I’ve lamented about this before: some of the coolest cars don’t make it over to the United States. Whether it is due to emissions standards, safety, regulations, or limited production, there are some sports cars that remain out of reach for American car buyers. Here’s a look at eight vehicles that can’t be bought in the United States.
8. Toyota GR Yaris
While Toyota is known for its reliability in the States, it hasn’t given American drivers anything that was performance-driven or fun to drive. The Toyota GR Yaris was a chance for them to introduce a hot hatch to the U.S., but it wasn’t released here. Analysts said that the GR Yaris wasn’t likely to do well in the U.S. and they decided to give us a GR Corolla instead. The GR Corolla has faired okay. Its first full year of sales was in 2023 and 5,567 were sold. However, the Yaris was just a little bit cooler. Unfortunately, regulations and the market focus on larger vehicles will continue to keep it out of reach.
7. Holden HSV GTSR W1
Holden is an Australian carmaker. The HSV GTSR W1 is a sports sedan that packs a punch. It is equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 635 horsepower. This vehicle represented the end of an era as Holden ceased production in 2017. Only 300 were made and they were all left-hand drive. Sadly, none of them were destined to hit the road in the U.S.
6. Porsche 959
You can come across a Porsche 959 in the U.S., but you won’t be able to buy it from a dealer. More than likely, you’ll have to have one imported or find a private seller, and it will be costly. The 959 made its way onto the market in Europe in the 1980s. It was ahead of its time with its twin-turbocharged flat-six engine and all-wheel drive. Safety and emissions standards kept it out of reach for American drivers.
5. Alpine A110
Alpine has not ever been sold in the U.S. The French carmaker hasn’t made its way into the American market, but it has plans to do so in 2027. Those plans include an A110 electric successor. However, Americans have missed out on a lot of great Alpine cars, including the original A110. It was not sold in the States due to safety and emissions regulations. While you can get one imported, it is expensive, making it only accessible to a select few.
4. KTM X-Bow
Technically, you can buy an X-Bow from a KTM dealer in the United States, but driving away with it will vary in difficulty, depending on where you live. It is sold as a non-street legal racecar in the States, meaning you can’t drive it on the road off the lot. You can apply for a street title for the car, but some states won’t allow it. This is because it was built without ABS or airbags.
3. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Wagon
Mercedes-Benz has a large lineup in the U.S., but the C63 AMG wagon is not one of them. You can get an E-class wagon here, but it’s just not the same. The C63 AMG wagon has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that puts out 503 horsepower. It’s just an amazing machine. Ultimately, Mercedes didn’t think it’d be a good market fit for the States because Americans tend to favor SUVs over wagons.
2. BMW M3 Touring
The BMW M3 Touring was another sports car never meant to hit the roads in the U.S. This was largely due to the certifications needed to sell in the States. It has a different rear structure that would require it to be re-certified for emissions and fuel economy. Then, in 2019, BMW discontinued the M3 Touring altogether. At that point, it accounted for less than 1% of the carmaker’s sales. That said, there is a special edition of the M3 CS Touring that is scheduled for release in 2025. Only 2,000 are planned for production worldwide. Again, none are expected to be sold in the U.S. However, the next-gen M3 is expected to be all-electric, which could make it easier to pass emissions and other tests in the States. So, we could see an EV version at some point in the future.
1. Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
Although you can legally import the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 today, it was out of reach for many Americans for a long time. It has accrued a cult-like following for its “Godzilla” status on the car scene. This car was featured in movies and video games, which seems like a taunt to Americans because it was always the ultimate “forbidden fruit.” The Skyline GT-R R34 became legal to import on January 1, 2024, under the 25-year import rule. Unfortunately, the R34 is still largely unavailable.
Dream Cars Beyond Reach
These sports cars embody innovation, speed, and style but remain unattainable in the U.S. due to various restrictions. Their exclusivity fuels their allure, making them some of the most coveted vehicles in the world. For American car enthusiasts, these are the ones that got away—at least for now. Which one tops your wishlist? Share this article with fellow gearheads and spark the debate!