Off-road legends: The cars and SUVs that never made it to the US market

America has long stood proud as the land of 4x4s, but many of our best-selling off-roaders would struggle in the European market due to size constraints. Picture trying to park a Ford Bronco Raptor in a town built by the Romans or calculating the cost of filling up a Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 at $8 per gallon of gas. Historically, most 4x4s sold in Europe have been tailored to the local market.

Here are five cool European-market off-roaders that have never quite fit in with the Jeep crew in Moab.

Dacia Duster

The original Dacia Duster released in 2010 could be considered the NA-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata of Europe’s off-roader segment. It brought modernity to its segment, offering a daily-drivable alternative to the ancient Lada Niva while maintaining off-road capacity. Built on a unibody platform with a compact design, the Duster appeals to rural residents, adventure seekers, and first responders.

Although not equipped with advanced off-road features, models with optional four-wheel-drive systems offer practicality and a manual transmission with ultra-low first gear. The successor to the original Duster retains its focus on off-roading and has gained popularity with enhanced features and a more refined interior.