The 25 Most Awesome Hot Wheels Toyotas

After looking at the 25 Coolest Hot Wheels Porsche and then Lamborghini cars, I decided to look into a more down-to-earth brand for most people. Sure, Toyota has several models that have become prohibitively expensive in recent years, but getting one of the more common models isn't an impossible dream. As I began my deep dive into Hot Wheels Toyotas, I was surprised that Mattel had only created 34 castings since 1982. I had to eliminate nine castings because this is a list of the 25 Coolest Hot HW Toyotas.

The ones that drew the short straw are the '82 Supra Celica, the RSC, the HKS Altezza ('Tooned), the MR2 ('Tooned), the Celica (Hardnoze), the Supra (Fatbax), and the '98 Altezza (which we recently talked about with the Modern Classics release). None of these castings is still in use today. And if you'd like to add these to your Toyota collection, you're looking at 56 variations. If you read until the end of this story, I'll let you know how many items a complete Hot Wheels Toyota collection requires. I've arranged the following castings chronologically so you can understand which ones came first.

1. Toyota MR2

Larry Wood designed the Toyota MR2 casting, which debuted in 1991. That's two years after the Japanese manufacturer introduced the actual car, but it was around the same time it arrived in North America. The First Edition had a white paint job with a Toyota-themed livery and Ultrahot wheels. This was the go-to wheel design until 1995, when Mattel introduced 3-spoke and 5-spoke models. In 1999, the MR2 appeared in the Long Haulers series, a sort of primitive "Team Transport" as we all know it today.

By the time the diecast manufacturer decided to pull the plug on this casting, 31 variations were already in use. The last model was also the closest to today's color, graphics, and wheel standards. Despite no TH or STH appearance, some MR2s can still sell for $30 to $50 a pop. As always, buying in bulk is your best chance at being more efficient, so keep an eye out for any offers of that nature. One can only hope that Mattel will create a new MR2 casting- any of the three generations would be fine! I'm betting we'll see a move like this within the next two or three years from now.

2. Pikes Peak Celica

The second Toyota casting on this list is one of the most iconic race cars ever. Mark Jones designed this machine for its 1998 debut with a Pennzoil livery that paid tribute to the actual vehicle. Rod Millen had won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on three occasions in this car (1994, 1996 and 1997). And he didn't stop there, but we'll get to that in a minute. Weighing in at around 1,951 lbs (885 kg), this Pikes Peak Celica used a turbocharged, 2.1-liter, 4-cylinder engine with an output of about 850 hp. Thanks to Rod's driving and AWD, it set a record of 10:04.060 in 1994, when there was no asphalt on the layout.

It took Nobujiro Tajima over a decade and a partially paved layout to beat that record! But let's return to the Hot Wheels version, which saw 21 variations by 2012. In 2000, the Pikes Peak Celica graduated to Treasure Hunt level, featuring a Metalflake Blue finish and a set of Deep Dish Real Riders wheels. You'll see listings between $12 to $150 for this collectible, so it's up to you how much you want to spend on one. The final iteration is probably the coolest-looking, as it's the only Premium model in the collection. Part of the HW Racing: Off-Road series, it had the same Pennzoil livery, a metal base, and Real Riders Exotic wheels. Paying $20 to $30 for this last iteration sounds like a bargain.

3. Pikes Peak Tacoma

It only makes sense that Mattel followed up on the Pikes Peak Celica with the Tacoma hill climb monster. For 1998 and 1999, this was Rod Millen's weapon for the event in Colorado. And everyone was happy to see him back at it in 2022. I feel this casting is even better than the Celica, and I've considered adding one to my collection for months. Most of the 16 variations are spectacular, but the first and last ones are in a league of their own. Of course, you'd want a replica of the Pennzoil Tacoma in your collection, but the 2012 iteration in Matte Black is almost as good.

This featured a set of white High-Speed wheels with a somewhat threatening aura. A complete collection of these Tacomas isn't going to run you into the ground. Someone is selling one of these with Rod Millen's autograph for $40. Other than that, they're all decently priced, given their background. Now imagine a Hot Wheels Car Culture: Pikes Peak Monster set of five cars with new castings for the Tacoma, Celica, Quattro S1 E2, and Escudo, and I'll let you imagine a fifth vehicle for the task.

4. Toyota Baja Truck

Toyota has created a lot of impressive cars during its history. Sports car enthusiasts will surely think of the Supra, Celica, MR2, and Corolla. But some people would rather drive more oversized vehicles like the Hilux, Land Cruiser, or the RAV4. So, it's no wonder Hot Wheels also wanted to cater to that audience. As a result, the HW Toyota Baja Truck made its debut over 20 years ago. Phil Riehlman designed this one, and it first appeared in the Xtreme Trucks 2-Car Set alongside a Hummer H1. It looked great with a metal base and a racing livery, and one was the first of many successful variations to come.

The Toyota Baja Truck is among the few castings (I promise I will do a story on this topic soon) to have reached Super Treasure Hunt status twice during its career. The Spectraflame Red model dropped in 2015, while the Falken-themed one showed up in 2017. Both featured Off-Road Deep-Dish Real Riders wheels, just the kind of design you'd expect from such a machine. Getting the two will cost between $90 to $150. I've seen some early variations of this casting sell for about $175 a shot. There are 27 iterations of the Baja Truck to look for if you want the complete collection. And it's not going to come cheap.

5. Toyota AE-86 Corolla

None of the following seven Toyota castings Mattel released after the Baja Truck up until 2004 made it to this list, and I mentioned what they were earlier. It took almost six years of, let's call them, less than inspired designs for a new, exciting Toyota to emerge from El Segundo. I will point out that this is not the diecast manufacturer's best AE-86 Corolla, but it's a Hachiroku nonetheless. If you look at it long enough, the proportions are slightly odd, but given its iconic status, let's pretend it's all good. Jun Imai designed this for its 2006 debut; most variations up to 2015 could have been better.

But then it got into the big leagues, reaching Super Treasure Hunt status. Suddenly, the Japanese legend had a Spectraflame Red paint job and 5-Spoke Mag-Style Real Riders wheels. After about a six-year-long hiatus, Mattel revived the design, and we've seen three iterations since that time, taking the total number up to 17. The STH is the most expensive, with asking prices between $70 and $370. Some lesser items can still command a market value of $20 to $30 a piece, so you should check out the other Hachiroku alternative a few lines below.

6. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 only lasted in Mattel's portfolio for a short while, between 2010 and 2012. Jun Imai designed this casting, and there are only seven variations to look for the complete line-up. For most of its career, this vehicle rolled around on Off-Road 5-spoke wheels while going through various liveries. It used a 6-Spoke design just once, in 2011. But the best iteration of this casting was also its final one.

In 2012, it was part of the Hot Wheels Racing: Offroad Series, alongside a Custom Ford Bronco, a Volkswagen Baja Beetle, the Pikes Peak Celica we mentioned earlier, and an '83 Silverado. As expected, this Premium Land Cruiser FJ40 featured a metal base and Real Riders Turbine Wheels with Off-Road tires. As for the livery, it wasn't inspiring, but there are worse ones out there. After all these years, $20 will do the trick if you want one, while the lesser versions are even cheaper than that.

7. '87 Toyota Truck

Manson Cheung designed the '87 Toyota Truck for its 2012 debut in The Hot Ones series. It featured a simple red and white color scheme and a set of now classic Construction Tires. One exciting variation showed in 2014; it had a Spectrafrost Orange finish, a metal base, and the same kind of off-road tires you'd see on various other Matchbox vehicles. After all, Mattel owns both the latter and Hot Wheels. But something even better than that happened that same year. The casting joined the Hot Wheels Entertainment series, paying tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies: Back to the Future. Oh, how Marty longed to drive this car up to the lake with Jennifer in the passenger seat.

Mattel installed a set of black Preferred Series Off-Road Real Riders wheels; what else could you ask for? A Collector Edition was the next big thing for this casting, and it came along in 2017. In 2021, we saw the truck in the Car Culture: Toyota mix. And another Back to the Future replica came out earlier this year. The First Edition of this Toyota is one of the more expensive ones on the market; some are listed for as much as $280. The Replica Entertainment model will cost between $120 and $270, while the Spectrafrost Orange one is in the $90 to $160 range. With 11 variations to keep an eye out for, this will be a rather expensive collection.

8. '10 Toyota Tundra

I have never been a massive fan of trucks, but I've started to feel differently about them in recent years. As I am considering relocating to the peaceful countryside, I can see how a Tundra could improve my life, especially if I'm to start hauling in parts for my RX-7 and SV650-S. Even at a 1/64th scale, the Hot Wheels '10 Toyota Tundra is quite big. And you'll notice that once you put it next to a sports car.

Most Tundra variations used Off-Road 6-spoke wheels, while the latest two models switched to a Beadlock Off-Road design. Mattel even used the '10 Tundra for the Super Treasure Hunt series in 2013, two years before the Baja Truck reached the same level. Judging by the $45 to $55 price range today, it likely didn't have as much success as the latter model. With 11 variations to collect for the full line-up, Mattel might have abandoned this casting. Three years might not be long in its books, so that it might return after all.

9. '70 Toyota Celica

The first-generation Toyota Celica made its debut at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. Jun Imai designed its Hot Wheels counterpart more than 40 years later for the HW City: Street Power series. The First Edition was on point with a Metaflake Dark Green finish and Manson Cheung 5-Spoke wheels. Only ten variations of this casting have ever been made, with no premium iteration to look for yet.

I enjoy the 2022 Multipack Exclusive model in red, as it's rolling on Deep Dish 8-spoke rims. It's not a Real Riders design, but it's different from all the other Celica currently in the Hot Wheels line-up. If you're aware of the Neon Speeders series, which has been bombarding the market throughout the past few months, learn that the '70 Toyota Celica will be part of it next year, too. Yay.

10. Toyota Supra

This is the moment most of you might have been waiting for. It's almost strange that it took Mattel so many years before releasing a tiny replica of the notorious Toyota Supra. Remarkable fact about this casting: Paul DeLorean designed this one while he was still working for Hot Wheels. And yes, his uncle is the founder of the DeLorean company. And what better way can you think of for debuting a casting such as this one other than making it a replica of the hero car from The Fast and the Furious? A secondary representation of the exact vehicle appeared that same year, using different wheels, vastly improving the Supra's overall look.

After two Falken-themed variations, we saw Brian's car again and another Fast & Furious design: the gold car from the franchise's second installment. Collectors of all ages were hooked, and by the time Mattel came out with a Super Treasure Hunt version, everyone was eager to buy more Supras. The diecast manufacturer promoted the casting to its Premium line of products and launched a red Supra in the Boulevard series in 2019. The fifth iteration of Brian Earl Spilner's car was also the first Premium one and one of the most sought-after Hot Wheels collectibles. We have seen four more adult-oriented variations since, including the latest controversial design that has the same livery as the Skyline GT-R.

I've already read that the 25th Supra variation is coming in 2024, but let's look at the market first. Strangely enough, the MK4 Supra isn't the most expensive anymore, but we'll get to that in a minute. It's almost sure that you'll have to pay over $100 for the STH model. The 2020 Fast & Furious appearance was part of a Collector Set, including Jesse's Jetta and Dom's Charger. That's an extra $100 right there. I've seen people selling Mainline Supra for the price of Premium castings, so there's a lot of hype surrounding this casting.

11. Toyota 2000 GT

MK4 Supras may be getting out of hand these days. But this car is still nowhere as expensive as the Toyota 2000 GT. And it makes perfect sense: less than 400 units of the latter ever left the factory in Shizuoka. Prices range between $500K to $2.5 million for this iconic Toyota, so having a tiny replica as a backup option is excellent if you can't afford that much. Jun Imai once again reported for duty in creating this casting, and we first saw it in the HW Showroom: HW All Stars series, featuring a simple red finish and MC5 wheels. In only a few months, it climbed up to Super Treasure Hunt status: Spectraflame Red, Real Riders 10-spoke wheels; it was sublime!

$50 to $130 will get you one of these, but wait, there's more! In 2015, the Red Line Club welcomed this casting, with 3,000 units ready to be shipped out to collectors worldwide. A mint, low-number model can cost as much as $700, which is insane. But a budget of around $150 should still get you one of these cars if you don't care about those numbers. And then there's the Car Culture: Japan Historics model. The two/tone Yellow and Green paint job is memorable in conjunction with the chrome and gold Real Riders 8-spoke wheels. This variation will generally cost between $40 and $50, but other more expensive options exist. Keep in mind that a complete collection requires a total of 12 of these cars!

12. Toyota 2000GT Roadster

Mark Jones is responsible for creating the Toyota 2000GT Roadster casting, which appeared two years after the coupe version. It's a Premium-exclusive design, only available twice since its release. But you might need help finding any differences between the two of them. Both are replicas of the car in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice," featuring the same white finish and Real Riders Wire Spoke wheels. Granted, Mattel used different packaging styles for the two models, but is that a good enough reason to have you buying both iterations? The good part is that even if you decide on this path, you'll only spend $30 or less.

13. Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno

At last, this is the best AE86 casting in the Hot Wheels line-up. It's a more advanced version of the machine I showed you earlier in this story, and I have a few variations of this one on display myself. Almost five years had gone by since Mattel released the Toyota 2000GT Roadster, and that had some people worried about licensing issues. But there was no reason for concern, as Mark Jones was ready to deliver a sweet design in the form of the AE86 Sprinter Trueno. This casting debuted in Boulevard with a simple white finish but impressive Mini Classic 4-Spoke Real Riders wheels. Three Falken-themed, Mainline variations later, the Hachiroku appeared in Car Culture: Slide Street with a more colorful design.

The older casting had tried to mimic the look of Takumi Fujiwara's AE86 before, but Initial D fans weren't delighted. So when the 2021 variation dropped, everyone was ecstatic about it. Some people are trying to sell these for over $600 on eBay; imagine that! Two more basic items followed suit, and then Mattel surprised everyone again with an Itasha design on the Mountain Drifters AE86. And I'm lucky enough to have found the Advan Racing Hachiroku from Boulevard while I was on vacation in Greece. If you stay away from Takumi's tiny AE86, buying the remaining nine variations will be affordable, and a total budget of about $200 should do the trick.

14. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60

You're looking at the second of four Land Cruiser models to wear the Hot Wheels badge. Mark Jones designed this one, which has only been around briefly and only in the Premium series. It first appeared in the Car Culture: Toyota mix, sporting a tan paint job with woodgrain trim and Off-Road Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag wheels, which may remind you of Volk's TE37s. There was no new release for 2022, and the casting returned with the Fast & Furious in 2023. It kept the same paint job but without any additional colors this time. And Mattel ditched the 6-Spoke wheels in favor of a set of Real Riders 8-Dot ones. Given that there isn't that much hype surrounding these two variations, you can expect regular Premium prices, at least for now.

15. '18 Toyota 4Runner

You'll notice how Mattel started accelerating its Toyota diecast development program in 2020. Collectors were eagerly waiting for these, and the diecast manufacturer delivered. Between 2020 and now, we've seen 13 brand new Toyota's in the Hot Wheels line-up. And there's a good chance even more are coming soon. But there's also a downside to this. Given the short period, some of these cars won't have too many variations to collect.

Let's take the '18 Toyota 4Runner, for instance. This Mark Jones-designed casting debuted in Boulevard in 2021. It's a Premium-exclusive model, with only three iterations in three years. All of them have used the exact TE37 replica, just like the First Edition of the Land Cruiser FJ60. It's worth pointing out that the latest two variations are identical, sporting a Midnight Black Pearl finish. But rest assured, a new Voodoo Blue model is approaching.

16. '81 Toyota Starlet KP61

The '81 Toyota Starlet KP61 is among my Top 5 favorite Toyota castings ever. I have seen many of these cars driving down the road in Greece, and several pro drifters are using them for competition. But I think I've become even more interested in these by meeting Stephen "Stiggy" Evans from the United Kingdom. He has been drifting these cars for years, and it has always been impressive to see how well they stand up against more powerful machines.

As we've seen with several other Toyota castings, Mark Jones also designed this one. For its Car Culture: Toyota debut, it featured a simple Red paint job and Mini Classic 4-Spoke Real Riders wheels. Mattel increased the drift vibes with the second release, which had Work Wheels decals over the Metalflake Purple finish. I would say that it's only a matter of time before we see a Mainline debut of this casting, which will make it even more accessible to HW enthusiasts worldwide.

17. '20 Toyota GR Supra

Ryu Asada designed the '20 Toyota GR Supra for its 2021 HW Speed Graphics debut. Mattel opted for the Pandem V1 body kit to make this car pop and did an excellent job convincing more people to buy it. Despite being a new casting, there are already eight variations to collect, two of which are Premiums. Except for the 2023 Multipack Exclusive iterations, all other Mainline cars have used 10-spoke wheels.

The 2021 Car Culture: Slide Street GR Supra featured an Absolut Zero White paint job with Greddy, Toyota, and Pandem decals. The Real Riders 5-Spoke Modern wheels are an excellent choice for this car, and I'm glad that Mattel opted for a white-on-white finish. The 2022 Boulevard variation is a replica of an extraordinary machine that the Japanese manufacturer built: one that could drift by itself. Does that sound exciting or annoying to you?

18. '21 Toyota GR Supra

Mattel introduced a standard GR Supra in its Hot Wheels line-up in 2021. It debuted as part of the Fast & Furious: Fast Superstars mix, featuring a Matte Orange finish and Real Riders 10-Spoke Modern wheels. So far, the same design has had two more appearances, so let's focus on something different. The '21 Toyota GR Supra appeared in the Team Transport series, packaged alongside the Aero Lift Hauler. It was the fourth TT mix of the year and included two other race cars: the Volkswagen ID R and the Corvette C8.R. I understand that some people might not appreciate the lines of the Pandem GR Supra, but having these two next to each other will make the standard car look boring.

19. Toyota Land Cruiser 

Ryu Asada collaborated with Manson Cheung on designing this casting, which first appeared in the 2021 HW Hot Trucks series. The first three variations featured Beadlock Off-Road wheels, which seems fitting for a workhorse like this. The 2022 Mud Runners edition had splashes of mud across the body and brown wheels to give it a more authentic look. You don't have to drag your Hot Wheels through dirt to achieve that result. But I admit it would be a lot more fun that way. Earlier this year, we saw this casting's highlight as it graduated to Treasure Hunt status. It featured an Ivory finish and BAJA5 wheels, and it's easily one of the Top 5 TH collectibles for this season.

20. Toyota Land Cruiser 80

Dmitriy Shakhmatov designed the fourth and latest Toyota Land Cruiser casting for Hot Wheels. It debuted 2021 with the HW Hot Trucks series, then moved on to Mud Studs in 2022. Collectors should look for the Kroger Exclusive variation in Metallic Red, which might be rarer than other models. While the first three variations used the BAJA5 wheels, the 2023 iteration switched to an Off-Road 6-spoke design for diversity. So far, I'd say the First Edition of this casting is still the best, but I'm not exactly a Land Cruiser enthusiast.

21. '95 Toyota Celica GT-Four

One of the first sporty Toyota I saw going down a public road was the '95 Toyota Celica GT-Four. So, I was a Celica guy before even seeing the MK IV Supra in action. This is probably why this casting is on my Top 5 Toyota list. Mattel went for a Super Bright Yellow on the First Edition model, which debuted in Car Culture: Mountain Drifters in 2022. There were no obnoxious graphics to ruin the lines of this '90s legend, and the chrome Real Riders 5-Spoke Modern wheels did a great job at completing the look. Mattel opted for a change of color and wheels with the 2022 Japanese Tuner Collector Set, but I'm not as big a fan of the Super Red and Gold wheels combo. Even so, picking up these two cars is a no-brainer for any Toyota enthusiast, especially given the high level of detail on the collectible.

22. 1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100

I've heard mixed opinions on the Hot Wheels Elite 64 1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100. I'm sure most drift enthusiasts loved this casting, and I'm part of that group. Hardcore collectors argued that it's too expensive for what it offers and that it could be a better design. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It may not feature an opening hood or doors, but Mattel used four separate axles to replicate the negative camber you usually see on these drift machines. The JZX100 is a VIP Drift car, and it's always spectacular to see and hear it going sideways. Prices for this item vary between $40 and $200 on eBay, but I suggest you be patient and find one for $30. While in a rough spot, someone will sell one for that amount or even cheaper, so don't throw your money away for no good reason.

23. 1986 Toyota Van

I can't explain why I was so excited when Mattel announced the debut of the 1986 Toyota Van. Sure, sports cars are fantastic, but having some diversity in your collection is always nice. Sonny Fisher designed this casting, first appearing in the 2022 HW J-Imports series. It had that '80s feel, with a Metalflake Dark Red body on top of a Metalflake Gray base and AeroDisc wheels. I remember seeing people buying these in bulk and then bragging about it online. The second variation was just as exciting in Silver and Black, but I'm not as big of a fan of the newer models. If you want the whole collection, there are five vans to look for, and it won't be expensive.

24. '82 Toyota Supra (2023)

Collectors went bonkers upon seeing the new '82 Toyota Supra. Most non-car enthusiasts won't even care about a car this old, but Hot Wheels customers have a different opinion. Lindsey Lee designed this casting, which was off to a strong start earlier this year. It was Case J's designated Super Treasure Hunt item, featuring a Spectraflame Red paint job and Real Riders 10-Spoke wheels.

I've seen some crazy eBay listings for this STH, with some people asking as much as $385 for one. As I always say, keep digging, and you'll find several offers for less than $80! As if this wasn't expensive enough, we saw a Malaysia Convention model earlier this year. Mattel made 500 units of this '82 Supra, and someone sold theirs for about $530 right after the event. Can you imagine how much this will be worth in 10 years?

25. '94 Toyota Supra (Tooned)

This is it: the latest Hot Wheels Toyota casting. We hoped for something else, but it was somewhat expected. Mattel has tried 'Tooned designs before, but those didn't work out. This time, the diecast manufacturer has had a different approach to the concept. While the old 'Tooned cars were somewhat grotesque, the new ones are pretty cute. I bought Dom's Charger when it came out, and I couldn't resist getting Brian's Supra, too. We have Fraser Campbell to thank for this design, and I'm sure the trend will continue with other iconic cars.

I've already seen people using the 'Tooned Porsche 911 as a keychain, so this time, the 'Tooned series might be heading somewhere. Before I go, I promised to tell you how many different Toyota variations Mattel has ever made. A complete Hot Wheels Toyota collection will require about 296 items, some of which can be expensive, as you noticed. I estimate we'll see at least another ten more variations and several new castings in the next 12 months. So, I'll keep you updated as they come.