Silverado to Silverado: Kinsmart 1:32 vs. Maisto 1:43 Power Racer 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500

One of the reasons why I wanted to post this first is because this is the first time the Maisto Power Racer version of the 2014 Chevy Silverado casting has been seen.  I have not seen it anywhere else since nor any online.  Many have seen the 1:64 version, without an interior, towing trailers out back.  This was significant not only for the first look at the Maisto Power Racer Silverado, but shortly after I found this one I found the Kinsmart version in green.  Time to see how the two stack up.

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I'm not going into much about the new Chevy Silverado since I profiled it last year a few times already.  It is all-new, but didn't seem like it when it looks much like the previous-generation, warranting a refresh for 2016.  Still many diecast manufacturers have made the truck (with a few more coming), and all seem to be the same four-door Z71 4x4.  Still, there are some distinctions between the few: The Jada looks about right, the Matchbox looks like the Heavy Duty versions, the Greenlight the same with a cool lifted and police version, Kinsmart with stock and police versions with running boards, and the Maisto version that is not an LTZ.  A few differences but all the same, whereas the Ram and F-150 have some diverse castings.

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Maisto released the Chevy Silverado back in 1999 as the first 1:64 version on the market, a rather rounded example, then the 1:24 and 1:43 Power Racer.  The 1:24 sported 1997 F-150 teardrop wheels before the Chevy 5-spoked arrived a year later.  I remember the 1:24 as a bland casting that was the first truck to not have steerable front wheels or an opening tailgate.  Many agreed.  For 2015 Maisto opted out of the 1:24 (probably knowing that market is covered) and went with 1:64 and 1:43.  The new Silverado starts with a dark metallic maroon color similar to the 2010 Camaro Power Racer.  The front has a large grille with detailed bowtie and Z71 badge, and headlights that are not detailed so they can be standard or Camaro-like projector beams.  The lower bumper has foglights, tow hooks, and front sensors for parking.  The sides have detailed trim, Z71 badges, and 5-spoke wheels that are not the LTZ model type and are rather REALLY SMALL!  Bad enough that it also shows off the large pullback motor at the rear and a raked stance that, combined with the rear motor and low front overhang, infringes on off-road ability.

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The bed is useless with the motor in the way even with the nifty bumper steps.  It has the ribbed taillight affect and detailed badges at the rear.  As usual Maisto rarely, if ever, details the base underneath.  The doors open to an interior with the proper dashboard layout and, thankfully in a twist of fate, the Silverado's stock 4-spoke steering wheel over the outdated 3-spokes normally found on Power Racer vehicles from Maisto.  Doors could use a separate black panel piece like the Kinsmart and Welly versions.  Ovarall nicely-done for a non-LTZ Silverado that needs more help underneath with a smaller pullback motor and larger wheels.

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Over at Kinsmart you get a larger size (almost 1:32  scale), four colors to choose from, and more features.  I chose the green that is similar, if a few shades lighter, to the Lime Rock Green offered on the 2015 Silverado's.  The stance is much lower with larget 5-spoke LTZ wheels and chrome running boards that really don't seem necessary.  The front has a large chrome grille with separate black grille inserts, bowtie and LTZ badges, lower bumper without the tow hooks or parking sensors, and detailed headlights to show off the projector beam look.  The sides have the similar look as the Maisto but with the Z71 badge replaced with a 4x4 badge at the rear fenders.  The rear has detailed bumper steps, taillights where the reverse lamps could move closer to the tailgate, badges and even a detailed license plate.  The rear-end seems to squat lower than usual, but at least the tailgate opens to a useable bed despite the pullback motor underneath.

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Kinsmart didn't stop there as the roof incorporates a sunroof, satellite radio antenna, and center brake and cargo lights on the back side.  The base, on the other hand, shows Kinsmart's laziness: just a few covers, a few pipes, and not much else; in fact, the base details look a lot like the 2014 Camaro's base!  Inside the interior has the same features but in more clear detail: you can see the radio buttons, the controls to the left of the gauge pod, the pedals, and even the bowtie on the steering wheel. (better light from the sunroof helps as well)   I did add details to the interior trim on the dashboard and center console to give it some more visual pop, as well as the mirror part of the exterior mirrors and attempted to extend the exhaust to the traditional stock exit point.

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Both offer great details, but none can pin them 100% exactly, yet when your competition is also making a me-too 2014 Silverado you have to find a way to stand out.  Whether for the best or worst both of these castings have a personality of their own.