Hot Wheels has been a staple of the American toy scene since the late 1960s. Over five decades, the brand–a division of toy giant Mattel–has introduced toy renditions of some of the most popular, expensive and rare vehicles ever built. Many auto manufacturers have released design blueprints and details so the toy maker can re-create accurate, scale models of some of their most celebrated vehicles–attracting kids and adults alike. Everything from presidential limousines to World War II armored personnel carriers have gotten the toy treatment from Hot Wheels.
Central to the loyal fanbase are gearheads and auto enthusiasts who love to collect the cars because they offer a special type of car ownership experience. The aftermarket also exists in the Hot Wheels universe: some collectors paint and customize the toys to match their exact vehicle. No matter the level of interest, it’s hard for anyone to ignore the fact that many are cooler than the real-life vehicles upon which they’re based. Even pedestrian family vehicles gain a certain street credibility become once they’ve had the Hot Wheels treatment.
Here are seven Hot Wheels models that are “hotter” than the real thing.
Chevrolet Blazer
The Blazer was one of America’s original SUVs, and though it’s recently made a return to the Chevrolet lineup as a jelly-bean shaped crossover, the original versions remain legendary for their rugged style and off-road capabilities. This Hot Wheels model is based on the old-school Blazer and looks to be modeled specifically after the S-10 model, which was smaller than the full-size truck. Either way, the classic stripes and bright paint scheme here calls back to a simpler time when graphics packages were big business for automakers.
Dodge Charger
This car is instantly recognizable, even for people who dislike the popular Fast and the Furious movie franchise. The Dodge Charger owned by Dominic “Dom” Toretto (portrayed by Vin Diesel) made an appearance in four of the movies and stole the show each time. Though it was a piece of behind-the-scenes trickery, the car even managed a major wheelie during a drag race in the first film.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic Hatchback is a legendary vehicle in import tuner circles. Its tiny four-cylinder engine can be tuned to deliver astronomical levels of power and its small, lightweight construction makes it easy to build an extremely quick car. The Hot Wheels Civic, modeled after the Civic EF (fourth-generation car), is finished in white with large VTEC decals, which is a nod to Honda’s massively successful group of engines.
Land Rover Ranger Rover Velar
Land Rover‘s Velar is a part of its Range Rover family of SUVs and is a relatively new addition to the lineup, which also includes the classic Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport and the Range Rover Evoque. The SUV debuted in 2017 and Hot Wheels miniaturized it soon after. Unlike many Hot Wheels that are based on customized versions of iconic vehicles, the Velar is modeled after its standard offering. That’s ok, though, because the SUV’s is loaded with tech and luxury amenities in addition to a classic silhouette. The brand’s history as a transport for the British Royal Family also makes it special enough just as it is.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also affectionately known as the G-Wagen, might not have the royal pedigree of the Range Rover Velar, but it does have the unique honor of being an internationally recognized symbol of abundant wealth. Anywhere on earth, a G-Wagen immediately designates its owner as someone fistfuls of cash and a desire to spend it. The Hot Wheels model is based on a rare-version of the truck. Its two-door, open-air design was offered for short periods of time in the late 1990s and at a few other times in the vehicle’s history. One was even built out as a Pope-mobile.
Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss LT
The off-road-ready Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss debuted for the 2019 model year as the automaker’s answer to the wildly popular Ford F-150 Raptor. The truck’s beefy styling, combined with a factory suspension lift kit, ground shaking 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 and blacked-out exterior trim certainly help it stand out, but this Hot Wheels version goes even further. The toy Trail Boss has been “tuned” by the suspension experts at Belltech, which is a company that makes lift kits, lowering kits and OEM replacement shocks for a variety of trucks and other vehicles.
Jeep Wrangler
There aren’t many vehicles on the road today whose history is a long or as storied as that of the Jeep Wrangler. This one was created with several off-road-ready upgrades that many real-life Wrangler owners can add to their vehicles. Tube-frame doors, a winch kit, an upgraded hood and large bead-lock wheels and tires are all common aftermarket additions for the Wrangler. So many Wrangler owners upgrade their Jeeps with aftermarket parts that it’s considered to be the most customized vehicle on the market today.
Bonus: Hot Wheels Dream Garage and Fantasy Cars
Over the years, Hot Wheels has released several outlandish, colorful and sometimes impossibly complicated art cars. Some, such as its Dream Garage series, have a basis in real-life cars, but many are complete oddities. There’s the 2 Jet Z, which is a futuristic go-kart, the Mattel Dream Mobile and the Rip Rod, any of which would be shocking to see as an actual road-going vehicle. What about spotting the prehistoric dinosaur-inspired Fangster, Motosaurus or T-Rextroyer parked at the local supermarket?
Realistic or not, Hot Wheels is one of the most iconic toy brands in the world, especially for gearheads. The company’s imagination and creativity evolves every year, as each new collection seems to one-up the models that came before it. Even so, it’s the toy versions of real cars that make Hot Wheels so special.