1:32 scale 2010 Honda CRV, Welly 1:43 2013 Mazda CX-5, and Welly 1:43 2016 Toyota Camry

Sometimes unique vehicles can come out of nowhere from brands that you may or may not have heard from, and yet all of these vehicles are your typical daily commuter car that no one thinks would make a perfect diecast model. These three are a good example of that.

1:32 scale 2010 Honda CR-V

One of the last of the China-made pullback cars that I reviewed I got this CR-V as I had a family member that owned one, though in blue, so I got this black one as a nice companion. In 2007 the third-generation CR-V finally made a bold turn by relieving itself from the rugged SUV look of the past few generations for a more smoother, urban look with the spare tire now mounted under the cargo floor (bye-bye folding table), softer lines, and familiar CR-V styling cues like the vertical taillights. The interior has a more traditional dashboard layout that is cleaner and more modern with plenty of room. No doubt this new look has made a big difference as the CR-V increased its sales and now is the best-selling model in Honda’s U.S. model line. This black one has more of an LX trim look with black plastic lower cladding and chrome wheels that look like the LX’s large steel wheels even though the design looks like a 1990’s Mercedes-Benz wheel. The front has large round headlights (that light up) with smaller round signal lights in one housing that flows below the main grille with Honda logo in chrome and a lower bumper with CRV license plate. The sides have a smooth arc on the window lines with chrome rim and ribbed lower body cladding, while the rear has the vertical taillights, chrome license plate handle with Honda logo, and ribbed lower bumper cladding. The base does not offer much in detail with the exception of the battery cover and speaker for the sounds, and unlike the other 1:32 scale models form China this one lacks the opening hood and rear tailgate. The doors do open, however, to an interior with seating for five, an open cargo area with little pullback motor intrusion, and the shifter mounted on the dashboard. The dashboard seems a bit pinched, lacks any fine control details, and the steering wheel seems a bit generic. For such a popular generation it is surprising that this is the only diecast replica of the 2007-2011 CR-V and that might be the reason worth getting this model.

Specifications:

Engine: 2.4L DOHC I-4 184 hp.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 9.0 sec. est.
Real vehicle price: $23,000 est.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars

Welly 1:43 2013 Mazda CX-5

And as if that’s not enough here’s another SUV that is so popular it has become one of the brand’s best selling model, this time from Mazda and it’s the CX-5 SUV. The CX-5 was introduced in 2013 as the brand’s smallest SUV offering at the time replacing the Ford-collaboration Tribune SUV with a platform shared with the Mazda 3 and better fitting the Mazda design theme seen on all models. This Welly version seems a bit late arriving just as the real-life CX-5 was entering the second-generation model, yet it was the first on the market in 1:43 and 1:64 scale ranges. The front has large headlights that flow into the large black grille with Mazda logo and flanked by side scoops with integrated foglights, while the side profile has an upright SUV profile with smooth lines and multi-spoke wheels. A rare miss for Welly is the execution of the opening front doors where the rugged trim does not patch the plastic lower body cladding and the doors itself seem ill-fitting to the casting. At the rear is horizontal tri-taillight design with rear spoiler and dual exhaust tips, while the base shows mostly the exhaust system as the rest of the drivetrain is covered up. The interior has a clean and simple dashboard layout with sporty 3-spoke steering wheel and dual pod gauges, while the center stack has a simple layout of controls leading to the center console with shifter. The front seats are simple and supportive, while the rear seats get interrupted by the pullback motor. For such a late offering it would’ve been nice to see this casting with great details common from Welly, but ill-fitting doors seem to spoil the fun of this casting.

Specifications:

Engine: 2.0L DOHC I-4 150 hp.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 8.0 sec. est.
Real vehicle price: $25,000 est.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Welly 2012 Toyota Camry

Still, sedans are seen as the heavy hitters despite the insurgence of SUV’s taking over and this Toyota Camry is one of them. Unlike other Camry diecast models over the years this one has more of an East Asian look as this Camry was only sold in Japan, Australia, and a few other select markets even though it shares some similar styling elements with other Camry models worldwide. In Japan the Camry is only sold as a Hybrid model, as seen here, and in black it looks very sleek with a chrome front grille with detailed Toyota badge joining the sharper headlight units, while the lower bumper has a larger grille with integrated foglights. On the sides it is typical Camry with traditional four-door sedan profile and even small multi-spoke wheels on narrow tires, while the rear has taillights that are larger and connect to the chrome trunklid trim and dual exhaust tips. While this may be a hybrid electric model I don’t see any signs of electrical orange wiring on the base where the drivetrain and exhaust system is detailed, so I believe this model has the 3.5L V6 and six-speed automatic transmission. It is a great motor with lots of power, great fuel economy, and excellent durability even if the handling is less exciting. The interior has seating for five with the rear seats interrupted by the pullback motor cover, center console with shifter, 3-spoke steering wheel, and simple control layout that reflects the actual car’s dashboard layout. So, despite the unique look this is the same Camry as seen across the world with a bold look in black that gives the car a slight premium look.

Specifications: