A Texas-Built Full-Size Pickup Is Now On Sale In The Country That Invented The Kei Car

Starting this month, buyers in Japan will be able to slide behind the wheel of a Toyota with a slightly unexpected backstory. Just as anticipated, the company will begin importing U.S.-built models into its home market, kicking things off with the Tundra and Highlander.

Talk of Toyota bringing American-made vehicles to Japan has been circulating since last year, largely viewed as an effort to appease President Trump’s America First agenda. Both the Tundra and Highlander can be sold locally without additional certification hurdles, which helps smooth the rollout. The U.S.-built Camry is also set to join them soon.

Read: Nissan’s Most Luxurious US-Made Crossover Is Coming To Japan

There is, however, one clear compromise baked into all of this. None of these models will be reengineered for right-hand drive. The reasoning is simple enough, the numbers just don’t stack up to justify the cost.

Toyota expects to sell only 80 Tundras and 40 Highlanders per month, equivalent to about 960 trucks and 480 SUVs a year. To put that into perspective, it sold 147,610 Tundras in the U.S. last year, which works out to around 415 per day. Highlander numbers tell a similar story, with 56,208 units moved, or about 159 each day.

As you can tell, this move has nothing to do with market demand and everything to do with keeping one particular American very happy.

What’s On Offer?

Just one version of the pickup will be offered, known as the 1794 Edition. It comes equipped with Toyota’s 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged i-Force V6. While Japan-specific output figures have not been announced, the US version offers 389 hp and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel drive system.

Japan’s Tundra remains every bit as large as its American counterpart, ensuring it will stand out among the Kei cars that dominate local roads. Pricing starts at 12 million yen, or about $75,200 at current exchange rates, which is relatively close to the US starting price of $71,305 for the same 1794 Edition, before a $2,0985 delivery fee and taxes.

Then there’s the Highlander. It will be sold exclusively with Toyota’s 2.5-liter series-parallel four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, producing 247 hp (184 kW) and driving all four wheels. The sole trim, dubbed the Limited ZR Hybrid, comes equipped with three rows of seating, a panoramic glass roof, a JBL audio system, and a head-up display.

Toyota did actually sell the Highlander in Japan between 2000 and 2007, but that model was rebadged as the Kluger. Prices for the new model will start at 8.6 million yen ($53,800), again closely aligned with US pricing, where a comparable Limited Hybrid begins at $52,075 before a $1,495 delivery and handling fee, plus taxes.

Later this year, Honda will start selling the US-built Acura Integra Type S and Honda Passport TrailSport Elite in Japan, following Toyota’s lead. Nissan also plans to export the Tennessee-built Murano to Japan from 2027.