Is the grass all the time greener on the opposite facet of the fence? Perhaps not, however there’s an entire world of super-rad vehicles on the market that had been by no means supplied within the U.S. however actually ought to have been bought right here.
Fortunately, that’s the place the 25-year rule–formally often known as the Imported Automobile Security Compliance Act of 1988–is available in and makes all the things proper once more.
And now that 2026 is basically right here (and I’ve lastly stopped writing 2025 on my work paperwork), vehicles from 2001 are actually capable of be introduced stateside with out instantly being crushed by the Feds.
Which vehicles from 2001 to import? I’m glad you requested. Listed below are my prime 5 picks.
First-generation Honda Match
{Photograph} courtesy Honda
A four-wheel-drive Honda Match? Japan acquired one earlier than the Match even arrived stateside.
Making its debut in its dwelling market in the summertime of 2001 (Honda wouldn’t launch the Match within the U.S. till the mid-2000s), the Match was solely accessible with one selection of engine and transmission at launch: an L13A 1.3-liter inline-four mated to a CVT.
After all, not like the U.S.-market Match, the JDM mannequin was accessible in four-wheel drive along with front-wheel drive.
Handbook transmission? The JDM Match acquired that beginning in 2004–so make sure you mark that one in your 2029 calendar.
Skoda Excellent
{Photograph} courtesy Skoda
A German automobile constructed for the Chinese language market however rebadged and bought by a Czech automobile firm? That’s just about the backstory for the first-gen Skoda Excellent.
In 2001, Skoda revived the Excellent, a reputation relationship again to the Nineteen Thirties, with a long-wheelbase model of the B5-chassis VW Passat initially constructed for China.
At launch, the Excellent was supplied with three gasoline engines (1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four, 2.0-liter inline-four and a couple of.8-liter V6) and two diesel engines (1.9-liter turbodiesel inline-four and a couple of.5-liter turbodiesel V6).
And, relying on the engine, transmission selections embody a five- or six-speed guide in addition to a five-speed automated.
Honda Integra Sort R
{Photograph} courtesy Honda
Typically imitated however by no means duplicated? Honda’s iconic Sort R fashions–and the fourth-gen Integra isn’t any totally different.
Positive, we technically acquired it because the Acura RSX, and yeah, you can modify one to JDM Sort R specs, however why not save your self the trouble and simply begin with the actual factor within the first place?
Likewise, whereas the spiciest RSX we acquired at launch, the Sort S, made do with the 160-horsepower K20A3, the Japanese-market Sort R obtained the extra highly effective, 217-horsepower K20A.
Renault Clio V6
{Photograph} courtesy Renault
A mid-engine sizzling hatch. That’s it, that’s the explanation why you should purchase a Clio V6.
Initially made as a race automobile for the Clio V6 Trophy one-make race, the road-going model was launched in 2001. Whereas two “Phases” would eventual be supplied, we’ll deal with the primary one, accessible between 2001 and 2003, since that’s the one which’s authorized to import.
The Section 1 mannequin is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 additionally utilized in a number of different PSA Group choices, together with the Citroën C5, Peugeot 406 and Renault Avantime. Within the mid-engine Clio, the powerplant produced over 220 horsepower–all of which was despatched to the rear wheels by way of a six-speed guide.
Somewhat over 1600 examples had been produced, so monitoring one down is perhaps slightly tough–however maybe not fairly as difficult because the final automobile on this record.
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi
{Photograph} courtesy Volkswagen
No, not the Golf R32, I’m speaking concerning the different early 2000s, two-door, all-wheel-drive VW powered by a VR6 engine: the Beetle RSi.
Whereas the “customary” New Beetle went slightly heavy on the cutesiness, the RSi just about did the alternative.
Not solely is the RSi extra highly effective than the New Beetle (221 horsepower versus 115 horsepower for the gas-powered mannequin or 100 horsepower for the TDI), nevertheless it additionally incorporates a wider stance, a rear wing, OZ Superturismo wheels, Recaro bucket seats and loads of carbon-fiber trim.
That mentioned, the actual enjoyable can be to shock unsuspecting onlookers when the lovable little Beetle subsequent to them launches from the stoplight in a thundering, VR6-fueled fury–assuming they don’t discover the broad fenders and big rear spoiler.
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