These are the foreign cars you'll be able to import into the US in 2026

If your dream garage includes weird, wonderful foreign cars, you should look forward to the 25-year-old rule making 2026 a good year ahead.

Thanks to this long-standing US regulation, vehicles that were never originally sold in America become legal to import once they turn 25.

Every January, a new batch of once-forbidden machines suddenly becomes fair game.

Best of all, the class of 2001 delivers a lineup that blends performance icons with underrated oddballs.

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Foreign cars can be imported without restriction after 25 years

The 25-year-old rule is quite simple: any vehicle older than 25-years-old may be imported into the US, even if they don’t meet modern US standards.

This opens the door for enthusiasts to import models that were previously off-limits.

As we move deeper into the early 2000s, the list gets more exciting, especially for fans of Japanese and European performance.

Leading the charge is the 2001 Honda Civic Type R (EP3).

This was the second Civic Type R ever made and a pretty significant upgrade over the US-market Civic Si.

With its 200-horsepower K20 engine, six-speed manual, and famously dash-mounted shifter, it’s a front-wheel-drive icon American Honda fans have waited decades to own.

Next up is the 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII, the Evo generation America never got.

Sitting between the legendary Evo VI and the US-bound Evo VIII, the VII introduced a larger chassis, upgraded AWD hardware, and a more refined take on Mitsubishi’s rally-bred formula.

For collectors, it’s a crucial missing link in Evo history.

The 2001 MG ZS represents a different kind of appeal.

Based on a Rover platform, the sportiest ZS 180 variant packed a 2.5-liter V6 and earned genuine praise from British journalists for its handling.

It’s an under-the-radar performance sedan that offers something truly different from typical JDM imports.

Counting down to the New Year

BMW fans get a niche treat with the 2001 BMW 3 Series Compact (E46).

Never sold in the US, this rear-wheel-drive hatchback shares much of its DNA with the beloved E46 sedan, but wraps it in a shorter, quirkier body.

Diesel and manual versions only add to its Euro appeal.

Another Honda entry is the the 2001 Accord Type R, a serious sport sedan featuring a 210-horsepower H22 engine, limited-slip differential, and Recaro seats.

It’s proof that Type R magic wasn’t limited to small hatchbacks.

Finally, there’s the wildcard: the 2001 Lancia Thesis Emblema.

Luxurious, eccentric, and unmistakably Italian, it represents a level of design flair the US market never experienced.

In 2026, these foreign cars stop being forbidden fruit, and start becoming driveway realities.

For import fans, the wait has been worth it.

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