My Top 5 Matchbox Mainline Models of 2025

The end of the year always provides a perfect opportunity to look back at the year of diecast and appreciate some of the best models that entered my collection.  Even though Matchbox’s 2025 was dominated by poor distribution and its massive pegwarmer problem, Team Orange still managed to deliver some excellent new castings.  As always, to be eligible for this list, I have to have a casting in my possession, which means the entirety of mix 7/G will not be eligible since that case completely missed my region.  So, without further ado: 

Number 5: 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible

The Z06 is easily the most compelling model in the C8 Corvette lineup, yet it has been largely absent in the world of diecast.  While every diecast company raced to model the original C8, the Z06 just hasn’t seen the same treatment, so I’m stoked that Matchbox has stepped up to give us the 1/64 Z06 we needed. 

Back when we first saw sneaks of this model, I wasn’t sure whether it was going to be a Z06 or an E-Ray, given the similarities in the bodywork.  Now that it’s here, one look at those epic center-mounted quad exhausts is all you need to instantly identify this Vette as a Z06!  The giant spoiler certainly doesn’t hurt either, though I can’t help but feel like the “CORVETTE” text on the back bumper is a bit too big. 

Visually, I think this casting’s base design makes it look a bit too tall, even though its actual hood and roof line are no taller than the original C8 Corvette casting’s.  The light gray base is used to form a splitter and side skirts, giving this Z06 a much lower ride height, but I think it ends up making the ground effects look a little too exaggerated.  The base design, combined with the uninspiring color choice for this debut version, are what hold the Z06 convertible back from being higher on this list. 

Number 4: Maserati MC12

This year’s big news may have been the return of the Ferrari license to Mattel, but with it came the return of Maserati, and Matchbox really chose to embrace the brand from Modena.  We haven’t seen the MC12 since its brief appearance in the Hot Wheels line 20 years ago.  Given how much casting design has improved in the years since, it’s no surprise that this new Matchbox version is a massive leap forward!  

The casting’s base is used to form the MC12’s distinctive two tone design, including the massive spoiler at the back.  This being a Matchbox, printed detailing is a strong point, with headlights and a grille at the front and brake lights, a grille, and even detailed exhaust tips at the back!  Check out that massive rear diffuser too! 

As cool as it is, it’s also not perfect.  This MC12 suffers from the same “droopy nose” that we’ve seen on a number of Matchbox supercars, and the side windows are a bit too small.  This casting also seems to be prone to paint quality issues around the doors, as you can see on my example.  With Hot Wheels currently working on their own MC12 for the premium line, I can’t help but wonder whether this Matchbox version will end up overshadowed in the long run, but it’s nevertheless a cool addition to the lineup.  I hope we continue to see more poster-worthy cars like this from Matchbox.  I wrote a whole feature on the MC12, which you can check out here. 

Number 3: 2024 Subaru WRX STI S4

This new WRX arrived in the very last Matchbox mix of the year, but I’m glad it was able to sneak in just in time to appear on this list, because it’s actually one of the most exciting and noteworthy models of the year!  For whatever reason, the WRX has been one of those cars that we can never get a clean, factory spec version of – they’re either released as police cars, or with silly side graphics, or as Fast & Furious tie-ins.  This new WRX is different.  It’s a 100% stock version of a Japanese-only special edition called the STI S4, and it looks fantastic.  In fact, it looks even better than the real car it’s trying to replicate!

The current generation of Subaru WRX is famous for is black plastic body cladding that few car enthusiasts seem to like, myself included.  I just don’t want my sedan to look like an SUV, even if it is one of the most offroad-capable sedans on the market.  Thanks to Matchbox’s limited budget for printed detailing, this WRX doesn’t have that plastic cladding, and it looks much better as a result.  The detailing budget was saved for the front and rear of the model, both of which are exemplary.  I have to give Matchbox credit for the license plate at the rear, which is spectacularly detailed and features a coded message in classic Matchbox fashion.  If you haven’t already, check out my full feature on this model too! 

Number 2: BMW M2

When it comes to cars that look better in diecast form than they do in real life, it’s hard to beat the BMW M2.  The current generation M2’s styling is divisive to say the least, and I have never loved the way it forces square shapes and straight lines onto body panels that look designed for curves.  Yet, somehow, that same styling seems to work when translated onto this Matchbox model.  I still wouldn’t call it pretty, but the flared side skirts and bulging, slat-covered rear bumper look incredibly aggressive in 1/64 scale. 

There have been a few noteworthy changes in shrinking the design of the M2, including a missing crease between the bottom of the wheel arch and the brake lights, as well as a set of well-detailed brake lights that don’t bulge out from the bodywork like they do on the real car.  The M2’s compelling elements have been preserved though, with its aggressive quad exhausts and black roof.  While I personally prefer my M2’s in powder blue, I can’t fault the choice of bright red to debut this model.  It stands out in its packaging, and contrasts nicely with the dark black accents of the grilles, bumper, and roof.

This M2 is easily my surprise of the year.  My expectations for this model were pretty low, but it turned out to be an incredibly compelling little car.  You can read my full thoughts on it here.

Number 1: 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible

You probably guessed this one, right?  Unlike the WRX and the M2, there is nothing to complain about when it comes to the LC500’s styling.  It’s a drop-dead gorgeous car in classic halo car fashion, so Matchbox had everything to lose in bringing this car to 1/64.  Luckily, the Matchbox version ended up looking just as great as the real LC500, with the added benefit of a few zeros removed from its price tag!  The mesh of the grille looks great, and the LC’s complicated headlight geometry is fairly well aligned, though there could have been a bit more detail in them.  

The same is true around back, where the brake lights are perfectly aligned and wrap nicely around onto the sides of the model, but they inevitably lack the infinity mirror effect of the real LC500.  The Lexus and LC500 badges look great, and I appreciate that Matchbox even printed a black dot above the Lexus badge to represent the button to pop the trunk!  The metallic red paint looks perfect for a luxury car like this, and I’m happy to see that a blue version is coming soon in the 2026 line!

Even the interior on this LC500 looks great, finished in caramel brown with a driver-focused cockpit design.  The seat bases are a bit too short, though. 

Every year, there are one or two models that truly stand out above the rest of the Matchbox lineup, and the LC500 is one of those models.  The casting is excellent, there is just the right amount of printed detailing, and it’s a cool car to boot.  This is exactly what I want from the Matchbox mainline, and I hope to see a whole rainbow of recolors in the years to come! 

Honorable Mention: 1997 Acura Integra Type R

It’s always interesting – and a little frustrating – when a Matchbox model catches the attention of the wider world of Hot Wheels collectors.  We saw it with the Mk5 Supra last year, and so it was this year with the Integra Type R.  This casting slots perfectly into the JDM fandom that dominates the Hot Wheels world, so it was no surprise to see this casting get a lot of attention.  Deservedly, too!  Its success shows that Matchbox should make more enthusiast focused cars like this, because it helps grow the brand. 

It’s a good model too, with Matchbox’s classically-great printed detailing and a white-on-white look that screams 90’s.  I suspect this casting will benefit from Matchbox’s new, smaller five spoke wheels, because these six spokes aren’t the best looking.  I love the red interior though, and the RHD/LHD interior variation is a clever way to get collectors to buy multiple copies!  Ultimately, this model feels like a shot across the bow at Hot Wheels, because it launched in a nearly identical spec to their RLC Integra Type R…which begs the question: why is the RLC worth 30x the price? 

Honorable Mention: 2023 Toyota Prius Prime

For the first time in its history, the Toyota Prius actually seems like a compelling automobile.  The newest generation looks very cool and has power to rival a VW GTI, and given Matchbox’s focus on EVs and hybrids it makes perfect sense to include one in the lineup!  I have zero complaints about the execution of this Prius – it’s wonderfully detailed and captures the real car’s design well.  The wheels are perhaps a bit out of scale, but that’s often the case with Matchbox models, and I don’t mind it. 

The thing holding this 2023 Prius Prime back from being on the Top 5 list isn’t actually anything to do with this casting – it’s the fact that this isn’t the only Matchbox 2023 Prius Prime.  For some unfathomable reason, Matchbox chose to release both a mainline and a Moving Parts version of the exact same car.  Why?!

There is an extremely limited number of production slots for new castings, so why would they waste one making the same car twice?  The Moving Parts version doesn’t benefit from any added detailing and the mainline version doesn’t suffer from the ugly panel gaps around the doors, so it has effectively rendered the Moving Parts Prius pointless.  Two different castings of the exact same car seems like a recipe for pegwarmers to me, something Matchbox definitely doesn’t need more of.  Thus, it didn’t really feel right to include this as a new model for the Top 5 list, even though it is technically a new casting. 

Honorable Mention: 2025 Ram 1500 REV

This casting has become a bit awkward now that Stellantis has cancelled the Ram REV, but it’s still a well-scaled and well-detailed truck that is a welcome addition to the Matchbox lineup.  It’s not really an interesting enough vehicle to be Top 5 material, but I always love having a variety of realistic “regular” cars like this to act as background traffic for my photography. 

Despite the Matchbox brand’s notable pegwarmer and distribution issues in 2025, they still managed to bring us some incredibly cool models.  Hopefully, they will be able to improve their distribution going forward, because based on what we’ve seen so far, there are some incredibly exciting models coming in 2026 that I want to be able to actually get my hands on!  

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my other Top 5 lists!