Why is Hilux not allowed in the US?
The Toyota Hilux, a popular and rugged pickup truck, is not officially sold in the United States. This is due to a combination of regulatory hurdles and safety concerns that have prevented the Hilux from being imported and sold in the American market.
Regulatory Barriers
The primary reason the Hilux is not available in the US is that it does not meet certain federal safety and emissions regulations required for vehicles sold in the country. The Hilux is designed and manufactured to meet standards in other global markets, but its specifications do not align with the stricter requirements enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US. Bringing the Hilux up to US standards would require significant and costly modifications that Toyota has not been willing to undertake.
Safety Concerns
Another factor contributing to the Hilux's exclusion from the US market is the perception of its safety features compared to American-made pickup trucks. The Hilux, while renowned for its off-road capabilities and durability, has historically lagged behind in terms of advanced safety technologies, such as airbags, crumple zones, and electronic stability control. This has raised concerns about the Hilux's ability to protect occupants in the event of a collision, especially when compared to the safety features found in domestic pickup trucks.
Potential Future Availability
Despite the current barriers, there have been occasional rumors and speculation about the possibility of the Hilux being introduced in the US market in the future. However, Toyota has not made any official announcements or concrete plans to bring the Hilux to the United States. The company's focus in the American pickup truck segment has been on the Tacoma and Tundra models, which are designed and engineered specifically for the US market.
In conclusion, the Toyota Hilux's absence from the US market is primarily due to regulatory hurdles and safety concerns that have prevented its importation and sale in the country. While the Hilux is a highly capable and popular pickup truck in other parts of the world, its specifications do not currently align with the strict requirements set by American authorities, making it ineligible for sale in the United States.
Does the US military use Toyota HiLux?
Private military contractors also use technicals and the United States military used modified Toyota Hiluxes, Land Cruisers, and other trucks as well.
Are Hilux and Tacoma the same?
Tacoma more lifestyle focused, Hilux largely commercial
Up until 1995, the then fifth-generation Hilux was imported into the US, branded as the Pickup model line. During that year, the Pickup was replaced by a different, American designed and built midsize pickup named the Tacoma.
Why is Toyota Hilux banned in US Reddit?
Short answer - tariffs make it expensive to bring over any light truck that isn't also domestically produced in North America. The Fortuner, while a SUV (and primarily designed to carry passengers), is on the Hilux platform.
Why is Hilux banned in America?
Why Is the Toyota Hilux Banned in the US? The US government's Chicken Tax policy has caused a 25 percent tariff to be added to the cost of light trucks imported from abroad. This makes the Hilux unaffordable to compete with other compact pickup trucks in the US since it is subject to an extra 25 percent fee.
How much does a Toyota HiLux cost in the US?
The Toyota HiLux is available from $26,475 to $75,310 for the 2025 range of models in Extra Cab, Dual Cab and Single Cab body types.
Can I bring a Toyota Hilux to USA?
Yes, you can legally own a Toyota Hilux in the USA, but there are specific conditions and regulations you must follow, especially regarding the importation of vehicles that are not originally manufactured for the U.S. market.
Can I import Hilux to USA?
Importing a Toyota Hilux into the USA involves complying with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Vehicles over 25 years old are generally easier to import due to the exemption from certain federal safety and emission standards.
Why is the Toyota Hilux so cheap?
One reason the Hilux Champ doesn't cost much is the utter bare-bones nature of the truck. This is first and foremost a commercial vehicle, closer to the chassis cab Ford F-350 box truck you rent at U-Haul in terms of features and amenities than anything Toyota sells to the U.S. consumer.
Why isn't the Toyota Hilux available in North America?
Aligning with Standards in North America
The Toyota Hilux was not designed to meet these standards, and adapting it would be very costly for the manufacturer. Therefore, the import cost would be much higher, resulting in a selling price significantly above the average for a similar type of vehicle.
Are Hilux available in the USA?
Why is the Hilux pickup not offered in the USA? -Because it's not the right truck for the North American market, in Toyotas' opinion. The Tacoma is wildly successful in the small truck space. And they have the Tundra in the full size truck space.
