spinjitzu sets as I've already reviewed them, and although they contain a vehicle, I’m saving 71796 Elemental Dragon vs The Empress Mech and 71798 Nya and Arin’s Baby Dragon Battle for a review about the dragon-oriented sets.

Before we take the vehicles for a ride, a quick pit stop to look at the new elements found in these sets.

New molds

Pooling the 4 sets, we find these new molds:

• Arin uses a Whip with Grappling Hook in Black (6430279 | 3206) to move around. The new mold is made out of the same rubbery material as the Equipment Whip - Bent (88704). The handle and top of the grappling hook are a standard 3.18mm bar diameter, but the hooks themselves have no official connection points. The bend in the center provides a spring action. The element is found in 71794 and 71762.
• Despite focusing on vehicles for this review, there are still dragons to be found. And how cute is this baby dragon Riyu in Sand Blue (6434535) found in set 71792!?
• The baddies are wielding a new sword: Weapon Sword with Trans-Orange Blade pattern in Pearl Dark Gray (6430281 | 3214), found in all 4 sets.
• Zane’s car sports these great Lightning with Axle Hole in Trans-Light Blue (6420236 | 2149). They will make great decorative pieces for your MOCs.

But the most interesting new molds are found in Zane’s car. The vehicle can spin around on Dragon Energy Cores made by a newly molded sphere. It is made out of a ribbed, Satin Trans-Clear core, covered by a Trans-Light Blue mantle (6439405 | 92534). To integrate the sphere into the build, a new plate is introduced: Plate Special 2 x 2 with Sphere Hoop in Black (6418458 | 3204). The sphere is held securely inside the hoop, but is still able to spin around. Unfortunately, the sphere jams when pressure is applied, making it unsuitable as a transportation method. Still, used in a stationary display, they will look great on a futuristic vehicle.

The spheres are 2 bricks high, making them bigger than the standard football (left) and 54821 Zamor spheres (second from left). It matches the 52629 Ball 19mm (second to right), found in SPIKE and 21337 Football Table, but is far less smooth. The 61287 Dome Hemisphere 2 x 2 with Cutout (right) is a bit bigger. The sphere fits in a Technic Cup, but I was unable to remove it without damaging any of the parts involved.

Given the size, the combination could also work as an eye in an eye socket in a life-sized head. You can wait for a sphere with eye print to be introduced, or go for a possessed look using the spheres from this wave of sets.

Recolors

First up some larger parts:

• Technic Panel Fairing #17 Large Smooth, Side A in Dark Orange (6440434 | 64392) and Technic Panel Fairing #18 Large Smooth, Side B in Dark Orange (6440433 | 64682), found in 71794
• Flag 5 x 6 Hexagonal with U Clips in White (6437122 | 17979), found in 71791
• Dish 10 x 10 Inverted (Radar) with Solid Studs in Dark Green (6440431 | 50990), found in 71794
• Wheel Hard Plastic Large, D.36, with 4 Studs in Black (6440829 | 3486), found in 71789 reminds me of the Blacktron II vehicles, and will be very welcome to Space builders.

• Brick Special 2 x 5 with Slope, Studs on Side in Bright Light Orange (6440445 | 79897), found in set 71794
• Tile Special 2 x 4 Inverted in White (6440438 | 3395), found in set 71792
• Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Dark Green (6375624 | 80177) and Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Dark Green (6375814 | 80178), found in set 71794, have appeared in Dark Green before as a printed part. This is their first appearance in this colour without a pattern
• Slope Curved 4 x 3 with 3 Layers, 1 x 3 Cutout on Underside in Dark Green (6440432 | 66955), found in set 71794
• Fin Jagged with Axle Hole in Red (6441688 | 76919), found in set 71794
• Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical [Thick Open O Clip] in Medium Azure (6445843 | 60897), found in set 71791
• Weapon Gun / Pistol Two Barrel in Pearl Gold (6433738 | 95199), found in set 71796

Prints

We get 2 new dragon head prints, as well as a curved wedge brick:

• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head Lower Jaw with Pointy Chin with Green Markings, Eye, Silver Line print in Bright Light Orange (6434496), found in set 71794
• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head with Trans-Yellow Horns Pattern and Red Markings, Yellow Eyes print in Pearl Gold (6434539), found in set 71789
• Wedge Curved 4 x 3 No Studs with Gold Decorations, Dark Red/Bright Light Orange Symbol print in Black (6434501 | 64225pr1), found in set 71789

Interesting elements

Aside from new elements, there are others that are worth talking about.

The mechs in 71794 Lloyd and Arin’s Ninja Team Mechs provide a nice selection of click-rotation hinges. The quantity reminds me a bit of 71774 Lloyd's Golden Ultra Dragon, which I reviewed earlier. Great starter pack for your own mechs and creatures.

We also get a number of rare elements. To prevent a long scroll, I’ve limited the list to elements which, at time of the sets' release, had appeared in just a single set previously.

In the front row:

• Wedge Curved 2 x 3 x 2/3 Two Studs, Wing End in Earth Green/ Dark Green (6424354 | 47456) in set 71794
• Wheel 18 x 14 with Pin Hole in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6403912 | 55889) in set 71794
• Technic Axle Connector 2 x 3 with Ball Socket, Closed Sides in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6416543 | 67695)
• Slope Curved 4 x 2 No Studs in Medium Azure (6109835 | 93606) in set 71791
• Brick Round 2 x 2 Truncated Cone in Earth Green/ Dark Green (6411596 | 98100) in set 71794

And behind that:

• Vehicle Body, Motorcycle / Quadricycle Frame in Black (6409846 | 70682) in set 71789
• Dish 4 x 4 Inverted [Radar] in Earth Green/ Dark Green (6389938 | 3960) in set 71794
• Plate Angled 2 x 2 with Step and Hole in Center in White (6425460 | 79846) in set 71792
• Wheel Hard Plastic (37mm D. x 22mm), Pin Hole in Black (6413638 | 2148) in set 71791
• Dish 6 x 6 Inverted (Radar) with Solid Studs in Transparent Bright Orange/ Trans-Orange (6372114 | 35327) in set 71791
• Wheel 43 with 4 Spokes with1 Holes and Black Integral Tire in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6395295 | 65834) in set 71792
• Pin with Friction, Bar 2L and Towball in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6365695 | 80477) in 71794 and set 71792
• Plant, Flower, Plate Round 1 x 1 with 5 Petals in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6426463 | 24866) in set 71794

Sora has to rely on whatever she can find for her mech bike, and she stumbled upon some old Dark Blue that she repurposed. Wedge Curved 6 x 2 Left in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6106167 | 41748) and Wedge Curved 6 x 2 Right in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6106176 | 41747) have last been seen in 2005. In the middle we find Slope Curved 2 x 2 with Lip, No Studs in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6441154 | 30602), not seen since 2017.

Minifigures

The sets introduce a couple of new characters, starting with 2 new ‘goodies’ aspiring to become ninja.

Sora

Found in set 71792:

• New mold for Hood with Cat Ears, Coral Hair Pattern in Dark Blue (6430280 | 3213)
• New print for Minifig Head in Yellow (6442565)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in Dark Blue (6437172 | 2188)
• New print for Torso in White (6437615)
• New print for Hips and Legs in White (6434456)

Arin

Found in sets 71792 and 71794:

• New mold for Hood with Pearl Gold Horns Pattern in Bright Light Orange (6430278 | 3448)
• New print for Minifig Head in Yellow (6434457)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in Bright Light Orange (6437173 | 2188)
• New print for Torso in Bright Light Orange (6437858)
• New print for Hips and Legs in Bright Light Orange (6434460)

They are up against a new enemy: The Imperium! Among the 4 sets, we find 2 leaders.

Rapton

Found in sets 71792 and 71794:

• Recolor for Hair Short Swept Back with Sideburns and Widow's Peak in White (6262496 | 21268)
• New print for Minifig Head in Yellow (6434476)
• New mold for Shoulder Armor with Stud on Back in Black (6437168 | 3216)
• New print for Torso in Black (6437582)
• New print for Hips and Legs in Pearl Gold (6434474)

Lord Ras

Found in set 71789:

• New molded Head with print in Black (6434480 | 4065)
• New molded Shoulder Armor in Pearl Gold (6430283 | 3216)
• New printed Torso in Dark Red (6437743)
• New printed Legs in Pearl Dark Gray (6434479)

The baddies bring their minions to the fight.

Imperium Claw Hunter

Found in set 71791:

• New mold for Helmet Ninja, Samurai with Horns in Pearl Gold (6430284 | 3217)
• New print for Head in Pearl Gold (6434472)
• Shoulder Armor with Stud on Back in Pearl Gold (6430283 | 3216)
• New printed Torso in Pearl Gold (6437933)
• New printed Legs in Pearl Gold (6434470)

Imperium Claw General

Found in set 71794:

• New mold for Helmet Ninja, Samurai with Horns in Black (6437169 | 3217)
• New print for Head in Pearl Gold (6434472)
• Shoulder Armor with Stud on Back in Black (6437168 | 3216)
• New printed Torso in Black (6437582)
• New printed Legs in Pearl Gold (6434474)

Imperium Commander

Found in set 71791 and 71794:

• New mold for Helmet, Disk Shape with Stud on Front in Black (6437984 | 3221)
• New print for Head in Black (6434471)
• Shoulder Armor with Stud on Back in Black (6437168 | 3216)
• New printed Torso in Black (6437582)
• New printed Legs in Pearl Gold (6434474)

And of course we see some familiar faces as well.

Lloyd

Found in set 71794:

• New mold for Head Wrap Top Half in Bright Green (6437164 | 2187)
• New dual sided printed Head with Vented Stud in Yellow (6434435)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in Bright Green (6437162 | 2188)
• New printed Torso in Bright Green (6438252)
• New printed Legs in Bright Green (6434437)

Kai

Found in set 71789:

• New mold for Head Wrap Top Half in Red (6437149 | 2187)
• New dual sided printed Head with Vented Stud in Yellow (6434427)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in Red (6437147 | 2188)
• New printed Torso in Red (6438255)
• New printed Legs in Red (6434429)

Cole

Found in set 71791:

• New mold for Head Wrap Top Half in Black (6430272 | 2187)
• New dual sided printed Head with Vented Stud in Yellow (6434450)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in Black (6430275 | 2188)
• New printed Torso in Black (6437932)
• New printed Legs in Black (6434452)

Zane

Found in set 71791:

• New mold for Head Wrap Top Half in White (6437170 | 2187)
• New dual sided printed Head in Flat Silver (6434440)
• New mold for Shoulder Guard with Hood and Katana Holder in White (6437171 | 2188)
• New printed Torso in White (6437931)
• New printed Legs in White (6434442)

The yellow and black heads are of the new mold with 2 vent holes in the stud, previously only seen in translucent plastics (28621) .The opaque version has a different Design ID: 3274. The two molds appear identical, though. The Pearl Gold and Flat Silver are of the old 3626c Hollow Stud mold.

The completed sets

I’ll start with the smallest set and work my way up. 

71789 Kai and Ras's Car and Bike Battle

First is 71789 Kai and Ras's Car and Bike Battle with 103 parts. There's not really much to talk about; what you see is what you get. As expected from a 4+ set, the build is pretty quick and simple, but offers enough play for a toddler.

71791 Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car

Next is 71791 Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car with 306 parts. In hindsight, I could have included this set with the Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spinners review, as it has a similar play feature. 

I initially built the set without applying the stickers, and I like the clean look, but the model does feel a bit naked without them.

The car can move forward and backwards like a normal car, but lowering the rear spoiler will raise the wheels and allow the car to rest on the Dragon Energy Cores on the sides, assisted by the Pearl Gold wheel in the back. Give the car a spin and knock out all the enemies!

With stickers applied the car looks better, but I don’t think they are mandatory. 

The finished model offers a lot of play and the wheels raising mechanic is a nice way to introduce children to some LEGO Technic. Aside from the new elements, it’s also a nice way to pick up 4 minifigs.

71792 Sora's Transforming Mech Bike Racer

The set I had been looking forward to the most was 71792 Sora's Transforming Mech Bike Racer with 384 parts. Builds that can transform get bonus points from me and this set did not disappoint. Again, I first built the model without the stickers applied, giving it a nice clean look. I love the White/ Coral/ Dark Blue color scheme. There are rumors Coral will be retired soon, but I hope those rumors are just that.

Folded, the set is a fast looking bike. 

When folded out, a mech appears, with extended arms displaying some serious firepower. A major downside however is found in the legs: in the Ninjago series, the mech is driving around on its wheels, but here the mech has feet, with the wheels hanging in the air. Of course, balancing the mech on 2 wheels would be very hard to pull off by any designer, but I would have liked to see the wheels a bit lower to give the illusion they carry the mech.

Still, a badass looking model with a great color scheme. And for this set, I think the stickers are a must to apply. 

Too bad the windscreen was already in production in Trans-Brown, I would have liked to get my hands on a piece in the new Trans-Black.

71794 Lloyd and Arin's Ninja Team Mechs

With 764 parts, 71794 Lloyd and Arin's Ninja Team Mechs is the biggest set in this review. It features a large mech, controlled by Lloyd, and a smaller one controlled by his apprentice Aron.

The mechs themselves don’t offer a lot of new features. At first I thought the feet of Lloyd’s mech looked somewhat strange, but then I realized they are designed to look like geta, which are traditional Japanese footwear. 

Also note the small detail in the toes. The large toe is a 2-wide cheese slope, with 2 smaller toes next to it, made from 1-wide cheese slopes. Not a mind blowing technique, but I appreciate the thought that went into it.

Lloyd’s mech also has 2 weird black brackets on its knees, and a pin hole in its chest. The explanation: Arin’s mech can be carried around as sort of a baby in a carrier! I’m split over whether I find it cute or hilarious.

I’m likewise split on the large stickers covering the Technic panels that function as a shoulder guard, but an expert on Ninjago, my daughter, is very clear: they look good.

Do they move me?

These sets provide some interesting elements. Zane’s car delivers the spheres and sphere holder, along with decorative lightning. Sora doesn’t bring many new elements, but the existing ones are combined in a good-looking pack. It's also nice to see the long-lost Dark Blue curved slopes reappear as well. 

The most new elements are brought by the largest set, as Lloyd’s mech brings some welcome recolors, as well as a starter pack of click-rotation hinges for your own mech. And even the smallest set brings an interesting new element: that wheel will surely pop up on strange planets.

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READ MORE: What are the new LEGO® parts for August 2023 and which sets contain the most?

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