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 know why Toyota is doing this, let’s take into account 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 monumental autos, costly to purchase, and to drive. Toyota has the Tundra on this section, however the mid-size Tacoma is the higher vendor.

Small vans by no means was once widespread 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 widespread for each work and way of life use — to not point out that these vans 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 could have a unibody development, like a automobile the place the physique and chassis are collectively in a single, built-in construction. The Tacoma and different larger vans use body-on-frame development, which is extra rugged, however the Toyota, just like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe, could have a better bias to city driving.

A unibody automobile weighs much less, which provides higher gas economic system. It is usually extra inflexible and has a decrease heart of gravity, which provides higher dealing with. It is quieter and provides a smoother trip, whereas the built-in development makes it safer in an accident.

Sharing a platform with the RAV4

Toyota, like most carmakers, has numerous normal platforms it will probably use to construct a brand new automobile 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 wager. 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 count on), 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 fuel Tacoma for $32K, which is similar because the RAV4 hybrid. The Tacoma will get about 22 mpg, whereas the RAV4 will get about 39 mpg. So I count on the baseline truck to begin simply above $30K, a bit greater than the Ford Maverick. I do not assume Toyota goes to attempt to outcheap Ford or Hyundai, however as a substitute supply a compelling truck at an inexpensive value.

Appears to be like and identify

Anticipate an offroad vibe

Credit score: Toyota

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

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

What is going to the truck be referred to as?

The identify Stout is commonly talked about, as a result of Toyota used to have a light-weight truck within the ’60s with that moniker. I could show to be flawed, however I doubt they might use that identify. 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 identify Hilux has been floated, however that is what the Tacoma is named in the remainder of the world.

My guess is that it will 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 identify for Mount Rainier). My guess is that it will 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 identify for Mount Rainier). A fast search discovered a Tuff, or a type of volcanic rock, which I feel would actually land properly: the Toyota Tuff.

The Stout identify may be reintroduced and revamped — which is one other time period for both robust, courageous, or chubby.