The so-called “Chicken Tax” is to blame for the lack of Toyota Hiluxes in the United States. This tax refers to a 25% tariff that the U.S. government levies on imported goods like brandy, potato starch, and dextrin as well as light trucks like the Hilux. If the Toyota Hilux were produced in the United States, it could be sold for a reasonable price and not be subject to the Chicken Tax.
Toyota must produce a truck in the United States in order to avoid paying this tax. The Tacoma is essentially Toyota’s answer to the Chicken Tax.
Therefore, Chicken Tax prevents the Hilux from competing in the American pickup truck market since this tariff drives up the price of the vehicle. On the other hand, you are free to import a Toyota Hilux from someplace else in the world. There are no legal restrictions on purchasing a Toyota Hilux in the United States.
In This Article...
Can a Toyota Hilux be imported into the US?
The Toyota Hilux is totally legal to import from elsewhere in the world if you so choose; it is not prohibited in the United States. However, after including in all the import-related expenses, such as the 25% Chicken Tax, you’ll find that your little truck actually cost you much more than a brand-new Toyota Tacoma, and you’ll lose a lot of money when you try to sell it.
Why aren’t Toyota diesel vehicles marketed in the US?
It is true that Toyota sold the Hilux in America until 1995, when the Tacoma took its place.
Since there used to be a fair number of them on the highways, the Hilux was frequently referred to North America as just the “Toyota Pickup.”
Why then did Toyota switch to the Tacoma if they had been selling the Hilux up to that point despite the Chicken Tax? Why alter a positive trend?
The United States implemented rules in the 1980s that made it more difficult to import cars into the US market (you can learn more about this in our article on why the Nissan Skyline is illegal in America).
Short version: These legislative amendments added to the difficulties already caused by the feared Chicken Tax, making it more difficult and expensive for Toyota to sell the Hilux in America.
This confluence of elements gave Toyota the inspiration to create a light vehicle that was better suited for the American and Canadian markets.
The Tacoma had a better ride and more comfortable ride than the Hilux, along with better on-road performance and safety features, at the sacrifice of durability and payload capacity.
The Hilux is regarded as the ideal vehicle for off-roading, construction work, and agricultural use in many markets. As a result, Hiluxes were frequently marketed to companies (particularly farmers) who valued toughness, cargo capacity, and off-road performance over creature amenities. The Hilux is still one of the most popular business/commercial vehicles in New Zealand, where we are situated, despite the fact that other trucks (or “utes” as they are called here) offer greater driving dynamics and conveniences.
However, “light trucks (i.e., smaller utility vehicles) are less frequently used as strictly commercial vehicles in the North American market.”
The preference of North American consumers to buy larger trucks for use as agricultural vehicles, “tradesman trucks,” etc.
For the American market, the Hilux had a strange market niche. It was too tiny to serve as a proper commercial or agricultural vehicle, and the majority of domestic purchasers were starting to favor SUVs like the Hilux-based 4Runner.
This is made worse by the fact that the Hilux performs best with diesel engines yet that the American market prefers bigger gasoline engines (at least when it comes to vehicles used for personal transportationwhereas in countries like Australia and New Zealand it is not unusual at all for a family to purchase a diesel car for everyday use).
Our investigation indicates that Toyota does not currently provide any diesel-powered automobiles for sale in the United States due to consumer preferences and requirements for emissions management. The greatest diesel engine options for these trucks, as any Hilux lover will tell you, are another factor working against the Hilux in the American market.
Are Hilux and Tacoma equivalent?
Except for those in North America, almost every country has access to the Toyota Hilux as its midsize truck. Why? Our Hilux lasted until 1976. We then changed its name to Toyota Truck and then Tacoma.
The Hilux (or Hi-Lux) evolved from being the same fundamental truck we have in this country to a totally distinct truck for the international market. Over time, the Hilux developed distinctive features that set it apart from the Tacoma.
It has a separate platform and distinct powertrains now. Its capabilities, outward design, and interior design are all different. Simply said, it’s a truck that is almost entirely unique.
The 2.8-liter, 1GD-FTV four-cylinder common rail diesel engine of the Toyota Hilux used in this movie produces 177 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Although it had a six-speed manual transmission as standard, the owner in this video chose the six-speed automatic instead. The Hilux differs from the Tacoma in terms of cargo, towing, and size.
When the new truck(s) platform version of the TNGA is introduced, all of that could alter in the future. In the future, other components might be shared.
This video shows:
We get a great and thorough look at a 2019 Toyota Hilux thanks to this video entry from Malaysia. The American Tacoma differs significantly from what the rest of the world receives right away. Despite being completely different, it nonetheless enjoys a sterling reputation.
How does the Tacoma compare to the Hilux?
Everything in America is bigger than you would imagine, and the Tacoma is no exception. The Hilux and Tacoma’s differences, however, are not particularly significant.
According to Driving Line, the double cab Tacoma is only marginally wider than a Hilux in its class. Given that American roadways are a bit wider than those in many other nations, these measurements are appropriate for the Tacoma.
In terms of the trapezoidal shape, the most recent Hilux resembles the Tacoma, but the Hilux sports a more streamlined front and sleeker headlights. Additionally, it has more defined wheel designs and sharper body lines. There are alternatives for a tough exterior that has a lot of cladding, though.
The Tacoma, on the other hand, has a block appearance with bulging fenders, glaring headlamps, and a squared-off body shape.
What makes the Toyota Hilux so unique?
The first vehicle to travel to the Magnetic North Pole was this one. The Hilux was the first vehicle to be driven to the Magnetic North Pole in 2007. Jeremey Clarkson, a broadcaster for Top Gear, was operating the vehicle.
What makes terrorists choose Toyotas?
One of Toyota’s most devoted and unfortunate customers returned to power on August 15 when the Taliban rode into Kabul and took control of the presidential palace.
Are the Toyota Tundra and the Hilux the same thing?
Toyota Tundra and Hilux vary in that Tundra is larger than Hilux and, as a result, has a far greater capacity for towing than Toyota Hilux. But for most people, the Toyota Hilux can be a cost-effective choice.
Can I purchase a car in Mexico and import it to the United States?
An R34 cannot be registered or operated on public roads in the United States before 2024, according to the NHTSA, and is only permitted for use on tracks. This calls for specific NHTSA approval and the conversion of the vehicle to track-only use prior to importing.
That still leaves one border open, therefore today we’ll talk about how to bring an automobile from Mexico into the country without the use of a professional business. Fortunately, importing an automobile from Mexico is not all that dissimilar from doing it almost everywhere else. The procedures for importing an automobile from Mexico are largely the same as those for shipping one from outside, with the exception of the fact that you can just drive the vehicle across the border.
Let’s take a deeper look at the procedures you must follow in order to legally import and operate a Mexican vehicle in the United States.
What is the fuel efficiency of a Toyota Hilux?
Look no farther than the Toyota Hilux for a tough-as-nails pickup truck because it was immortalized in a Top Gear episode when Clarkson tried and failed to kill it. Although the newest model is more plusher, it may not be all that much tougher than that automobile.
The Hilux’s 150PS 2.4-liter diesel engine can tow 3.5 tonnes at its utmost capacity and can yield 40.4mpg in terms of fuel efficiency. It also has a locking rear differential and four-wheel drive as standard equipment, giving it the ability to handle difficult terrain.
For a pickup truck, the interior is pleasant and provides enough space for four adults as well as various smaller storage compartments to keep the cabin organized. While climate control and a reversing camera are included in high-end versions, air conditioning is a common feature.
Is a Toyota diesel vehicle coming to the US?
Additionally, the Toyota Tacoma turbodiesel is anticipated to be available with a standard six-speed automatic gearbox or six-speed manual transmission, which will add to the excitement for off-roaders. This would give drivers more choices, which would further alter the game.
The new diesel engine should give the 2022 Toyota Tacoma additional power. To make it more competitive, its towing capacity might be increased to roughly 8,000 lb. For instance, the Chevy Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lb, whereas the 2021 Toyota Tacoma can pull up to 6,800 lb. Therefore, the outdated Tacoma has long needed some upgrades.
Hilux or Ranger: which is superior?
Even if the Toyota Hilux has almost legendary qualities and the Japanese company behind it is reputable, the Ford Ranger still triumphs based solely on specifications. In comparison to its Toyota rival, it provides you with a lot more features and power options at a lower price. The higher grade variations that offer you active and passive car protection include a ton of features. These not only make the vehicle safer, but also easier to drive. Based on what the spec sheet suggests and the Ford Ranger’s more competitive pricing for what the vehicle can provide, the Ford Ranger wins this head-to-head comparison.
The Toyota Hilux is how powerful?
The Hilux has a payload capacity of at least 1,000 kg, and that increases to 1,030 kg for the Active Single and Double Cabs. Each Hilux can tow up to 3,500kg while braked (or 750kg while unbraked), which is comparable to most of its competitors.