In the land of the free, there’s a long list of cars that don’t quite make the cut to cruise the U.S. streets. Thanks to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, or NHTSA for short, we’ve got a roster of rides that have been shown the red light.
This agency, a big player under the U.S. Department of Transportation, sticks to a pretty noble mission: saving lives, dodging injuries, and cutting down on car crashes. They’re the final word on what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to what we drive.
From supercars that were too hot to handle to classics that couldn’t meet modern standards, here are 24 cars that the NHTSA has banned from U.S. roads.
Lotus Elise Series 1
The Lotus Elise Series 1 kicked off in 1996. Designed by Julian Thompson, the Series 1 focused heavily on slashing the curb weight and hugging the road with a low center of gravity. This design philosophy meant that the Series 1 could outpace rivals with bigger engines.
Every Lotus car is built with a driver-first mentality, aiming to deliver the best driving experience. The Elise Series 1 is no exception. Sadly, the Series 1 never got the green light for American roads.
Aston Martin Virage
The Aston Martin Virage is a legend, but not the kind you can easily drive around in the States. Launched in ’89 and bowing out in 2000, this beast made a comeback in 2011, only to say goodbye again a year later. We’re talking about a sleek 2+2 roadster equipped with a monster 5.9-liter AM11 V12 engine, pushing out 490 horses.
But here’s the kicker: the Virage had a brief stint in the U.S. from 1990 to 1993. Why such a short visit? Well, it couldn’t quite play by the rules – missing out on passenger airbags and failing to meet the emission standards. It’s a shame, really.
Porsche Carrera 964 RS
The Porsche Carrera 964 RS emerged around two decades after the iconic 911 RS. This model featured an upgraded engine capable of delivering 252 horsepower. Thanks to its ultra-lightweight construction and the removal of almost all non-essential features, the 964 RS boasted an impressive power-to-weight ratio, making it an absolute powerhouse on the road.
While there was a U.S. variant, the 911 RS America (964), produced in 1993 and 1994, it was based on the Carrera 2 and didn’t quite capture the power of the original 964 RS.
Noble M600
Next up is the Noble M600. The heart of the M600 is a 4439 cc V8, snagged from a Volvo, but don’t let that fool you. This beast is turbocharged with twin Garretts, letting drivers toggle between a hefty 450 and an insane 650 horsepower. Zero to sixty? Try 3 seconds flat. Quarter-mile? Just over 10 seconds.
But here’s where the plot thickens: despite its blistering performance, you won’t find the M600 cruising the U.S. highways. Why? Safety concerns have it benched, alongside a sticker price that’s north of most people’s home mortgages, sitting pretty at about $200,000.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition
The Tommi Makinen Edition Lancer Evo is a tribute to rally legend Tommi Mäkinen. Offered in R.S. and GSR trims, it’s a rally beast with some pretty serious mods.
The R.S. gets down to business with a shorter shift ratio, rear diff lock, and optional Brembo brakes. The GSR steps it up with tech like Active Yaw Control, ABS, and race-ready bucket seats. Both pack a turbocharged, 276-horsepower, 2-liter engine for blistering performance. Sadly, it never made its way to American shores, leaving us dreaming of what could have been.
Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender traces its roots back to the original Land Rover series unveiled in 1948. Fast forward to the ’90s, and you’ve got the Defender rocking a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine, first with the 200TDi pushing out 107 horsepower, later upgraded to the 300TDi for a bit more oomph.
The 1993 Defender 110 finds itself on the NHTSA’s no-fly list, banned from American roads due to missing key safety features like airbags.
Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
With the fourth-generation Polo, V.W. introduced the BlueMotion variant, pushing the envelope on environmental friendliness. The BlueMotion badge is V.W.’s way of highlighting models that take extra steps toward sustainability, and the Polo is no exception.
This eco-friendly hatchback received a significant overhaul to cut down on emissions and fuel consumption. The standard 1.4-liter engine was tweaked for efficiency, featuring longer gear ratios. Aerodynamics were improved, low rolling resistance tires were fitted, and heavy alloys were swapped out for lighter materials. These changes propelled the Polo BlueMotion to a whopping 70 mpg!
Toyota Sera
The Toyota Sera is a standout model from Toyota. This 3-door, 2+2 hatchback turns heads with its glass roof canopy and butterfly doors, features that you’d usually expect on a high-end supercar rather than a compact Toyota.
Mechanically, the Sera might not break any records with its 1.5-liter in-line-4 engine. However, Toyota packed the Sera with features like an advanced surround sound system, elevating the driving experience beyond just getting from A to B.
Wiesmann GT MF5
Wiesmann, known for rolling out custom, hand-built rides, decided to drop a mic with the GT MF5 in 2009. They planned to make 55 of these, but reality hit, and only 43 made it off the line. What’s under the hood? A V10 BMW S85 engine cranking out 547 horsepower, all tuned for tearing up the track.
Now, for the sad news: the GT MF5 couldn’t clear the U.S. safety tests. And even if it could, finding one would be like trying to snag a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory.
Lotus 340R
In 2000, Lotus came up with the 340R. It has a 4-cylinder Rover K-Series engine, the VHPD – Very High Power Derivative, kicking out 175 horsepower. What makes the 340R impressive is how its lightweight build and spot-on weight distribution let it go from 0-60 mph in a whopping 4.4 seconds. That’s pretty quick, especially for its engine size.
The reason you won’t see it on American streets boils down to safety standards. Its compact design doesn’t cut it with U.S. safety regulations. While it’s technically street-legal in the U.K., you’ll probably spot the 340R tearing up the track instead.
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux stands out as a pickup that’s built tough and ready for anything. It mirrors the style of the SR5 but sets itself apart with a variety of diesel engines. These range from 2.0 to 4.0 liters, with power outputs stretching from 139 to 235 horsepower. The Hilux has a solid reputation for being durable, reliable, and always up for hard work. Plus, it offers an optional 4WD, making it a beast off the road.
Despite the availability of similar trucks in Toyota’s lineup for the American market, the absence of the Hilux is a bit of a letdown. It’s not that it’s banned; the real hurdle is a hefty 25 percent tax imposed by the American government on imported lightweight trucks like the Hilux, making it a wallet-clenching choice for consumers.
Nissan Patrol
The Nissan Patrol takes its cues from the Pathfinder but feels more like a sibling to the Armada. The most loved iteration is the fifth-gen, the Y61, rolling out from 1997 to 2013. It came in various trims, offering engines from a 2.8-liter to a hefty 4.5-liter. Through the 2000s, the Patrol saw numerous updates in looks and mechanics before discontinuing in many markets by 2014. Despite this, it continued production in select countries, including South Africa and the Middle East.
In the U.S., however, the Patrol is a no-show. Its safety features don’t match U.S. standards, and it likely falls short on emissions.
Volkswagen XL1
This plug-in diesel hybrid is the culmination of V.W.’s work on 1.0-liter cars, giving an insane fuel efficiency of 260 mpg thanks to its 47-horsepower two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
With production kicking off in 2013 and capped at just 250 units, the XL1 is a rare bird. These cars went to those who put their money down early, making it a collector’s item right out of the gate. Even if you wanted to bring one into the U.S., you’d hit a wall, not just because of import regulations but also due to its sheer scarcity.
Bentley Azure Mark II
The Bentley Azure Mark II, launched in 2006 after Volkswagen took over Bentley, featured a significant update from its first generation. This version came with a turbocharged V8 engine capable of producing 450 horsepower, combining high-end luxury with considerable power. Aimed at the upper echelon of the market, the car was often associated with the luxury of having a chauffeur. However, its availability was restricted to regions like Russia, Europe, and the Middle East due to its inclusion on the NHTSA’s nonconforming vehicle list, limiting its presence in the United States.
Porsche Carrera 911 RS
Fabien Photos-Passion-Automobiles/Flickr.
The Porsche Carrera 911 RS is another model that didn’t reach North American shores, much to the disappointment of regional speed lovers. Particularly, the 1973 and 1974 versions, equipped with a 210-horsepower, 2.7-liter engine, were designed to outperform many competitors thanks to their lightweight construction. However, this high-performance vehicle was not permitted on U.S. roads due to emission standards and safety regulations.
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III
The 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III only had 600 units ever hit the production line. This car was BMW’s answer to Audi’s V8, packing a 2.5 L engine in its arsenal. When BMW decided to push the M3 series, they swapped out the E30’s lengthy 6-cylinder engine for a more compact 4-cylinder. This move cranked out a solid 200 bhp in its standard form, with the competition-spec version revving up to 300 bhp at a screaming 8,000 rpm.
Despite its muscle and racing pedigree, the M3 Sport Evolution III found itself on the NHTSA’s no-fly list, banned in the USA under the Show and Display regulations. However, the tale has a twist – this ban was supposed to be lifted after 2015.
1993 Jaguar XJ220-S
The 1993 Jaguar XJ220-S is ever more rare, with just six units rolling out of production. Despite its scarcity, the NHTSA decided it wasn’t fit for U.S. streets.
This model took the already fierce XJ220, stripped it down for a more raw experience, and dialed up the power. Out went the hidden headlights and luxurious leather trims of the base model, and in came a tuned engine ready to unleash a staggering 690 horsepower. Designed to blur the lines between a track monster and a road car, the XJ220-S was Jaguar’s attempt at making a race-ready car you could technically take to the grocery store… If you dared.
1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo
The 1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo is what happens when you take an already wild Lamborghini Diablo and decide it’s not quite wild enough. Vittorio Strosek looked at the Diablo and thought it could use a bit more… personality. His modifications cranked up the visual volume: rounder bumpers front and back, a new set of headlights and turn signals, and side mirrors that sat way up high on the doors like they were trying to get a better view over the crowd.
Even without these mods, the Diablo’s top speed north of 200 mph was enough to make it a bit of a legal headache. Add Strosek’s touch to the mix, and the United States basically said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” So, the Strosek Diablo ended up on the list of cars you’re not likely to see on American roads.
2002 Morgan Le Mans ’62 Prototype
In 2002, Morgan rolled out something special for classic car lovers: a limited run of 80 cars to celebrate the 1962 Le Mans, plus one extra special prototype, the “00” car. Each of these cars has a unique touch, with its number stamped right on the steering wheel and a plaque in the console to mark its place in this exclusive lineup. The catch? They sold out faster than hot concert tickets – all sold within just 72 hours.
But here’s the kicker: even though they look like they could roll right onto the track at Le Mans, these cars are strictly off-limits on U.S. streets. The reason? Since they were only prototypes, the “00” car and its limited edition siblings were destined for collectors’ garages, not the open road.
1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-spec
The 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-spec was packed with cutting-edge tech for its time, including a dashboard display for engine stats and G-forces. There was even a jack under the driver’s seat for data analysis via laptop.
Despite its popularity and techy features, the R34 GT-R hit a wall in the U.S. due to the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988, failing to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This legislation puts the Skyline and other high-demand models like the Nissan S15 on the no-import list.
Fiat 126P
The Fiat 126P rolled out nearly 5 million units from 1972 to 2000. This car was everywhere in Europe, particularly in Italy and Poland, serving as the go-to ride for families needing to get around town without breaking the bank. Its engine was tiny, tucked away in the back, delivering just enough oomph to get you from point A to B, somewhere between the power of a lawn tractor and a motorcycle.
Between Cold War politics and an engine that would never pass U.S. emissions tests, the 126P never hit American roads.
Mazda Cosmo
The Mazda Cosmo kicked off in 1967 as Mazda’s showcase for its rotary tech, setting the stage for future icons like the RX-7 and RX-8. The Cosmo was luxury and power combined, especially the Eunos Cosmo from 1990 to 1996, which had a 300 horsepower 3-rotor engine with twin turbochargers.
This car was sold only in Japan and had a hefty price tag. Only recently has it become available in the U.S.
Rover Mini
The Rover Mini was launched in 1959. With a 35 horsepower 1,200cc engine and a surprisingly roomy interior for its size, it became an instant hit. Its clever engine-transmission design even inspired the likes of Lamborghini later on.
In the U.S., the Mini sold from 1960 to 1967, capturing the hearts of weekend racers, though its small size wasn’t ideal for American highways. Production continued under various owners, including Rover and later BMW, until 2000, when BMW announced a modern successor. Not initially certified for American roads, the original Minis have become collectibles, especially as they hit the 25-year mark, allowing them to be imported legally.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
Alfa Romeo has been in the game since the early 1900s, but it has had a rocky relationship with the North American market. Its forte is crafting cars that thrive in Europe’s tight, ancient city streets, not exactly what the U.S. typically goes for. After bowing out in 1995, Alfa Romeo made a comeback in 2008 with the 8C Competizione, a supercar by any standard. Still, he only dropped about 100 of these into the American market.
For a while, the U.S. only got the coupe because the convertible version didn’t meet safety standards, or so said the NHTSA. Then, in a twist, 2016 brought a change of heart from the NHTSA, declaring the 8C Spider was okay for import. This flip-flop cut down the wait for these cars from the usual 25 years, making them a rare sight on U.S. roads way sooner.
