REVIEW: LCD Models Honda NSX (NA1) | 1:18 • DiecastSociety.com

REVIEW: LCD Models Honda NSX (NA1) | 1:18

While model collectors have long hoped that heavyweights like LCD Models or MotorHelix would tackle the iconic Japanese supercar in full die-cast metal, LCD Models has finally delivered. Following the benchmark set by their exceptional Toyota Supra (A80), expectations for the 1:18 Honda NSX were exceptionally high. Having unboxed and closely evaluated the Championship White release, it is safe to say LCD does not disappoint.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how LCD’s die-cast interpretation holds up, including a direct comparison against AUTOart’s composite release.

Out of the box, the exterior finish is striking. LCD captured the subtle nuance of Championship White perfectly—it presents as a warm, cream-tinged white rather than a stark, cold bright white.

The stance and proportioning feel spot-on. The factory wheels are executed in a subdued, non-shiny metallic finish that realistically mimics real alloy rather than cheap silver paint.

The shut-lines on this metal casting are impressively tight—almost too tight in certain areas.  The door gaps are so precise that a standard plastic door-opener tool cannot wedge between the panels. Fortunately, a slight gap along the top edge of the side window glass allows enough clearance to safely hook the tool and swing the doors open.

Panel gaps around the front compartment are minimal, save for the necessary tolerances around the pop-up headlights to allow free movement. Up front, the iconic Honda badge is a crisp, photo-etched 3D element rather than a flat print.

Fitting is extremely flush; opening the trunk lid requires applying gentle upward pressure under the rear wing. At the rear, however, lies a minor quality control issue: the rear Honda emblem is a thin foil transfer that was already beginning to peel at one corner out of the box.

The primary structural flaw of this model resides in the main glass engine hatch. It fails to sit completely flush with the surrounding bodywork, leaving a noticeable gap along the sides and lower edge. While YouTube reviews note similar shut-line variance on AUTOart’s composite NSX, it remains the main visual imperfection on LCD’s metal body.

Directly beneath the outer glass hatch lies the secondary inner engine cover—a fully hinged, correctly textured unit that lifts to reveal the transverse V6 beneath.

LCD executed magnificent surface textures on the seats, dash, and door cards, giving the plastics a convincing leather look. Colour accents, gauge cluster clarity, and interior flocking sit directly on par with AUTOart’s standard.

The chassis detail is impressive. You can trace the entire routing of the cooling system, observing the three silver lines from the front radiator as they transition into black piping toward the rear engine bay. Exhaust routing, suspension arms, and heat shielding are all fully moulded, though additional colour separation on individual underbody fasteners and brackets would have elevated it even further.

Where AUTOart holds a clear advantage is in its execution of perforated metal grilles. LCD relied largely on solid plastic mesh imitations across the front bumper intake and side air scoops. The only piece resembling a true mesh is the narrow vent between the rear glass hatch and the trunk, though its gauge is somewhat coarse.

LCD Models has produced a heavy, authentic die-cast NSX that captures the spirit and intricate mechanics of the original Japanese supercar. Unless photo-etched metal intake grilles and microscopic hatch alignment are non-negotiables for your display shelf, there is little reason to pay the massive price premium for AUTOart’s composite alternative. LCD’s NSX stands as a triumphant follow-up to their Supra A80 and a must-have for 1:18 Japanese sports car enthusiasts.

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15 Responses to "REVIEW: LCD Models Honda NSX (NA1) | 1:18"

  1. DS Team says:

    Thank you for the review, sir! The LCD is a viable option IF they can deliver and minimize QC challenges.

    Having had the complete AUTOart assortment of the NSX offering over the years, I can confirm it’s a tough model to beat, in standard or variant formats.

  2. Eric says:

    I’m sure it’s a beautiful model but again, manufacturers making models that’s have already been done numerous times!!! There are plenty of enthusiast cars that’s have NEVER been done in scale!

    • Aaron says:

      My thoughts exactly!

    • Steven Weiner says:

      I completely agree!

    • DS Team says:

      Yes, we’ve been advocating for this for years. It seems the safe bet in this hobby is always near the top. Taking risks may come with rewards, but it’s extremely challenging in this hobby to apply. That’s where the likes of brands such as OttOmobile and DNA Collectibles are appreciated. And most know, DNA did not last for long…

    • Peter says:

      All true, but this argument irks me so much. The Aa NA1 was released in 2012. Many people in the hobby today missed it, some weren’t even born yet. I was a broke student in 2012, livinf off my parents’ money. Asking them for money for a high end model back then would be plain bizarre.

      Autoarts are really expensive now and hard to come by. The interest in the car on the other hand is higher than ever and rides the wave of the current appreciation of Japanese golden era of performance cars underpinned by the fact that people who care about them are in their prime purchasing power life stage. So there are no more ‘already made’ models and many people who have them are not selling while the demand is higher than ever.

      Yet there’s always some old fart lucky enough to have means to splurge on trinkets back when stellar models could be had for pennies on the dollar compared to the present day, ready to point out These Have Already Been Made (because he either doesn’t care about them or already has one) while ‘we’re still waiting on XYZ’.

      Oh COME ON, the choice has never been better, you have a gazillion model makers now with new ones popping up every couple months, resin brands specializing in all kinds of oddball cars and a trillion 1/64 brands making anything and everything imaginable. It ain’t a G-wagon, there was literally ONE opening NSX worthy of a mention before this one and I’m glad LCD decided to make it because it means I’ll finally be able to buy it without having to part with my kidney.

      I hope this closes the case once and for all.

  3. Alex says:

    The question now becomes – is it better than AA? Not really – from what I’m seeing on these pictures. Its more affordable – sure, but for those who have AA version already – this is “yet another NSX”.

  4. Rui says:

    I have the red AutoArt NSX and it diecast not composite. The NSX-R (NA2) is composite not the NSX (NA1). Waiting for the Honda NSX LCD in yellow. Looks great and nice review !

  5. Davy says:

    What are your thoughts on the positioning of the rear wheels? There are some voices saying that they aren’t positioned well and should have been more tucked in the wheel arch, too.

    • Vitaliy D says:

      Yes, I agree with that. The rear wheels seems to be positioned closer to the rear side of the car rather than in the horizontal middle of the wheel’s arch. In other words, the rear wheels should be shifted to the front just a little, by 1-2 mm I believe.
      The front wheels seems to be OK – they seem to be positioned in the horizontal middle of the wheel’s arch.

  6. CBL says:

    I Like Your Review. Everything Is Spot On. I Have The Yellow Version And My Model Has The Exact Same Issue With The glass hatch. I Have To Take A Closer Look At The Rear Wheels Next Time Though.

    • Vitaliy D says:

      Kudos to DiecasSociety team because my original text was not that refined!
      I inspected photos of the model in other colors with regard to the glass hatch, and it’s hard to say whether its position is better than on the white one (on the photo it seems to be OK at the first glance, but once the photo is enlarged, there is a suspicion that there are the same gaps between the hatch and the body). Since you mentioned the yellow one has the same issue, it seems to be a common problem, unfortunately.

  7. Eltjo says:

    I bought one (after recently also buying the LCD McLaren Senna GTR) and they’re great. I’m wondering though, I want to also do a Japanese Art Car version of the NSX (LCD18022WH) , which would include replacing the original wheels while preserving the suspension, steering and brake assemblies.
    Does anybody know how the wheels are attached to the hubs? Are they press-fitted, screwed into place, or secured by another mechanism?
    If possible, I would greatly appreciate a photograph or simple assembly diagram showing how the wheels can be safely removed without damaging the suspension or brake components.
    Thank you very much for your help.

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