ut no matter what, there are some European cars we wish came to North America but probably never will.
We have some amazing cars in North America. We have vehicles from the top car makers in the industry and we have some truly spectacular specialty cars that would astound even the most discriminating driver. You can drive an Aston Martin. You can own a Ferrari. With a little work, you can even track down a Tesla or Fisker. But no matter what, there are some European cars we wish came to North America but probably never will.
Oh, there are reasons they don’t come this side of the pond. You might hear that a car won’t meet crash standards in the US. The carmaker may not think a particular model will sell well enough, and may never develop it into a left-hand-drive vehicle. Or, it may have to do with politics and taxes and all that stuff that irks us.
Whatever the case, we simply won’t see some truly beautiful and unique cars in North America. Check out these European cars, then weigh in on the discussion.
Alfa Romeo MiTo
In the US, we can get the higher-end Alfa Romeo cars like the Giulia, 4C, and 4C Spyder. What we don’t have is an affordable Alfa in the lineup, and the MiTo would fill that role nicely.
It’s a subcompact car that, admittedly, looks and feels like it belongs in the UK, but there’s a place for it in the Americas as well. It’s only 78 horsepower with the base engine, or you can choose the 105-hp Twinair gas engine or the 120-hp diesel. What’s more impressive is the interior fit and finish, and the high-quality materials and features on even the base model. You can upgrade to leather, fit bronze alloy wheels, or opt for a Bose sound system or sunroof. It’s a car high-end commuters could get used to…
BMW 1-series 3-Door
For a short time, BMW tried their 1-series in North America. Now, you’ll have to head overseas if you want to find this spunky little number. The 1-series 3-door hatch could make a splash in the US.
It’s a hot hatch if you’ve ever seen one, although the shape is slightly phallic. You can get the 1-series in a few different packages, from the base-model 116 ED plus right up through the class-leading M135i. No matter which one you choose, it’s peppy enough to make you smile. The M135i, in particular, has a 3-liter twin-turbo that might get you a little…ahem…excited.
We won’t see this one in the US, though. Apparently Americans just aren’t fond of the 1-series much.
