The Toyota Mega Cruiser: Japan’s Answer to the Hummer

 

If you think the Hummer is the ultimate off-road vehicle, you might be surprised to learn that there is another contender from Japan: the Toyota Mega Cruiser. This massive SUV was introduced by Toyota in 1995 as a military transport vehicle for the Japan Self Defense Forces, but it also had a civilian version that was sold exclusively in Japan

The Mega Cruiser resembles the Hummer in terms of design, but it has some features that make it even more capable and robust. It has a 4.1-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 153 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque, a four-speed automatic transmission with a two-speed transfer case, and a four-wheel drive system with front, center, and rear differential locks

But what sets the Mega Cruiser apart from the Hummer is its four-wheel steering system, which allows it to maneuver in tight spaces and improve its stability at high speeds. It also has a central tire pressure system that can adjust the air pressure of each tire according to the terrain and driving conditions.

The Mega Cruiser has a hardtop roof and can seat up to six people in two rows. It has a load capacity of 600 kg and a curb weight of 2,850 kg. It measures 5,090 mm in length, 2,170 mm in width, and 2,075 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 3,395 mm

The Mega Cruiser was not a commercial success for Toyota, as it faced strict vehicle taxes and narrow streets in Japan. Only 133 units were sold to civilians between 1996 and 2002, when production and sales ended1 Some Mega Cruisers were exported overseas as gray imports, but they are very rare and expensive to find.

The Mega Cruiser was a testbed for Toyota to develop technologies that would later be used in its mass-produced SUVs, such as the Land Cruiser. It was also a showcase of Toyota’s engineering prowess and ambition to create the ultimate off-road vehicle. The Mega Cruiser may not be well-known outside Japan, but it deserves respect and admiration from anyone who loves SUVs