Toyota once built a 90s Japanese civilian version of AM General’s Hummer
In 2020, Toyota’s civilian-market, military-grade answer to America’s Hummer finally became legal to import. The High Mobility Vehicle, or Mega Cruiser, was originally built for the Japan Self-Defense Forces. For a narrow timeline – 1996 to 2001 – Toyota released a civilian variant. Since 2020, we’ve seen a smattering of examples hit the auction block stateside.
In the early 90s, Toyota submitted the HMV concept as a military project labeled BXD10. However, the company seemed to have a civilian variant in its back pocket from the jump. The company even suggested this at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show by comparing it to the already available AM General/GM Hummer. (In 1999, GM acquired the Hummer brand.) By the civilian Mega Cruiser BXD20’s release in 1996, insiders noted its close similarity to the HMV’s 1993 concept.
Toyota Mega Cruiser HMV BXD20 specs (1996-2001)
| Spec | Toyota Mega Cruiser HMV BXD20 |
| Engine | 4.1L inline four-cylinder turbo diesel |
| Transmission | Four-speed automatic, FT 4WD |
| Output | 153 hp |
| Torque | 280 lbs-ft |
| Top speed | 81 mph |
| Fuel economy | 13 mpg |
| Fuel capacity | 28.5 gal |
| Length | 200.4 inches |
| Width | 85.4 inches |
| Height | 81.7 inches |
| Wheelbase | 133.7 inches |
| Ground clearance | 16.5 inches |
| GVW | 8,445 lbs |
| Seating capacity | 6 |
| Steering | Four-wheel |
| Wheel size | 17 inches |
| Tire size | 37 inches |
| Transfer case | Dual-range |
| Differentials | Three locking |
| Axles | Portal |
Only about 130 BXD20 Mega Cruisers were built between 1996 and 2001. Since the HMV was specifically designed for Japanese operators, it’s believed that fewer than 20 left-hand drive variants exist.
The one pictured in the featured image above sold for over $167,000 in January 2024. It’s a right-handed BXD20, and despite being repaired and repainted from a rusted-out green to white, among other modifications, clearly, demand was there.
However, three others on Bring a Trailer haven’t fared quite as well. Another BXD20, this one left-handed, hit $144K. Two ragged-topped BXD10s have “only” bid to $44K in one listing and $85K for the other. Value-wise, the military Mega Cruiser versions are much more in line with Hummers of that era. None of these three models listed on BAT are marked “Sold.”
