Hello, this is Baek Mun-jo.
It's been a long time since my last diecast review post.
As I started driving real cars, I thought I wouldn’t touch diecasts anymore, but it seems like diecasts are an inseparable part of my life.
I’ve grown my blog thanks to diecasts, and I even run a Facebook group dedicated to them, haha.
Even now, whenever I feel bored or see a model I want, I naturally end up buying it.
Anyway, the model I will review this time is the 1/18 scale CM diecast of the Hyundai Santa Fe DM dealer version.
When it was first released, it came in two versions: the regular version and the dealer version.
The Santa Fe DM is a popular model, and I thought it was worth buying, but I lost track of the regular version, and the dealer version’s price was over $170 USD, so I decided against purchasing it.
A few years later, I ended up buying this well-maintained used model!
By the way, the ride height is quite amusing, haha.
Due to the Santa Fe’s design, the black lower garnish makes the vehicle appear taller, but honestly, the ride height is astonishingly high, almost like an off-road vehicle.
I considered adjusting the springs beforehand, but since this is a review, I decided to keep it as stock as possible.
The proportions are good, and the chrome detailing looks realistic, paying attention to even the smallest details.
By the way, do you see the pearl finish on the paint? I wonder how others feel about it, but personally, I think it’s a bit excessive. I believe this aspect detracts from its realism.
The calipers are not in their original state; they have been painted.
The 18-inch wheels are well represented.
This diecast also features the shock absorber function, commonly found in many 1/18 scale models.
I personally like the rear design of the Santa Fe DM.
Upon its release, it featured a very futuristic design that set it apart from the previous models without feeling unnatural.
Thanks to this design, many people have grown fond of the Santa Fe from this era, haha.
Typically, diecasts with a panoramic sunroof allow for sliding open, but this model uses magnets to open and close the clear parts.
Honestly, I think it would have been more natural if they had used a sliding mechanism, and I’m not sure why they chose this method.
I’m just using it to peek inside the cabin.
I think they did a good job representing the interior.They painted all the silver parts properly, and although the plastic material feels detached from the real car, considering it’s a diecast, it’s not a significant drawback.
As expected from CM diecasts, it includes folding functions for the second and third-row seats.
Personally, I’m not a fan due to the finishing and gaps in the parts.
Also, this model feels surprisingly heavy.
Since it’s a scaled-down SUV, the large body contributes to the weight, but the lower chassis is made of metal.
When I flipped the vehicle over, I noticed they paid attention to details like the exhaust and spare tire.
Of course, the excellent proportions and clean detailing also play a significant role in this familiarity..^^;
- August 10, 2019, By Baek Mun-jo