Toyota’s new RAV4-based compact truck to tackle the Maverick

Toyota is about to launch a small pickup within the US within the subsequent 12 months or so, to compete with the favored Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Crux. To grasp why Toyota is doing this, let’s contemplate the complexities and realities of the truck market within the US.

The US is big-truck nation, with full-size pickups just like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado dominating. These are huge autos, costly to purchase, and to drive. Toyota has the Tundra on this phase, however the mid-size Tacoma is the higher vendor.

Small vehicles by no means was once well-liked within the US, however that is altering. A small truck just like the Ford Maverick has 5 seats and the identical drive high quality as a compact SUV, however with the added options of the loadbed. That is well-liked for each work and life-style use — to not point out that these vehicles are additionally cheaper to purchase and to run than the larger ones.

What to anticipate

Extra RAV4 than child Tacoma

The brand new small Toyota truck can have a unibody building, like a automotive the place the physique and chassis are collectively in a single, built-in construction. The Tacoma and different greater vehicles use body-on-frame building, which is extra rugged, however the Toyota, just like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe, can have a higher bias to city driving.

A unibody car weighs much less, which provides higher gasoline financial system. Additionally it is extra inflexible and has a decrease heart of gravity, which provides higher dealing with. It is quieter and provides a smoother experience, whereas the built-in building makes it safer in an accident.

Sharing a platform with the RAV4

Toyota, like most carmakers, has various commonplace platforms it may use to construct a brand new car on. The one used for the Corolla might be too small, however the model used for the RAV4, Camry, and Highlander would appear a good guess. It might have a four-door, five-seat cabin, and a squarish loadbed about 54 by 54 inches.

Energy and drivetrain

Que the ’26 RAV4

If the brand new small Toyota truck relies on the RAV4 (which I anticipate), we will anticipate the identical 2.5L hybrid engine, with a less expensive FWD and 226 hp choice, and AWD with two motors and 236 hp. Toyota has been aggressively shifting its gas-only vehicles to hybrid format, and this may proceed right here. A tantalizing choice can be including a PHEV model as with the ’26 RAV4, in a position to go 50 miles on battery alone, and making a mixed 320 hp. Why not?

Pricing

You will get a primary gasoline Tacoma for $32K, which is identical because the RAV4 hybrid. The Tacoma will get about 22 mpg, whereas the RAV4 will get about 39 mpg. So I anticipate the baseline truck to start out simply above $30K, a bit greater than the Ford Maverick. I do not assume Toyota goes to try to outcheap Ford or Hyundai, however as an alternative provide a compelling truck at an inexpensive value.

Seems to be and title

Count on an offroad vibe

Credit score: Toyota

Regardless that the brand new Toyota can be aimed extra at city than off-road driving, I anticipate the design to mirror the extra aggressive, chunky look discovered on the Tundra and Tacoma. So huge wheel arches with outstanding flares, the identical trapezoid grille, and customarily angular traces. I do not assume it would appear like a RAV4 with a loadbed.

The inside, nonetheless, can be extra refined and car-like, in all probability similar to the RAV4. You do not have to surrender the finer options that work so nicely in metropolis driving.

What is going to the truck be known as?

The title Stout is usually talked about, as a result of Toyota used to have a light-weight truck within the ’60s with that moniker. I’ll show to be unsuitable, however I doubt they’d use that title. It was used too way back, and the unique Stout was solely made for about 5 years earlier than being discontinued. There is not sufficient heritage related to it. The title Hilux has been floated, however that is what the Tacoma known as in the remainder of the world.

My guess is that it could be some type of geographic characteristic beginning with the letter T, just like the Tundra (a semi-frozen panorama) or the Tacoma (the Native American title for Mount Rainier). My guess is that it could be some type of geographic characteristic beginning with the letter T, just like the Tundra (a semi-frozen panorama) or the Tacoma (the Native American title for Mount Rainier). A fast search discovered a Tuff, or a type of volcanic rock, which I believe would actually land nicely: the Toyota Tuff.

The Stout title is also reintroduced and revamped — which is one other time period for both sturdy, courageous, or chubby.