Hot Rod is the simply the best "Deluxe" Hastak has ever released...oh wait, he's listed as Voyager.


Sometimes, the term "mini-MP" gets thrown around but really doesn't mean that. Hot Rod, however, is a legit mini Masterpiece.

He is too small for a Voyager. I think Deluxe Plus would be a better description. His transformation difficulty is high and very much reminiscent of actual MP figures. He is actually more difficult to transform than the simplest MP figures. He even has the twisting arm action from the movie incorporated into the transformation. Hot Rod is ER OP level good...which is scary at the "Deluxe" size.

Posability:
At his scale, his posing is unrivaled by any other "Deluxe" figure. Head is on a ball joint. The shoulders have 3 axes of movement: mushroom and hinge combo plus an additional mushroom peg that's vertically under the main shoulder joint system. The elbows are on a mushroom and hinge combo for 2 axes of movement. Hands are able to rotate at the wrist AND on an additional pinned joint for the hidden features in the forearms (see below). The hands are similar to ER OP's hands: stationary thumb with movable finger block. Waist is full 360 degrees. Hips are also on a mushroom and hinge combo for 2 axes of movement. Hip skirts allow for 90 degrees forward (more limited backwards) and 90 degrees to the sides. Just under the hips joints is a thigh swivel. The knees are double jointed (no mushroom combo here). The ankles allow side to side AND forward to back ankle movements. Yeah, it's insanely good.

Accessories and Extra Features:
Hasbro has added more accessories to help make up for the Voyager price point. Some may still not like this, but I think the accessories add a lot to the figure and playability.


He comes with a redeco of Earthrise Optimus Prime's matrix. He also comes with a new matrix blast effect, which automatically makes it compatible with the other matrix releases.


Matrix comparisons: Each Matrix here is different from each other, so you can't actually confuse them. Upper left is Hot Rod. Upper right is ER OP (less intense clear blue than Hot Rod). Lower left is AU OP (blue painted over smoke). Lower right is Netflix OP (smoke).


The hands are on hinges with the opposite sides hidden inside the forearms. The right hand has a welder at the other end. The left hand has a 5mm peg to attach the saw blade (I call it pizza cutter).


The two blasters are different from each other. The blue blast effects may attach to the forearm exhaust pipes or to the blasters (also shown in 1st pic).


We don't have his Targetmaster, but this is what it would look similar to.


The shades are hidden inside the head. Flip the scalp open and then flip down the shades.


Bot Mode:
Bot mode is sharp. There is very little hollow plastic syndrome here: the only really noticeable areas are on the butt plate and under the feet. He is not littered with blast effects ports either. The available ports in robot mode are on his forearm exhaust pipes, calves, and under the feet (not shown).

Front view:


Back view. The slots under the spoiler are for weapons storage (not shown). Same slots are on the engine for alt mode. Blast effects ports are seen here on the calves. The butt plate oddly enough is the only significant area with hollow plastic syndrome on this figure outside of under the feet.


Size comparisons:
Hot Rod is definitely not Voyager size. As ER and AU OP are labeled as Leader class, the core figures are Voyager sized. Hot Rod is more along the lines of taller Deluxe figures like Ironhide and Hoist.

Bumblebee, Ironhide, Hot Rod, and Alternate Universe Optimus Prime:


Alt mode:
Car mode also looks great. Getting everything tabbed in properly, however, is quite the challenge the 1st time around. The wheels are on split mushroom pegs. I personally don't care about this although some feel quite strongly about it.


Rear view:
The incomplete covering on the back end is the only significant weakness in alt mode. Granted, it's nowhere near as bad as Ironhide or Megatron.


The flame effects may be added on to the exhaust ports.


Weapons storage:
Um, it's at least an option.


Negatives:
Incomplete rear end in alt mode, hollow plastic syndrome on butt plate (nitpick), and not true Voyager size.

Potential paint scuffing: There is a good amount of silver paint on this figure. However, there are multiple contact points with silver paint on it. Over time, these areas will scuff. Contact points include blast effects ports, side tabs of blasters, engine slots, and the shoulder pads.

Center of balance: Get used to tilting his ankles forward to easily counteract tipping over backwards.

Conclusion:


Despite not being true Voyager sized, this is Hastak's best ever release of a "Deluxe" scaled figure. If you are a fan of the character, this figure is a must buy. If you are a fan of good figures in general, this figure is a must buy. We do not have the MP toy for comparison, but others have already stated this figure is better than the MP toy.

ER OP has met his match.

Edit: Fixed some typos and added additional info.

Edit #2: Added additional pictures and info.

The tabs under the spoiler may be difficult to plug in correctly.


An easy way to do this is to first plug in the tabs here. Then the tabs under the spoiler become automatically aligned and easy to plug in.


Bot mode comparison with other Hot Rods:
Legends Targetmaster, SS86, and Cyberverse Deluxe


Car mode comparison with other Hot Rods:
Legends, SS86, and Cyberverse


Targetmaster pics using Legends Firebolt:



Targetmaster pics using Siege "Firebolt": Frankensteined parts from Firedrive, Fracas, and Pinpointer to make a more color accurate Firedrive / Firebolt.

 

Mine just came in about an hour ago. I echo the original post - he's a mini-MP. Perfect scale, perfect likeness. Just a work of art.

 

Excellent review!
Why does April have to be so far away?

 

Good review craving pizza now.

 

great review, he looks fantastic.

Why wait, get him now.  
Transformers Studios Series 6 Inch Action Figure Voyager Class (2021 Wave 1) - Hot Rod #86-04

Mine should arrive next week.

 

Nice review! I haven’t looked forward to a official mainline Transformer like I have for this Hot Rod in a long time. Mine will arrive on Monday.

I don’t think I’ve read or watched a negative review yet when it comes to this.

 

We’ve waited too long for a Hot Rod figure this good. I’ll echo that April seems too far away, I just want my boy now!

 

Is this legit? Cause ill order him asap if it is

 

Legit

 

Yep yep! Peaugh (reviewer and member here) got his there as well. They also had Scourge last I looked.

 

It's the "classics" Hot Rod I've been waiting 15 years for!

 

does he store the Matrix or is it just an accessory?

 

Just an accessory. Untill the rumored Commander Class Rodimus cones in SS86

 

That's the only accessory without an official storage option.

With the blaster attached as storage, you could (very) loosely attach it to the handle.

 

Must have.

 

First off @ziltama we actually DO have his Targetmaster; Firebolt/Firedrive was released in Siege.

Second off, can someone do a side-by-side of him with POTP Rodimus Prime if they have him?

 

I meant that we don't physically own the Firedrive figure.

 

Oh ok, sorry.

 

the fake chest kills it all for me, but i'm also pretty scrutinous so i'm sure i'm in the minority lol