AUTOart vs Almost Real: which 1:18 manufacturer is better?
AUTOart and Almost Real are currently the two most talked-about names in the 1:18 premium segment. Both brands focus on sports cars and hypercars, both work with diecast and both occupy the same price range. Yet there are clear differences that determine which brand suits your collection better.
AUTOart: rich heritage, two quality lines
AUTOart has existed for decades and has built an enormous catalogue. The brand has multiple lines. The Signature Series (white box) is the flagship with the highest level of detail. Older AUTOart models from the 2000s and early 2010s are sought by collectors for their proven quality. The current standard production (non-Signature) is considerably simpler. Anyone buying or selling AUTOart must therefore pay attention to which line is involved: quality and value differ substantially.
Almost Real: consistently high standards
Almost Real is younger but has built a strong reputation in a short time. The brand releases exclusively premium models: there is no cheaper second line. Quality is consistent and comparable to AUTOart Composite. Almost Real produces models of a wide range of cars, including the Pagani Zonda F, the Mercedes S600 W222 and the Land Rover New Defender, releasing them in the exact colours from the official manufacturer palettes.
The key differences
- Catalogue breadth: AUTOart has a much larger historical range; Almost Real focuses on recent models
- Consistency: Almost Real always delivers premium quality; AUTOart varies by line
- Price: comparable (€150 to €300); AUTOart Composite can be higher
- Collection value: AUTOart Signature and older AUTOart have a proven track record for appreciation; Almost Real is promising but younger
- Model selection: AUTOart stronger in classics and Japanese sports cars; Almost Real in British and modern hypercars
Which do you choose?
For classics, Japanese sports cars or a broad Lamborghini and Porsche range, choose AUTOart. For special models such as the Pagani Zonda F, Mercedes S600 or Land Rover New Defender in top quality, Almost Real is the right choice. Both brands complement each other well in a broad collection.