A 1996 Toyota Mega Cruiser, one of the rarest SUVs ever produced by Toyota, has surfaced for sale in the United States after spending three years on American soil. The massive off-roader, now listed on Cars & Bids, was originally designed as Japan’s answer to the Humvee and Hummer, and its imposing design continues to stand out decades after its debut.
The Mega Cruiser was never officially sold outside Japan, leaving overseas enthusiasts dependent on limited imports. Even among those imports, few examples carry the presence of this 1996 model, which remains one of only 133 units ever built. Its size alone sets it apart: the SUV stretches 200.4 inches in length, spans 85.4 inches in width, and towers at 81.7 inches in height. The dimensions justify its name and explain why it drew early interest from emergency and rescue services before private buyers began adopting it.
When the Mega Cruiser first reached the Japanese market, it carried a price tag just above $98,000—a significant figure in the 1990s. Toyota equipped it with four-wheel drive and a 4.1-liter inline-four turbodiesel engine rated at 153 horsepower, giving the giant vehicle more agility than its proportions suggest. The SUV also remains the largest passenger vehicle Toyota has ever produced, matching the scale of the iconic Humvee and Hummer H1.
This U.S.-based example arrived from Japan only three years ago. The current seller notes that lack of space prompted the decision to list it. The vehicle appears largely untouched from its original configuration, retaining its white exterior and gray interior, with tinted windows being the only modification reported. As a Japan-spec model, it is right-hand drive.
At the time of the listing, bidding stood at $70,807 with five days remaining, underscoring continued interest in one of Toyota’s most distinctive and seldom-seen creations.
