TRUCKS

Is it Illegal to Own a Toyota Hilux in America?

Although you’re probably familiar with the Tacoma, there’s another Toyota minivan that the rest of the world is getting. The Hilux has been around in one form or another since 1968, although the name was retired in the US back in 1976. As a midsize truck, it’s known for its rugged build quality. But is it legal to drive one in the United States?

Can you get a Toyota Hilux in the US?

Believe it or not, it is possible to legally obtain and drive a Toyota Hilux in the United States. There are two ways this could happen. If you are a fan of vintage trucks, you can try looking them up when Toyota sold them here. Although that is easier said than done. Trucks like this aren’t always well taken care of. So if you find one, you’ll probably want to get some mechanical knowledge.

You can import one under the 25-year rule. This rule states that a vehicle must be 25 years of age or older to be imported into the United States. You’ll have to deal with things like tolls and shipping, but if you really want that midsize truck, it might be worth it.

On the shady side of things, there may be some illegal ways to get a Hilux. According to someone, he managed to get hold of a 2017 Toyota Hilux, which happened to be in Missouri. But who knows how something like this would be recorded.

The Hilux is a nearly indestructible truck

OK, so maybe this Toyota truck isn’t quite invincible, but it certainly has that reputation. Top Gear has been known to put its Hilux truck through a series of torture tests. One of them involved her being submerged in the sea, which you can see in the video below.

The guys at Top Gear tried their best to kill the Toyota Hilux. But doing so was not easy. Simply put, these trucks are built to withstand some very tough conditions. This is probably why so many people choose to rely on them. I can’t blame you for wanting to try it here in North America.

Why not sell the Toyota Hilux in the US?

This is due to the infamous chicken tax. The chicken tax is a tariff on light trucks imported into the United States, which makes it very expensive to do so. The Toyota Hilux isn’t made in North America, so selling it here would likely cost the company money; Hence, why do we have a Toyota Tacoma instead.

2009 Toyota Hilux | National Auto Museum via Getty Images
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However, this Toyota truck isn’t entirely off-limits here. For this reason, it is perfectly legal here in the states under the right circumstances. Your best bet might be to import one. But you may be lucky enough to own a Toyota Hilux in your area. You never know what’s in there.

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