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【Summary】Toyota is considering building a small pickup to compete with the Ford Maverick. Toyota dealers have been requesting a compact pickup, and a hybrid powertrain could help improve fuel economy. The new truck may be based on the Corolla and could be called the Stout. While it hasn't been approved yet, the earliest possible arrival would be in 2027. The price is unknown but could be similar to the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which starts at around $27,000.

FutureCar Staff Sep 23, 2023 6:18 AM PT

Compact trucks have long been associated with Toyota's reputation for quality, durability, and reliability. However, Toyota has been absent from the small pickup market for quite some time. The classic Toyota pickup eventually evolved into the Tacoma, a mid-size truck introduced in 2005. Nevertheless, Toyota executives have not dismissed the idea of creating a competitor for the Ford Maverick that would fit below the Tacoma.

Toyota dealers have been expressing their desire for a compact pickup, as reported by Automotive News. Introducing such a vehicle, which would likely feature a hybrid powertrain, could contribute to improving the overall fuel economy of Toyota's fleet. One possibility is that Toyota could use the Corolla Cross as the foundation for its new compact pickup. Executives have stated that it would be more logical to utilize the TNGA unibody platform for an urban-focused small truck, potentially adopting an "SUV with a bed" format. If approved and built alongside the Corolla in Mississippi, the new compact pickup would almost certainly offer a hybrid option, aligning with Toyota's goal of having all vehicles equipped with a hybrid powertrain by 2025.

Car and Driver speculates that the pickup could share components and a hybrid powertrain with the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which boasts 196 horsepower and an estimated 42 mpg. These figures would position the Toyota compact truck on par with the Ford Maverick. As for the name of Toyota's small pickup, there has been speculation that it could be called the Stout, although this is not confirmed. Toyota has filed to register the name in Argentina, but it is important to note that trademarking a name does not guarantee its use. Toyota may ultimately decide to choose a different name for the American market.

While the Ford Maverick competitor is currently under discussion, it has not yet been approved, according to Automotive News. The earliest possible arrival for the Toyota small pickup would be 2027. As for pricing, Toyota has not provided any official information as the vehicle has not been unveiled. However, it is expected to be priced below the new Toyota Tacoma. If we consider the starting price of the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is slightly above $27,000, it is possible that the small pickup may fall within a similar price range, although this could be subject to change if the truck is released in 2027.

The need for Toyota to have a small pickup that can compete with the Ford Maverick is evident. The Maverick has gained significant popularity, with pre-orders for the 2023 model year selling out in just one week before Ford closed the books. Toyota is particularly concerned because the Maverick has proven to be a formidable conquest vehicle, attracting customers from other brands. In fact, 60% of Maverick buyers are coming from outside of Ford, and the second most traded-in vehicle for a Maverick is the Toyota RAV4.

Toyota USA recently posted a video on its Instagram account featuring a well-preserved Stout small pickup truck. While it is unlikely that Toyota has immediate plans to revive the Previa, the company has previously dropped hints about upcoming products on its social media accounts.