Answer
Many imported cars in Uruguay do cost more than in the region’s larger markets, but the claim that they are “twice as expensive” does not apply to all models. Prices are affected by the country of origin, duties, taxes, trim level, market size, and the exchange rate. Vehicles from Mercosur countries and those from other manufacturers are compared differently.
Compare vehicles with the same model year, engine, mileage, and trim level. A low advertised price in a neighboring country does not include legal importation, registration, or a possible loss of warranty. Self-importing is also not always available to a private buyer on favorable terms.
When budgeting, compare local listings and official dealers, then add patente, insurance, paperwork, and maintenance. Sometimes a more expensive local purchase is more sensible because of the documentation, spare parts, and resale opportunities.