While engaging with the unfolding revolution in autonomous driving, a challenge presents itself, how can we effectively raise societal awareness about this transformative trend? While full-scale autonomous driving vehicles often come with a hefty price tag, the emergence of scaled-down, small-scale car platforms offers a compelling alternative. These miniature vehicles are designed to perform predefined tasks and challenges, equipped with onboard sensors, processing units, and control actuators. These platforms not only serve as valuable educational tools for the broader public and young generations but also function as robust research platforms, contributing significantly to the ongoing advancements in autonomous driving technology. This survey outlines various small-scale car platforms, categorizing them and detailing the research advancements accomplished through their usage. The conclusion provides proposals for promising future directions in the field.