Unfortunately, some of the coolest cars out there are illegal and even banned in the US! From cars not passing safety inspections to countries simply not wanting to let American’s have them, there are tons of them that you’ll probably never see in person.
Aston Martin Virage
The Virage was available in America back in 1990 until 1993, but it was eventually banned since it couldn’t pass emission standards. Sorry, Americans, no Virage for you!
Wiesman GT MF5
This bar has been banned in America, but, it would also be extremely rare to have in general. When it was produced in 2009, only 55 units were put on the market.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Models
This upgrade of the Mitsubishi Lancer got pretty illegal pretty quickly for Americans. The upgrades included a shortened shift ratio, a rear limited-slip differential, and optional Brembo brakes along with Active Yaw Control, an Anti-Lock Braking System, and bucket seats. Once again, too fast for Americans.
1992 Smart Crossblade
This tiny little car has no doors, roof, or windows. Naturally, America deemed that as unsafe and has banned it.
TVR Tuscan
In Europe, safety standards are a bit lower than America’s. This car has about 350 brake horsepower, and since it’s so small, it can go extremely fast. It’s simply too fast for American’s!
Volkswagen XL1
This is like… The Supercar of the future. The production of the car started in 2013 but was only limited to 250. So, even though this car isn’t legal in the US, it’ll be pretty hard to find anywhere else, too.
Noble M600
This car is a hand-built, supercar that’s got a base horsepower of 450. Just to prove how fast it is, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear beat the Pagan Zonda Roadster and Bugatti Veyron.
Jaguar XJ220S
At the time of production, this car was one of the fastest cars on Earth. Naturally, that meant that America was quick to slap it on the blacklist and keep it there.
Land Rover Defender
The 1993 Defender 110 has a 300TDI engine, which is the reason why it was quickly put on the banned list.
Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion
Even though this car is banned, it’s actually one of the most fuel-efficient Volkswagen’s we’ve seen. It was modified to have longer gear ratios and the body was designed to be more aerodynamic… So, it’s too fast for the US. But, with those designs, the car produces less than 100g/km of CO2 and can get into 74.3 mpg.
Alfa Romeo Giuletta Type 940
This car is actually marketed as a family car that’s as elegant as it is convenient. It has a 2.0L diesel engine with 148 horsepower.
Nissan Pulsar
Unfortunately, even though there are tons of variety to this car, they’re all banned in the US due to how powerful it is as a car.
Toyota Sera
More American cars should have butterfly wings. This one isn’t necessarily “banned” but it’s definitely not available on the American market. Japan wanted to keep this one for themselves.
Lotus 340R
Why is this not legal in the US, you ask? It can be explained pretty simply: Zero to Sixty in 4.4 seconds. This is definitely a racing car!
Toyota Hilux
This truck simply never made it to the American market, and it was really only produced once or twice. Now that it’s getting older, it won’t be making its ways overseas. But, it’s still cool! And, it’s great for offroading. Only in Japan, though!
Nissan Patrol
This Pathfinder look-alike was discontinued in 2014 and is really only available on the countries that it was produced in, like South Africa, Pakistan, Paraguay, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
Bentley Azure Mark II
This car was oddly placed on America’s banned list but is readily available in Russia, Europe, and the Middle East. It’s a pretty high-powered luxury car that maybe even James Bond would like.
Porsche Carerra 911 RS
Certain models of the Carerra are not allowed in the US, and of course, they’re the coolest ones. Americans will never be able to know the luxury of driving these fast, awesome Porsche’s.
Lamborghini Diablo
It’s not surprising that anything named Diablo is banned in the US. This Lambo has a v12 engine with 486 brake horsepower. The 1997 model of the Diablo did not meet the safety requirements, but there are some other model years out there!
1994 Toyota Supra
This car is very 90s and very good. The Supra was sold for a short time, but other foreign models that are younger than 25 years old aren’t allowed in the US.
Porsche Carrera 964 RS
This version of the Carerra (just as nice) was fitted with a faster engine. So, yeah, that resulted in a ban.
Lotus Elise Series 1
This other version of the Lotus is much faster and way more banned. This car has a significantly bigger engine as well and is another car that’s mainly for the racetrack.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster
Basically, this car was built with other countries in mind. The makers didn’t really care if America got this car or not, and eventually it failed the safety test. Sorry, Americans!
Skoda Fabia Greenline II
This car literally just looks like a family SUV… And, it is! This car is not allowed in the US due to the fact that it’s simply not easy to import because of regulations. This car does get a lot of mpg though.
Nissan Figaro
This adorable little car only has about 12,000 made. It never met the safety regulations, so it’s been blacklisted since it’s initial production in 1991.
Fiat 126p
Also known as the “Common Man’s Car,” this car was banned due to commercial lobbying, weirdly enough. It’s one of the most common cars to see overseas.
BMW M6
This particular BMW is pretty iconic, but still not allowed in the US. Due to import regulations, these cars aren’t allowed in. They’re not technically banned, but you won’t ever see one in the US.
Citreon 2CV Dolly
This car looks like every other old-fashioned Ford, right? Those are street legal! Well, this 1985 beauty doesn’t reach the standards for America’s safety and emissions report, so it’s banned.
Porsche Carerra 4 Lightweight
Only 20 of these bad guys have been made! Unfortunately, it’s way too light and hasn’t met the standards, so the result is a ban.
TVR Tuscan
If you’ve seen John Travolta’s film Swordfish, then you’ve seen this car. This car has no airbags and no antilock brakes. Not safe, sorry America!
Volkswagen Beetle Ultima Edicion
This edition of the infamous bug never met the safety standards, so it’s been banned. This one’s got a trunk in the front!
Honda Beat
Honda collaborated with Pininfarina design and was only made for the Japanese market. Since it was such a limited supply, Japan wouldn’t let any other country get one!
Mazda Cosmo
This car was actually a huge competitor to Lexus at the time, and a lot of car enthusiasts were interested in comparing the two. Unfortunately, Japan also limited this one just to their market, so none of these cars will ever be available in America.
Morgan LeMans ’62 Prototype
This car is one of the rarest out there. Only three are available in the states, but you’ll probably never see one.
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
A lot of car fans would call this a pretty powerful and aggressive car. Wouldn’t you know that’s pretty much why it’s illegal in the US!
Fiat 500 Abarth
Initially, the 2008 version of this car wasn’t allowed in the US. It was only until the 2010 version that the US allowed it on its roads.
Saab 9-5 Sportcombi
Even though Saab is a random brand of car to be banned from the US, it’s true! Saab actually became bankrupted, so the production of this car was limited to overseas. Even then, the US still deemed it unsafe for its roads.
Rover Mini Cooper
Anyone here a fan of Mr. Bean? The correct answer: Yes! This car was Mr. Beans sick ride during his TV show. Unsurprisingly, this car got too low of ratings for US standards.
Toyota Supra
Fast and Furious, anyone? This car was quickly banned in the US as it barely even came close to becoming street legal. Honestly, that’s how it should be if this is an F&F car.
Aston Martin Virage Volante
Only 13 of these cars were ever built. Only one of them have passed the test to be legal in the US…
TVR Sagaris
This car can reach 60 mph in just a few seconds, which is enough to make the US pretty nervous. This car is also too light to pass the test to the US and has been blacklisted!
Audi Avant Rs2
Basically, the Avant is a utility vehicle that had extreme specifications. It’s definitely not allowed on American soil.
TVR Cerbera
The newer versions of this are allowed in the US, but all makes between 1996 and 2005 are strictly off-limits. The reason? 420 horsepower engine with 2.6 seconds 0-60. Yeah.
Porsche 959 S
This car is deemed as very rare due to its crazy specs, but it’s also been deemed very illegal in America for the same reason.
Toyota Sera
Butterfly doors!!! This car looks like it’s a sports car, but it’s not! This car isn’t safe enough for America, which is a shame since our roads would look much cooler with these guys on it.
TVR T350
Even a sleek, gorgeous design like this isn’t enough for America to make it legal.
Aprilia Moto 6.5
This motorcycle has tons of enhancements and features that the US hasn’t made legal. So, it’ll never touch American soil.
Renault Avantime
This sleek model was produced between 2001 and 2003 but sold really poorly in foreign markets. It’s not necessarily on the blacklist, but it probably wouldn’t be allowed in.
Pegaso Z103
This car is super rare! Only three of them have ever been made. Due to its popularity, British investors commissioned 11 replica models… According to US regulations, no replica models can be imported.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
This model was made in Japan. It’s listed as “ineligible” for import because it failed the show and display regulations.
Noble M-600
This is a supercar with a twin-turbocharged Volvo V8. Obviously, like most supercars, safety is the last thing they were thinking about when they designed this, so it’s been banned.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
This is a full-sized luxury car that has been native to Canada since 1968. You might be able to see it at any foreign car shows, but not here in the US. It’s been banned.
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III
This car was only produced in Germany and South Africa. Only 600 of them exist! It failed the Show and Display regulations.
Trabant
This car is super cute and compact, but it has tons of problems. The car was poorly built with tons of production delays, so the US deemed it unsafe for import.
Toyota Carina ED
Weirdly enough, this car was banned in the US simple due to “oversaturation” in the market. You can have too much of anything these days!
Suzuki Jimmy
There was never a demand for this car in the American market, so it never made it. Which is fine, honestly, because it’s not a great car…
Zastava 750 Fica
This car looks like it’s from the 1930s, but it was actually produced in 1985! It was never imported by its Serbian manufacturers, and that’s just fine.
Peugeot RCZ
This sports coupe was made specifically for the French network. You won’t ever see this sleek design in the states!
Ford Falcon Ute
This Australian car was produced between 1961 and 2016. Any models of the car before 1992 are allowed in, but it’s been banned since then.
Yamaha TZR250R
This crazy Japanese sports bike is way too fast and way too lightweight to be legal in the US.