Toyota has finally decided to enter the compact truck game, and frankly, it’s only about five years too late. The Japanese giant is officially developing a small pickup that’ll slot below the Tacoma and directly challenge the hugely successful Ford Maverick.
Cooper Ericksen from Toyota North America recently confirmed it’s not a matter of if but when this thing arrives properly. The timing has been the main challenge as Toyota prioritized advancing its hybrid and electric vehicle technology over small trucks.
This mysterious compact hauler won’t arrive until at least 2027, but the wait might actually be worth it, surprisingly.
What Will Toyota Call This Thing Anyway
Toyota hasn’t announced a name for its upcoming compact pickup, but several genuinely intriguing possibilities are currently circulating. One option is the Hilux, a globally recognized nameplate that has never been used in American markets before.
However, given its association with rugged mid-size trucks, it’s unlikely that Toyota will repurpose the nameplate for something smaller. Another possible candidate is Stout, which Toyota trademarked in Argentina back in 2022, sparking considerable speculation about its return.
Initially introduced in 1954 on a light-duty truck, the Stout name carries proper historical weight for revival.
Platform Secrets That Could Make or Break This Toyota Truck
Toyota’s upcoming compact pickup will feature unibody construction and ride on a TNGA platform, though which one remains unclear. Early rumors suggested a Corolla-based truck utilizing the TNGA C platform, which also underpins the Corolla Cross.
But that setup might be too small for the demands of a proper pickup truck with decent capability. A more likely candidate is the TNGA K platform, shared with larger models like the Camry and RAV4, which is sensible.
That architecture offers greater capability, which would better suit a pickup’s needs, particularly when it comes to towing. For reference, the RAV4 can tow up to 3500 pounds, whereas the C-HR is limited to 1233 pounds.
What We Think Is Going To Happen
There’s little doubt that Toyota’s new compact truck will be hybrid-only offered in both FWD and AWD configurations. It will likely borrow its powertrain options from the RAV4, which is going all hybrid for 2026 completely.
Toyota’s 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid currently delivers 226 or 236 hp in the RAV,4 depending on drivetrain choice. There’s also a plug-in hybrid from the RAV4 Prime that produces a genuinely impressive 320 hp overall. If Toyota decides to offer that powertrain in the new truck, it would instantly become the most powerful pickup.
Pricing That Makes Sense for Once
To compete with the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota’s new compact truck will likely start around $30,000. The Maverick starts slightly below that, while the Santa Cruz comes in just above that figure, which creates opportunity.
The new model will need to undercut the Tacoma, which starts at $33,085 for the basic SR trim. That pricing gap leaves plenty of room for a smaller, more affordable offering that people actually want. We expect Toyota’s compact truck to top out around 45,000 dollars in fully loaded form, which seems reasonable.
What are your views on this upcoming Toyota baby truck? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading till the end. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.