Welcome to the #Power Ratings for the 6th mix of #Car Culture for 2023: HW Off Road. With this segment, we finally see our first, pure off-road mix in Car Culture since Wild Terrain in 2020.

Before we go any further, a big THANK YOU to our sponsor of this segment, 1 Stop Diecast! Make sure you pre-order your Car Culture case via 1StopDiecast.com. Ordering by the case gives you the best shot at getting a chase outside of being camped out at retail with the masses. If you miss out on the chase, you have a set to gift/trade to a friend.

I would like to thank my fellow collectors who participated in helping me rank these as this was another mix that was hard to assess. These #Power Ratings give you a glimpse as to what you can expect the demand to be at retail when these appear and this exercise has definitely proved itself this year. I gave each person a chance to speak to the car they felt the most strongly towards and you’ll see below that the interest in certain models justifies their Power Ratings.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what should be arriving at stores very soon. Again, I solicited help from a few people I follow in the collecting world to help me rank these. Here is a rundown of how we form the ratings…

POWER RATINGS are comprised of an average of 3 scores: Casting Choice, Deco/Livery, and Cool Factor. Below is what is factored into each rating:

• Casting Choice: Rating is based on how well does the casting fit within the series. Is the casting a good choice for today’s Car Culture?
• Deco/Livery: Looks are everything! Rating is based on the color/deco/livery and how appropriate it is for this release.
• Cool Factor: The real X-factor here. Does the car resonate with collectors? Will it be sought after?

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 8

’05 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (chase)

HW OFF ROAD 0/5

Once again, the #Car Culture #Chase is the new model in the series. We’ve heard in previous #Power Ratings — from Hot Wheels Marketing Director, Jimmy Liu — that is something he likes to do. This is the 3rd new model chase for 2023, and 2nd #Toyota to get the all-black, chase treatment. If the chase piece were the Toyota 4Runner or Big-Air Bel-Air here, collectors would be going crazy; instead, some collectors may not hunt this mix as hard knowing they will probably be able to pick one up on the secondary market for less than other Car Culture chases this year.

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 9 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 6

’18 Toyota 4Runner

HW OFF ROAD 2/5

The hype on the Hot Wheels #’18 Toyota 4Runner is pretty high thanks to the seeming scarcity of the previous two released in #Boulevard. That will most likely translate to some collectors grabbing every one of these they can find — especially because this will probably be the only time we see it in this color found only on the 2018 1:1.

From Scott Cleveland, owner of SC Diecast: The Toyota 4runner has been a hot casting lately. This seems to be the car in this set that everyone wants. This set will definitely appeal to truck collectors. Mattel has been outdoing themselves with the new castings and quality.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: We’re on our third colorway for this Mark Jones design, a stunning Cavalry Blue. Sure, it may not have all the off-roading modifications that Prado had, but it can still wrangle with the other models in this set and claw through the terrain like the best of them. I’m sure Jimmy [Liu] would approve.

From Diecast Leno: The fan favorite 4Runner finally makes its way out of Boulevard and into the realm of availability, and in a gorgeous color to boot! This Cavalry Blue paint was exclusive to the 2018 model year, a lovely bit of attention to detail unquestionably adds to this model’s appeal. While it can’t match the realistic proportions of Matchbox’s 5th Gen 4Runner, the care and attention that went into this Hot Wheels version is obvious. From the half-open rear window to the aggressive TRD styling, this model seems made for 4Runner owners. Indeed, it was.

POWER RATING: 6.3

Casting Choice = 5 • Deco/Livery = 9 • Cool Factor = 5

’93 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

HW OFF ROAD 3/5

The Hot Wheels #’93 Mercedes-Benz G-Class probably doesn’t get the love it should. This collaboration with #IWC will probably attract a few more eyes to this casting. The removable top is so cool! Honestly, if this came in an acrylic case in an online drop, it would be a vehicle every collector would be happy to put in their collection. Aside from the awesome livery, naive collectors may create more of an artificial demand for this one, thinking it is the chase piece (since it’s all-black), and that may help to move it quicker.

From Hot Wheels Designer, Manson Cheung, @awildermode on Instagram: My opinion is slightly skewed. I love it for the IWC branding. 🤪 It is a great looking casting. I think Mark Jones designed it. Honestly do not remember if I worked on it. Mercedes and G wagons are usually popular with collectors. The blacked out look, while simple, is always a winner. IWC and Mercedes celebrates 20 years partnership, this livery (black with white graphics) is very typical of their partnership. Whenever at IWC events, we would get shuttled around in Mercedes (usually sprinter vans) but G wagons would always be around.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: When you think of the G-Class, “off-road vehicle” comes to mind, and the G-Class is a pefect choice for this series. Remove the top and you can cruise in the dunes with the wind in your face… and it’ll still look good and fit in with the rest of the cars in this series. As for the livery… a perfect choice tying into IWC’s tie-ins with Mercedes-Benz, and I’m sure Manson [Cheung] would approve.

From Matthew, Matthew on Car & Hot Wheels on YouTube: I like the G Wagon the most out of the 5. The IWC tampos look really good on it and who doesn’t want/like a G wagon.

From Ian Weber, djiweb on YouTube: My favorite [is] the Mercedes-Benz G-class. The fun twist on the G-wagon is the collaboration with IWC. This is Hot Wheels [3rd] Mercedes [casting] collaboration with IWC.

From Walter, The Hot Line of Diecast on YouTube: This is reassurance that you’re not just a driver, but rather a pilot of the Mercedes Benz G-class. Smooth as butter. No wait! Smooth as the Swiss watch movement you receive from IWC’s collection of watches. Everything about this casting is class. Top shelf. 🥂

POWER RATING: 6.3

Casting Choice = 8 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 5

Big-Air Bel-Air

HW OFF ROAD 4/5

Collectors have been requesting the #Big-Air Bel-Air go premium for a number of years now. Normally, that isn’t particularly impressive, but then you have to remember: this is only the 4th year of this casting! The Big-Air Bel-Air already has a following — including yours truly — and the classic Bel Air deco should help it’s cause since it’s the first time we’ve seen this casting in a non-racing livery.

From Hot Wheels Designer (of the Big-Air Bel-Air), Brendon Vetuskey, @tuske427 on Instagram: Not sure what to say really. I’ve seen people ask for this [with a] metal base so I imagine it’ll sell well. The package looks really nice too.

From Fred Blood, owner of 1 Stop Diecast: I like the Big-Air I can just feel the big V8 ripping across Baja heading for La Paz.

From Jeff, @jghopwheels on Instagram: I have to say I’m not a huge fan of the Big-Air Bel-Air. However, I don’t dislike it either. It really depends on the deco, and for this Car Culture release they knocked it out of the park! I can’t think of a Bel Air release from Hot Wheels outside of the 100% line where they did this classic two toned Teal/White look. Interesting that they chose to do it with this casting, but why not? It’s just a classic look for the Bel Air and a no brainer. So the paint scheme and stock deco look alone has me excited to get my hands on it. Now…..can we please get this same look on an RLC Bel Air Gasser?!

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: Let’s be real, stuff like “Land Cruiser”, “Jeep” and “Unimog” probably come to mind when you mention off-road vehicles, not “Chevrolet Bel Air”. But let Brendon [Vetuskey] do his thing and you have a classic American coupe able to take on the dunes like any other SUV, and most importantly, with that aqua and white two-tone paint-scheme, look great while doing it.

From Ian Weber, djiweb on YouTube: Another head turner is the baby blue Bel-Air. This reminds me of the Nash mixed with a little baja action.

POWER RATING: 4.7

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 4 • Cool Factor = 4

’05 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

HW OFF ROAD 1/5

Here we go with more of a niche vehicle. I don’t think the #’05 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will be a popular casting at first. It’s a lesser-known #JDM vehicle that has a great off-road reputation, but I am going to side with most collectors knowing it’s heritage — especially here in the US where this would have been badged as Lexus GX. Still, it’s a great casting with hella-awesome utility gear like a roof rack with lights, brush guard, and seemingly a full-size spare, #Real Riders wheel. We know of at least one other version of this casting will be released soon.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: Another one of Mark Jones’s swansong models executed masterfully. Giving a stock standard Land Cruiser a raised stance, side steps, mud guards, a huge spare tire, an imposing push bar and of course carpet-bombing the entire thing with LED spotlights is exactly what I would have expected the team to do when it came to designing off-road modifications for this thing. As a bonus, the chase actually has different wheels!

POWER RATING: 2.3

Casting Choice = 1 • Deco/Livery = 3 • Cool Factor = 3

Range Rover Classic

HW OFF ROAD 5/5

I hate ending on a low-note, but since we finish at the bottom of these #Power Ratings, we must. The #Range Rover Classic is a mainline casting that probably shouldn’t have went premium. The casting itself is nice, but it feels way too small. Compare it with the original #Range Rover and it is just way too small. The deco is fine — it, and the card art, actually remind me of the first release of the ’83 Chevy Silverado 4×4 (2012 Hot Wheels Racing: Off-Road) — but if there is one release this year you’ll find in abundance at retail on the pegs: this will be it. It currently anchors our entire Power Ratings list for 2023 (found below) — ouch!

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: This unassuming, boxy SUV is known to be a capable desert racer when built properly. Dima [Shakhmatov] and his love of Land Rovers shines through with this, featuring a striking yellow paintjob, raised stance, spotlights and of course, those new beadlock wheels! The yellow makes the car stand out, and I’d like to see more cars done up in this style of yellow paintjob.

From Ian Weber, djiweb on YouTube: The color scheme on the Range Rover defiantly gives me sand dune racing vibes and rounds out my top 3 [of this series].

There you have it! Our sixth #Power Ratings here on OTD for #2023 Hot Wheels #Car Culture. What do you think? Do you agree with these ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re keeping score at home, here is how the OTD Power Ratings presented by 1 Stop Diecast stack up thus far for 2023 Car Culture:

John at the Lamley Group received the physical models from Mattel. Check out his showcase here: