Matchbox 2025 lineup gains Acura Integra Type R, Mitsubishi Pajero, Mazda RX-3, and more

Collectors of Japanese diecast cars will have a lot to look forward to in the Matchbox lineup of 2025. Last weekend Matchbox’s annual convention was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the hosts from Mattel previewed next year’s lineup. There are some excellent casting choices ranging from iconic models to once-ordinary cars that are now cool classics.

In most cases the cars are so new there isn’t a representation of how they’ll look on store shelves yet. The presentation used photos of actual cars as placeholders, though some of the cars did have 3D prototypes shown at the end. Here are the cars in order presented.

First up in the basic line is the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport. It’s a European model with a hybrid drivetrain, sportier suspension tuning, and some cosmetic upgrades. A modern RAV4 isn’t a car we normally drool over, but it’s one of the best selling cars in America and it would be cool for a kid to be able to own a 1:64 version of mom and dad’s car.

The first Japanese classic of the 2025 lineup is the Acura Integra Type R. Unlike the Hot Wheels version, it’s fully stock. Interestingly, it sports the USDM ITR’s quad headlights, which is cool. There aren’t many DC2 Integra models that don’t use the Japan-spec headlights.

It’s a bit surprising that there hasn’t been a Lexus LC500 model yet, as high-end luxury and performance cars are favorite subjects of model car makers. Now we’ll all be able to afford one of the finest luxury grand tourers ever made. The Matchbox version is a convertible to boot.

Matchbox has been making a big push to include electric cars in its lineup. They already have a regular Nissan Ariya, but this is a heavily modified Nissan Ariya Pole-to-Pole, which in 2023 completed an 18,600-mile, 10-month trip from the North Pole to the South Pole. The car was charged via solar and wind-powered generators and modified by Arctic Trucks, the same outfit that modified the Toyota Hiluxes that Top Gear took to the North Pole.

Matchbox has done several Toyota Tacoma models before, so it’s not surprising they’d make the all-new 2024 model. This one was pretty far along in the development stages and the first color has already been revealed to be white. It will look good alongside the 2011 and 2016 Matchbox Tacomas, but what we’d really like to see is a first-gen 1995 XtraCab 4×4.

The legendary 70-series Toyota Land Cruiser is finally immortalized in diecast form with Matchbox’s 2017 J78. It comes in the form of a double-cab pickup complete with snorkel. This should be a really fun one for kids and adults alike. Matchbox already makes an FJ40 as well as the J300 Lexus LX and an FJ Cruiser, but if you want an FJ60 or J80 you’ll have to go with Hot Wheels. We’d love to see Matchbox’s interpretation of either of those, or a J100, J200 or Iron Pig FJ55.

One level up from Matchbox’s basic lineup is the slightly more expensive Moving Parts line. For 2025 the iconic Toyota Century joins the fun, the first time Japan’s most revered luxury car has been made by any American toy company. We would have loved to see a V12 version, but we won’t complain about latest model. We’re just thankful it was the sedan and not the SUV. The trunk will be the opening feature.

More Land Cruiser-adjacent castings arrive in the form of the 2024 Lexus GX. It’s a good way to get the new J250 chassis in the mix without overdoing it on the Land Cruisers (though you can never have too much Land Cruiser in our opinion). This one will have opening doors.

Not to be outdone by the Toyotas, the 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero also joins the lineup. We really hope that it’s the short-wheelbase 2-door version shown in Matchbox’s presentation. It too will have opening doors.

The next step up in terms of price is Matchbox’s premium Collectors Edition. The first Japanese classic among them will be the Mazda RX-3. This model is actually already completed and manufactured, and we will be showing you a closeup of it soon, as it features the JNC inkan and Japanese Nostalgic Car logos on it.

Last but definitely not least was the most shocking surprise of all. Matchbox will be making a 1990 Honda Accord. The once ubiquitous family sedan is also a beloved tuner chassis, and was at one time America’s best-selling car. By all accounts it should have been made as a diecast car long ago, but we don’t recall ever seeing a 1/64-scale version of it, not even from Tomica or other Japanese brand. Of all the cars on this list we’re most excited for this one, simply because it’s long been completely overlooked. We hope it’s the coupe, but we’ll take a sedan or wagon version as well!

That concludes the list of new castings. But as the presentation shows many existing ones will return with new paint schemes. From what we could see, the ND Mazda Miata, Honda N600 Baja, and D21 Nissan Hardbody will all appear again. It’s a fun time to be a collector of diecast cars.