Why Is The Toyota Hilux Not Sold In The Usa

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.

Do Toyota Hiluxes sell in the US?

One of the most well-liked, resilient, dependable, and adaptable pickup trucks in the world, the Toyota Hilux is the standard model in a huge number of nations. You might be wondering why you can’t buy a Toyota Hilux in America if the Hilux is so great and no country likes trucks as much as we do in America. And before we go any further, selling the Hilux in the US is not prohibited.

The Chicken Tax, a 25% tariff (tax) levied by the American government on imported brandy, dextrin, potato starch, and light vehicles like the Toyota Hilux, prevents you from purchasing a Toyota Hilux at the moment. The Hilux wouldn’t be subject to that tariff if Toyota constructed it here in America like many other Toyota models, enabling Toyota to sell it for a reasonable price. The Hilux would become uncompetitive in the market for compact pickup trucks as a result of the levy.

Although it’s impossible to purchase a Hilux in the United States, you can get some excellent secondhand trucks and other automobiles for incredibly inexpensive costs here that might be sufficient. Ex-government and confiscated automobiles of various varieties are available for purchase at government auctions, where savvy bidders can score a significant discount.

The Hilux is it forbidden in America?

A pickup truck that can travel wherever and everywhere is the Toyota Hilux, with the exception of North America. We explain why!

One of the most well-known utility vehicles in the world is the Toyota Hilux. The Hilux is a pickup truck to remember because of its outstanding performance both on and off the road, as well as its comfortable, luxurious interior and smooth ride.

Despite its widespread use, it might be difficult to find one in North America, especially the more recent models. However, given that it can readily compete with its American rivals in terms of usefulness, why is this Toyota so uncommon in the United States and Canada?

Revised: July 2022 This post has been updated with fresh information about the venerable Toyota Hilux and how you can still buy one despite it being illegal in the US!

Let’s discuss the Toyota Hilux’s notoriety and reputation before discussing why it isn’t sold in the United States.

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.

Is the Hilux an improvement over the Tacoma?

According to Autoweek, the 2019 Hilux has an updated 2.8-liter inline-four turbodiesel engine. This has a 201 horsepower and 369 lb-ft torque output.

Customers of the Tacoma have a choice between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 278 horsepower, according to U.S. News & World Report. Only TRD trim levels provide the manual transmission option. The rest of the lineup includes a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Tacoma has two- and four-wheel drive choices. Both the Tacoma and the Hilux are available with two or four doors, as well as either long or short pickup beds.

Toyota designed the Tacoma with towing in mind while favoring a higher payload with the Hilux. The Hilux non-chassis cab can tow 1,650 pounds while the Tacoma can pull up to 6,800 pounds. But compared to the Tacoma’s 1,685 pounds, the Hilux can carry up to 2,240 pounds.

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.

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.

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 Toyota Hilux’s reliability?

It’s not surprising that Autocar ranked the Hilux as the finest pickup truck in the UK for 2021. Furthermore, Parker.co.uk rated the Hilux 4.6 out of 5.0, making it the most dependable pickup truck on UK roads.

It received a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from Auto Express for dependability and safety, which is a respectable score for an off-road pickup truck.

We can trust Top Gear, despite the fact that RepairPal and J.D. Power did not grade the Hilux because it is not sold in the United States.

Do Toyota Hiluxes sell in Canada?

This is the Tacoma mid-size truck from Toyota, which has been consistently popular (in Canada and the United States, at least). The Hilux is primarily a work truck and lacks many of the Tacoma’s extras. The latter is advertised more as an all-purpose car with a strong off-road focus. The Hilux comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and two-wheel drive.

Why we like it: The Hilux is a straightforward truck that is simple to maintain. In comparison to the testosterone-fueled Tacoma, it also has a gentler, more urban-friendly look. Taxis, police cars, and utility vehicles for contractors all over the world use the Hilux.

Where it is sold: It is offered in marketplaces all over the world, including those in Mexico, South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania.

Why is it not offered here? Since the Hilux brand was discontinued in Canada and the United States in 1976, the current model (eighth generation) does not meet regional safety and emissions regulations. The Hilux is also subject to the 25% tax because it is not produced here “American tax on chicken

Reason for optimism? “Everyone adores the Hilux. According to Stephen Beatty at Toyota Canada, I adore the Hilux. “They occasionally appear on Canadian roadways due to persons bringing them over from Mexico. However, the market in Canada and the United States for 2WD commuter vehicles has “Almost vanished, says Beatty. This vehicle’s potential market is too small to warrant the capital expenditure.

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.

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.

Hilux or Tacoma, which is larger?

When comparing the sizes of the Tacoma and the Hilux, it’s clear that everything in America is bigger than it is elsewhere, though perhaps not by as much as you might assume. The well-liked double cab, short bed Tacoma is about two inches longer than a Hilux with a comparable specification.

In terms of breadth, they are roughly equal, with the Tacoma measuring around two inches broader than an equivalent Hilux. This is to be expected given the size of American roads and parking spaces compared to those in the major markets for the Hilux.