Stock Number: 4860

The old adage that "they don't make 'em like they used to" applies to sports utility vehicles more than any other segment in our opinion. Vehicles like this '93 Hilux Surf have morphed into front-wheel-drive, car-based crossovers. It's sad really, but it turns out that you can still find reasonably priced body-on-frame classics like ours, offered with a mere 52K verified miles. Not only is it exceptionally low miles, especially for a diesel, it's also the highest trim level the SSR-G. It's insane how well built early 90's Toyotas are across the board. Whether you're looking at a primo luxury sedan or an offroad rig you really can't go wrong with Toyota's tried and true dependability. Powered by one of the most capable diesel's Toyota ever built, this 4WD SUV can off-road with the best of them, yet is civil enough for daily use. The Prussian Red Pearl and Gray Two-Tone (25T) was a killer choice as it has just enough punch to really stand out in a crowd. The paint is in great shape for the age of the truck. While there are always going to be some blemishes in the paint and some small clear coat scratches or stone chips you really can't complain. The same goes for the arching bodywork; barring a door ding or two there's really nothing out of the ordinary. While plenty capable offroad it looks like this one likely never spent any time on the trail. The factory brush guard and Bosh fogs hint at the fact this isn't your typical 4Runner. It even has the factory parking pole which is a nice little touch and surprisingly useful when whipping into parking spots.

The simple, yet straight forward cabin is refreshing compared to new vehicles with their dizzying array of screens and buttons. This Hilux has a spacious cabin, with a few surprising power amenities you might not expect from such a capable truck. Power accessories include mirrors, locks, and even a one-touch driver window. All of the basic powered pieces are functioning as they should, and the climate control system is rather straight forward. The real show stopper is the factory Recaro interior. The seats offer more aggressive bolstering to keep you in place plus they add a far more sporty tone to the interior. Normally with more aggressive bolstering, we expect to see some accelerated wear from climbing in and out, but due to how low the mileage is this one still looks nearly new. While we would never call a vehicle perfect, this one is definitely well above average for cars half its age. Being the top trim you also get the large power sunroof and that trademark power back glass. While the weather isn't ideal yet for open-air cruising you'll be ready for it once winter finally breaks. Another particularly rare option is the cruise control which is typically only reserved for the 80 Series Land Cruisers. Another rarely seen convenience is the pop-out cupholders. It's funny how much we take all the little conveniences for granted until they're suddenly missing. While all of these are great for your morning commute you still need to be able to put this guy to work, it is a proper SUV after all. The 50/50 split-folding seats will nearly double the cargo capacity and when you roll down that back glass you can easily fit in some lumber for your weekend Honey-Do list.

The driveline is nearly bulletproof with the 3.0L 1KZ-TE stealing the show. These torquey four-bangers impress everyone with their toughness and reliability. The automatic transmission is linked to a selective transfer case, that can be used in 2WD or 4WD depending on driver preference. Acceleration is impressive for an SUV especially with tires this size thanks to the added torque of the diesel. While the V6 ones offered stateside are plenty fine, they don't hold a candle to the 1KZ at the end of the day. The 3.0L turbodiesel has been revered over the years for its reliability and massive torque profile. The automatic transmission is a fairly simple unit but easily runs through the gears. This Surf can be driven in 2WD most of the time for the best fuel efficiency, but when you need to get out of a bind the 4WD can be engaged with the press of a button mounted on the range selector. Mechanically this one touched down in great shape. We did put 4 new tires on it simply since the original ones were showing their age. We did have to replace the front left axle and a routine oil change, but otherwise, you can tell this one was well cared for. The stock suspension is plenty capable both on and offroad in stock trim. Since the second-gen 4Runner shares the same underpinnings you've got any number under the sun for options if you want to do suspension lift or start tapping into things like steel bumpers or lights to put your own touches on it. The Hilux is a safe bet for those who are looking for a rugged and reliable truck to match their active lifestyles, even if that is just trips to Lowes and Costco. This one may be the nicest one we've seen to date so don't miss out!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.