Is Toyota Hilux Pickup Banned in America?

The multinational automaker, Toyota, is highly regarded in the United States for its pickup trucks. But American drivers are incapable of enjoying one truck from Toyota’s lineup. For many old-timer fans of pickup trucks, they may be missing the Toyota Hilux which debuted in the 90s.

Back then, most pickup trucks were strictly for gritty jobs and used as workhorse vehicles. However, the Hilux gained a positive reputation for its comfort and spacious cab. It was once appreciated as an innovative and impressive truck on the road. It is a hardy pickup that was popular before the Tacoma and Tundra made their debut. But why are they banned in America? Let’s find out.

Popularity

The Toyota Hilux is one of the well-known pickups not only in Japan and the U.S. but also worldwide. Aside from the impressive on- and off-road performance, its durability makes Hilux an unforgettable pickup truck.

Some people say that the Hilux is a legendary vehicle. It provides a spacious cabin that accommodates the driver and multiple passengers. The Hilux has a remarkable truck bed for your tools and other items. Headache racks can be installed behind the truck’s cabin window for more storage solutions.

Even with all its fame, it is difficult to spot a Toyota Hilux in the U.S. It is not necessarily banned in the country but you cannot find Hilux in Toyota dealers because of something called Chicken Tax.

Chicken Tax affecting Hilux

Chicken Tax is the reason why you cannot purchase a Toyota Hilux in America. The U.S. government imposes a 25 percent tax tariff on imported light trucks, like the Hilux, as well as other products such as potato starch, dextrin, and brandy.

If the Hilux was built in America, Toyota could sell the truck at a competitive price. But in reality, the tariff makes the vehicle too expensive and challenging to compete in the compact pickup truck segment. Due to the charges from the Chicken Tax, the Hilux cannot be offered at an affordable price in the American automotive market. Only a small percentage of consumers can afford an overly-priced pickup.

America has been known as “the land of opportunity,” yet the tariff denies the Hilux a chance to compete in the U.S. pickup truck segment. As the automaker’s response to the Chicken Tax, Toyota built Tacoma in the United States—which is now what many Americans drive.

Are Hilux and Tacoma the same?

In Toyota’s lineup, the Hilux was removed and replaced with a new truck model, Tacoma. When the truck was introduced in 1995, it took over where the Hilux left off.

Since Hilux still exist outside the U.S., the recent update on the truck shows a new interior and more powerful engine, which looks more like the Tacoma. Both have infotainment centers that can be connected to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Tacoma is a few inches higher than Hilux, so you may notice some owners putting nerf bars on their vehicles. Hilux is available in a single cab configuration and diesel option, while the Tacoma isn’t. Hilux has various engine options but Tacoma has a 3.5-liter V6 engine available. Other differences between the two pickup truck models are the look of the front fascia, sharper wheel designs, and body lines.

In terms of muscle, the Hilux has a towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs., and can carry a payload weight of up to 2,200 lbs. The Tacoma can only tow up to 6,800 lbs. and payload capacity of up to 1,620 lbs.

Moreover, there’s an active-safety feature called Toyota Safety Sense Suite in both Hilux and Tacoma. It is a new safety standard system that includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

Even with the similarities, the Hilux is not available in America.

Hilux generations

To talk a bit about the history of the Hilux, Toyota initially introduced it to the Japanese market in March 1968. The truck’s success has led it beyond Japanese borders and into the international market. In 1972, it finally arrived in the North American market, replacing three other models.

At one point, Toyota Hilux is a staple pickup truck in the North American market.

Here are some highlights of Hilux’s generations in the states:

• First: When it was introduced, it had a 1.5-liter I4 engine. The truck was available with regular cab and short bed configurations.
• Second: For the second generation, the Hilux has a more comfortable interior and upgraded engine options—the 2.0-liter 18R SOHC I4 and the 2.2-liter 20R SOHC I4.
• Third: The third-gen was redesigned in 1978 with a four-wheel-drive variant and wider front and rear tracks.
• Fourth: For the fourth generation, the Hilux went through another redesign in August 1983, wherein the Xtracab extended cab option was introduced.
• Fifth: In 1988, the fifth-gen Hilux had been redesigned with a longer-wheelbase option. Due to the rust-prone seams found in earlier models, the one-piece cargo-box walls in the truck were removed. Motor Trend magazine awarded the V6 Xtracab SR5 as the Truck of the Year. It was during this generation that Toyota discontinued the Hilux in the United States, replacing it with the new Tacoma for the 1995 model year.

From the mid-’70s until the mid-’90s, Toyota sold Hilux in North America. The Tacoma was released in 1995 and Hilux has not been available in America since.

Owning a Hilux

Americans can still own a legendary Hilux, especially the modern models. But it can only be achieved by importing the truck from another country. No law prevents anyone from buying a Toyota Hilux in the U.S. However, if you push through with importing a Hilux from somewhere else in the world, be ready to pay additional charges.

Due to the tax policy imposed, you still need to pay the required 25 percent tariff. Moreover, there’s a disadvantage if you decide to sell the truck. According to CarBuyingandSelling.com, you may also lose money if you decide in selling a Hilux in the U.S.

Not banned but unavailable

The Toyota Hilux would have been an impressive truck that will do well in the United States. It has an unrivaled reputation for style, durability, capability, and versatility, which makes it a beloved truck around the world. Too bad it has some work to do to meet the tariff and emission standards in the country. Despite the absence in America’s truck market, Hilux continues to dominate the global market as it is sold in numerous markets around the world.