7 Favorite Cars Not Sold in the USA | Doug DeMuro

European Sports Car: Alpine A110

• 💡 The Alpine A110 is a modern interpretation of a classic 1960s/70s sports car, praised for its retro-modern design and lightweight construction.
• 🧠 It's a mid-engine sports car, weighing around 2,500 lbs and measuring just 165 inches long, offering a nimble and fun driving experience reminiscent of the old Toyota MR2.
• ⚠️ Despite its appeal, it's only offered with a dual-clutch automatic transmission and is not available in the United States.

Performance Wagon: BMW M3 Touring

• 🚀 The BMW M3 Touring is a highly anticipated performance wagon that BMW inexplicably does not sell in the US, despite its availability in Europe.
• 📈 This decision is seen as a mistake, especially with the success of performance wagons like the Audi RS6 and the BMW M5 Touring in the US market.
• 🔑 The author laments that if BMW eventually brings an M3 Touring to the US, it will likely be a plug-in hybrid, missing the opportunity for a manual transmission.

Body-on-Frame SUV: Ford Everest

• 🗺️ The Ford Everest is a globally sold, body-on-frame SUV based on the Ford Ranger pickup truck, which is notably absent from the US market.
• ❓ It's a curious omission given the popularity of the Toyota 4Runner, a similar body-on-frame SUV based on the Tacoma.
• ⛰️ A Raptor version of the Everest exists, suggesting a strong potential competitor to the 4Runner and an alternative for those seeking a more traditional SUV experience than the Bronco offers.

Futuristic Minivan: Hyundai Staria

• ✨ The Hyundai Staria is a uniquely designed minivan with a futuristic, sloping front end and light bar, making it one of the coolest-looking vans ever.
• 🏕️ Features include seats that fold into a bed for camping, available all-wheel drive, and a variety of powertrain options.
• 🚧 Its absence from the US market is attributed to the "chicken tax" on imported vans and a general lack of consumer interest in minivans, despite its quirky appeal.

Compact Pickup Truck: Ram 700

• 💡 Inspired by the success of the Ford Maverick, the Ram 700 (also sold as the Fiat Strada) is a small, car-based pickup truck popular in Latin America.
• 🛠️ While optimized for affordability in its target markets, its concept as a practical, fuel-efficient, city-friendly pickup is appealing.
• 📈 The author suggests Ram should consider developing a version of the Ram 700 as a direct competitor to the Ford Maverick for the US market.

Performance Wagon: Subaru Levorg

• 랠리 Subaru Levorg is a performance wagon based on the WRX, which Subaru has not offered in the US for over 15 years.
• 😔 It's a disappointment that Subaru offers this practical and good-looking performance wagon globally but not in the United States, especially given the popularity of performance wagons.
• 🚗 While the author enjoys the current WRX sedan, they believe a WRX wagon variant would be a highly desirable addition to the US market.

Homologation Special: Toyota GR Yaris

• 🏆 The Toyota GR Yaris is a high-performance, rally homologation special that is incredibly fun, tossable, and engaging to drive.
• 💨 Although the GR Corolla is available in the US, it's not as quick or nimble as the GR Yaris, which was specifically designed for rally racing.
• ⏳ The author expresses sadness that the GR Yaris is not sold in the US, meaning Americans will have to wait decades for a chance to own one legally due to import laws.