Mexico's Iconic Nissan Tsuru Returns as Hot Wheels Taxi

For over 30 years, the Nissan Tsuru wasn't just a car in Mexico. It was family road trips, taxi rides through bustling streets, and a symbol of reliability that every Mexican knew.

The humble Japanese sedan rolled off assembly lines from 1984 to 2017, becoming Mexico's bestselling vehicle. While the rest of North America got the Sentra, Mexico kept the Tsuru name, and drivers fell hard for its no-frills dependability and wallet-friendly price.

If you've ever visited Mexico, chances are your first taxi was a Tsuru. The compact four-door fit families comfortably while zipping through tight corners and congested lanes, making it the perfect ride for taxistas across the country.

Now, nearly a decade after production stopped, the Tsuru is having a moment again. Hot Wheels just released a limited run of 3,500 miniature versions featuring Mexico City's distinctive pink taxi paint job, and Mexican collectors are losing their minds.

The toy dropped exclusively on Mercado Libre at the end of 2025 for 5,000 pesos. Within days, resellers were asking up to 20,000 pesos, sparking jokes across Mexican social media that you could almost buy a real Tsuru for that price.

Mexican influencers like Marvin Bara posted unboxing videos showcasing the careful design details. The collector's edition comes with special packaging and memorabilia that honor the car's legendary status.

The Ripple Effect

The viral response reveals something deeper than toy collecting. This tiny car represents shared memories across generations of Mexican families who trusted their Tsurus to get them everywhere they needed to go.

Sure, some collectors complained it's a two-door coupe instead of the more common four-door sedan. And yes, Hot Wheels made non-taxi Tsurus before, so some wonder if pink paint justifies the markup.

But the overwhelming reaction has been pure joy. The release brought Mexicans together to celebrate a car that never got flashy headlines but quietly became part of the national identity.

Next time you're on a Mexican road, count how many Tsurus you spot still running strong years after production ended. The little sedan that could keeps proving why it earned Mexico's devotion.