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【Summary】Toyota is considering building a small pickup truck to compete with the Ford Maverick. Toyota dealers have been requesting a compact pickup, and a hybrid powertrain could help improve the fleet's fuel economy. The new small pickup may be based on the Corolla and could be called the Stout. However, it has not been approved yet and is expected to arrive no earlier than 2027. The price is unknown but could be similar to the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

FutureCar Staff Sep 23, 2023 11:26 PM 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 evolved into the Tacoma, which grew into a mid-size truck in 2005. Nevertheless, Toyota executives have not ruled out the possibility of building a competitor for the Ford Maverick that would fit below the Tacoma.

Toyota dealers have been expressing their desire for a small pickup for quite some time. According to an Automotive News report, a Toyota executive acknowledged this demand and suggested that a compact pickup, possibly equipped with a hybrid powertrain, could help improve the fuel economy of Toyota's fleet. One potential candidate for a basis of the new compact pickup is the Corolla.

Toyota executives believe that using the TNGA unibody platform would make more sense for a small truck designed for urban use. They also mentioned that a more SUV-like format with a bed would likely be needed. If approved and built alongside the Corolla in Mississippi, the new compact pickup would likely be based on the Corolla and would almost certainly offer a hybrid option. Toyota aims to have hybrid powertrains available for all its vehicles by 2025. Car and Driver speculates that the pickup could share components and a hybrid powertrain with the Corolla Cross, which boasts 196 horsepower and an estimated 42 mpg, putting it on par with the Maverick.

There has been speculation that Toyota might revive an older pickup name for the new vehicle. One possibility is the Stout, although it should not be confused with VW's Scout brand. Toyota has filed to register the Stout name for use in Argentina, but it's important to note that trademarking a name does not guarantee its use. Toyota could ultimately decide to use a different name for the American market.

While discussions are ongoing, the Ford Maverick competitor has not yet been approved. According to Automotive News, the earliest possible arrival for the Toyota small pickup would be in 2027. As for its price, Toyota has not provided any confirmation or details. However, it is expected to be priced below the eventual pricing of the new Toyota Tacoma. If it arrives in 2027, its price could be similar to that of the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which starts at just above $27,000.

The Ford Maverick has been incredibly popular, with pre-orders for the 2023 model year selling out in about a week. This poses a challenge for Toyota, as the Maverick is attracting customers from other brands. Sixty percent of Maverick buyers are coming from outside 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 likely unrelated to any imminent plans for revival, Toyota has used its social media accounts to drop hints about upcoming products in the past.