When considering a five-seat SUV, the Hilux Surf must be high on the list! It touts Toyota build quality, plenty of safety features, and packs a wallop with its powerful turbodiesel. This 1996 performs just as well on-road as it does off-road and is the highest level trim package, the SSR-G. Finished in Stellar Blue (8L7) with a one-off Pewter contrasting two-tone, the paint is in good nick aside from some light scratches, chips, and dings associated with normal use. Recently serviced, this rig boasts a mere 107k verified and documented miles, and is barely broken in. Sporting a set of aggressive Weds Keeler alloys, OEM rainguards, and OEM rear spoiler, this truck looks as good as it goes. Tough, reliable, and too practical to pass up, this fine SUV is a certified Japanese Classic.

The Surf boasts a spacious, nicely optioned, and ergonomic interior. Although there is some light wear, it was cared for in a prior life and feels modern compared to other JDM trucks of this era. The seats are in good shape although the rear seat does have a small tear and discoloration while the front driver's seat shows some slight stains. Comfortable for long road trips or the occasional weekend getaway, there is plenty of head and shoulder room, and a sizable cargo area can be found out back. The dash is in good nick lacking any major holes, bubbles, or lifting near the windshield, which is a common thing. Woodgrain trim around the center of the dash, the shifter, and door cards adding a bit of flair to the interior. Dual SRS airbags are readily available for both front passenger and driver, in case of any accidents. This Hilux has quite an amount of power amenities available. Power windows, power locks, and power-folding mirrors are all standard and make daily use enjoyable. The driver even benefits from an adjustable steering column and manually adjustable lumbar support. The Carrozzerria head unit is functioning correctly and has Bluetooth and auxiliary options available to play your tunes. The audio is decent but a change of speakers might make things clearer. This trim level even has the power under mirror in the rear spoiler which unfurls for those moments where you need to reverse into a spot or parallel park. The window in the very back also rolls down with the push of a button allowing you to have ample air flowing throughout the cabin when all windows are down. The second row can be stowed to allow for more storage capacity if needed. The headliner, lacking in any tears or sagging in any area does show to have some discoloration as well but overall is in decent condition.

Much of the running gear is shared with US 4Runners so the Surf offers an ease of ownership that many models fall short of. The heart of this beast is the powerful and efficient 1KZ-TE turbodiesel. The 3.0L motor is fresh off an oil and filter service and starts up quickly thanks to 2 new 12v batteries installed in our shop. A new engine air filter was also added to promote top-tier MPG. Paired with an automatic transmission the Hilux cruises confidently at highway speeds and is torquey around the city. Normally in 2WD for daily use, the Hilux does come equipped with a selective 4WD system for those unfavorable weather conditions you may encounter. For the off-road enthusiast, the center locker on this KZN185 engages easily, although the lights do not function showing its engagement. The front sway bar bushings were replaced by our technicians allowing the OEM suspension to maintain a smooth ride. Five new 31" Falken Rubitrek A/T tires have been mounted at all four corners and match this truck's mean aesthetic. The front and rear differentials as well as the transfer case have been flushed and the transfer case output seal was also replaced for good measure. It happens to stop just as good as it accelerates thanks to a new set of front brake pads that were installed by one of our trained techs. Turnkey and ready to roll, this trusty JDM SUV is efficiently affordable, and a Japanese Classic.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant 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.