That time Toyota built its own Humvee

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), better known as the Humvee, is a modern icon of the U.S. military. Like the Jeep that came before it, the Humvee excels a troop transport, MEDEVAC, and can even serve as a platform for machine guns and missiles. So, when the Japan Self-Defense Forces solicited Toyota for a military utility vehicle, the auto giant took inspiration from the venerable Humvee.

*The Mega Cruiser was heavily influenced by the Humvee (JGSDF)*

Introduced in 1995, the Toyota Mega Cruiser is a heavy-duty four wheel drive vehicle that bears a striking resemblance to the Humvee. Measuring 200.4 in. long, 85.5 in. wide, 81.7 in. tall, and with a wheelbase of 133.7 in., the Mega Cruiser’s dimensions are extremely close to the Humvee’s. Its 4.1L, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission and is rated at 153 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. To improve its mobility, the Mega Cruiser was also fitted with four wheel steering.

A military vehicle with an open back is parked on dry grass. Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms are handling wooden crates in the back of the vehicle, which is towing a large artillery mortar. Another soldier is walking away from the vehicle carrying a rifle. The scene appears to be a field operation or training exercise. — *A mortar crew unloads ammo from their Mega Cruiser (JGSDF)*

The original military version of the Mega Cruiser was designated the BXD10. Like the Humvee, it is used extensively to carry troops and equipment and is often used to tow heavy mortars. The BXD10 is also versatile and can be configured with an air defense radar or even missile launchers. Also like the Humvee, a civilian version of the Mega Cruiser was brought to market and designated the BXD20.

Military vehicle with a camouflage paint job, equipped with a mounted missile launcher system on its flatbed. The vehicle has four large tires, two doors, and multiple antennas on the front and roof. It is parked on a grassy field with trees and a fence in the background. — *A Mega Cruiser equipped with a Type 93 surface-to-air missile launcher (JGSDF)*

The civilian Mega Cruiser was only sold at special Toyota Store locations in Japan. Because of the vehicle’s size, civilian customers incurred heavy taxes upon the purchase of a BXD20 as well as annual road taxes. These taxes, combined with the lack of practicality of such a large vehicle on Japan’s narrow streets, led to poor civilian sales of the Mega Cruiser. Only 133 MXD20s were sold to civilians during the vehicle’s production run from 1995 to 2001. However, Toyota did find customers outside of the JSDF in the form of the Japan Automotive Federation, prefectural police and fire/rescue departments. As of 2020, an estimated 3,000 Mega Cruisers were produced before production halted.

Feature Image: Toyota