Interesting cars that are outlawed in the United States

Photo: Car Magazine / Top Gear

Mercedes-Benz is a popular luxury brand in the U.S., so most of its European model lineup is available here.

But the operative word here is “most,” since Mercedes never introduced their A-Class models to America.


The most interesting version is the mighty A45 AMG.

This combo launches the compact A45 from 0 to 60 mph in an incredible 4.2 seconds.

Photo: Cars 4 Race

One of the brands that U.S. buyers have missed since the early 1990s is the Alfa Romeo.

In 2012, Alfa announced its return to the states. As always, their new models are gorgeous and drive like a dream. But there’s something missing. It was a compact hatchback that Alfa never brought to America.

It is a typical Italian hot hatch. It’s fast and capable of competing in the market segment.

However, for some reason, Alfa Romeo didn’t think the Giulietta would be a good idea for America. So, unfortunately, U.S. drivers are left without a stylish alternative to the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus.

Photo: Auto Car

Similar to the Mercedes A-Class, BMW has presented the 1-Series as their entry-level compact model.

But in contrast to the front-wheel-drive Mercedes A-Class, BMW stayed true to their roots.

In fact, they produced a rear-wheel-drive car that was the only compact hatchback with their drivetrain layout.

Having rear-wheel drive in a small body proved interesting to drive. That was because it offered superb driving dynamics in a small package, putting all other compact cars to shame.

But in 2016, BMW presented the most powerful model in the form of the BMW 140i. It produces 360 HP, thanks to the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and 4.6-second 0 to 60 mph time.

Compared to all other front or all-wheel drive hot hatches, the BMW 1-Series is a unique driving experience. Sadly, it’s not for sale in America yet.

Photo: Car Buyer / Car Magazin

Most drivers know about the Volkswagen Golf R with its 308 HP engine and intelligent front-wheel drive.

But if you live in Europe, you can have the Spanish version of this car in the form of the far more aggressive-looking Seat Leon Cupra R.

However, this not just the case of putting a different body on a Golf chassis.

The Cupra R has a unique suspension setup, visual enhancements, and more options. All that makes this Spanish hot hatch a special car.

Photo: Top Speed / Super Cars

Unfortunately, the story of this remarkable car is a sad one as this was one of the last true UK-USA hybrids and a modern-day muscle coupe with Italian styling, American engine, and British exclusivity.

Constructed in Modena, Italy, and finished in England, MG X-Power was designed to deliver sports car-level of performance with aggressive muscle styling and the soundtrack to match.

Photo: Which Car

The appearance of the mighty HSV GTS 300 was pretty alarming for Ford since the Blue Oval boys didn’t have anything to put against this crazy fast black Holden.

But a year later, in cooperation with Tickford, Ford introduced the TE50 Falcon, of course, in sedan form.

The 5.6-liter V8 engine was responsible for moving this sleek sedan equipped with a special body kit and host of other performance upgrades.

Despite the fact that the 5.6-V8 delivered 335 HP, which was less than the 5.7-liter V8 in the GTS 300, the Falcon Tickford TE50 had very similar performance.

Photo: Motor Authority

Ultima Cars were never the mainstream supercar you buy just to show off.

Ultimas were extreme road-going machines for supercar purists and for people brave enough to tackle a superfast car without any help from electronic systems.

So, the latest offering in the form of Evolution Coupe is exactly what you want if you have an automotive suicide wish.

Photo: Motor 1 / Arabs Auto

Even though Toyota sold older versions of this truck in the U.S., the Hilux has been absent from America for decades now. A

nd that’s a shame since this compact truck is one of the widely recognized “tough as nails” vehicles in the world. It can pull, carry, and get through the wilderness with ease.

Toyota sells thousands of these tough 4×4 trucks around the world.

You’ll find them practically on every continent except for North America.

Most Hilux models they sell globally are diesel-powered. But customers in America are not used to compact trucks with that kind of engine.

Also, there is the question of emissions standards. Although the compact truck market was dead for many years, it has recently started to re-emerge with models like the Chevrolet Colorado.

Photo: Gay Car Boys / Zenith Auto

If you think Volkswagen is one of the world’s biggest car companies that sells the same models in America as everywhere else, think again.

And one example is the elegant yet capable compact truck they call the Amarok.

Sadly, Volkswagen sells it practically everywhere except North America.

However, this truck can do the dirtiest jobs yet still look presentable enough to take a date out to dinner. But unfortunately, Volkswagen didn’t think the Amarok could gain enough shares on the American market, so they decided not to sell it there. Also, after the devastating “Dieselgate” scandal from a couple of years ago, selling a diesel-powered model on the American market could be difficult.

Photo: Almrsal

Popular import brands like Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen don’t sell their full model lineup in the U.S. In fact, it looks like American automobile customers are sometimes left without the most interesting models or versions.

So here is an interesting list of what U.S. consumers have been missing.

Most of these cars are from brands you probably know. But sadly, you’ll never see any of these models on U.S. soil.