Having traveled the length and breadth of Mexico more than a few times, I have often come across a variety of tough and relatively basic diesel-derivative vehicles that do the hard work as agricultural, municipal, military, and civilian private overland vehicles. And, while Mexico has had access to rugged, simple vehicles that many American overlanders would love to own and travel with, the reality is that the “best” overland vehicles were never sold in Mexico, or were only sold in limited quantities (that might change when the Toyota IMV0 is released there, and not in the USA). The Land Rover Series, Discovery, and Defender models were sold in Mexico in limited numbers, and they are as rare there as a zebra in Alaska. The Land Cruiser 70 Series has been imported in limited numbers for specialist industries and use, and are even more scarce than the old Land Rovers. The list of great vehicles that were never commercially available in the US is painfully long, but, as alluded to above, Mexico didn’t get most of the greats either, and those that are available are generally expensive due to economies of scale. I hope that makes you feel a bit better.
That said, over the past quarter century, Mexico has had access to a distinctive lineup of great 4WD vehicles that have remained unavailable to US buyers despite growing interest among American off-road and overland enthusiasts. These vehicles, largely excluded from the US due to regulatory hurdles, import tariffs, and market strategies, represent some of the most practical and well-proven options for rugged travel in remote environments. While many of them are sold across global markets, their continued presence in Mexico highlights the country’s more utilitarian focus when it comes to off-road transportation.
Suzuki Jimny
One of the most iconic examples is the Suzuki Jimny, a compact 4-wheel-drive SUV with a ladder frame chassis, solid axles, and a low-range transfer case. Sold consistently in Mexico since the early 2000s, the Jimny, available in both two-door and four-door models, is prized for its nimbleness and off-road capability despite its diminutive size. Suzuki’s withdrawal from the US market in 2012 meant that the Jimny never reached American showrooms, especially in its newer generations.
However, its popularity has grown among overland travelers who value lightweight, mechanically simple vehicles that can still tackle technical terrain. The Jimny would be our first choice for an overland-capable vehicle sold in Mexico.
Toyota Hilux
Another globally respected platform available in Mexico but not sold in the US since the mid-1990s is the Toyota Hilux, our second choice on this list. The Toyota Hilux was effectively available in the US until 1995, but it wasn’t called the Hilux after 1976. Instead, Toyota sold it simply as the Toyota Pickup or Toyota Truck, which is known for its durability and is trusted by fleets and humanitarian organizations worldwide.
The Hilux has been sold steadily in Mexico while remaining out of reach for US buyers. The primary barrier is the so-called “chicken tax,” a 25 percent tariff on imported light trucks, which has made it economically impractical to bring the Hilux stateside. Additionally, the Hilux would directly compete with the U.S.-built Toyota Tacoma, which fills a similar niche in North America, albeit without diesel engines or the same reputation for global durability.
Montero Sport
In some regions, the Mitsubishi L200, also known as the Triton, has maintained a long-standing presence in Mexico. Alongside it, the Montero Sport, also known as the Pajero Sport in international markets (but not in Latin America, where the word pajero has a less-than-savory meaning, similar to the word colgate but not the same), remains a staple SUV with body-on-frame construction and selectable 4WD with low range.
Although the Montero Sport was briefly sold in the United States in the early 2000s, Mitsubishi’s US lineup later shifted toward crossovers and sedans, leaving the more rugged options to markets like Mexico. These vehicles continue to appeal to Mexican buyers in both urban and rural contexts, especially in regions where road conditions demand greater traction and suspension travel.
Nissan NP300
Nissan’s NP300, the global-market version of the Frontier, is another 4WD pickup that has remained widely available in Mexico. While the US Frontier underwent platform changes and updates tailored to domestic preferences, the NP300 retained simpler, more utilitarian features, including a part-time 4WD system and optional diesel powertrains. The NP300’s longevity and adaptability have made it a mainstay for work fleets and backcountry travel alike.
More recently, Mexico has seen the introduction of 4WD pickups from automakers not currently active in the US market. The Peugeot Landtrek, introduced in the early 2020s, is a mid-size truck available with selectable 4WD and designed for emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Similarly, the Volkswagen Amarok, which was available in Mexico during the 2010s and early 2020s, combined diesel engines with a robust chassis and off-road hardware, appealing to those in need of a capable, refined pickup. Despite interest among American enthusiasts, the Amarok was never sold in the US due to emissions regulations and the complexities of adapting it to US safety standards.
Renault Duster Oroch
Another global model with limited distribution in Mexico is the Renault Duster Oroch, a compact unibody pickup that occasionally comes with all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. Although not a traditional body-on-frame 4WD, the Oroch has found a niche among urban and rural users seeking basic off-pavement capability in a small, efficient package.
Renault’s lack of presence in the US market has kept the Oroch out of American showrooms. The Oroch is not your typical vehicle, but it has proven to be a tough little machine that punches above its weight.
Ford Ranger
A final notable case is the global Ford Ranger, which continued to be sold in Mexico during the years when the model was absent from the US market (2012 to 2019). The Mexican-spec Ranger offered diesel engines and traditional 4-wheel drive setups during this period, appealing to both commercial and private users. Only with the reintroduction of the Ranger in the US in 2019 did American buyers regain access to a mid-size Ford pickup with off-road chops. And now the Aussies have a new Ford Ranger Super Duty that is more capable than ever, but, predictably, won’t be sold in the US.
Collectively, these vehicles represent a market segment that prioritizes simplicity, mechanical durability, and capability over refinement or size. Mexico’s continued access to these models reflects different buyer priorities and a regulatory environment that is more accommodating of utilitarian platforms. For American overland travelers and off-road enthusiasts, many of these vehicles remain tantalizingly close, yet frustratingly out of reach—unless imported as used vehicles under the 25-year exemption rule.
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