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Toyota Is Reportedly Launching a New Truck, To Compete Against RAV4's Fiercest Threat

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of Toyota's most successful SUVs, but it is threatened with one particular vehicle from Ford. And now, there is a reported assurance that Toyota could present a new compact pickup in 2023 to deal with this threat.

The arrival of the Ford Maverick, a hybrid truck that now eclipses both the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V revolutionized the markets, this did not go unnoticed by the competition, who also decided to get down to work and make their own compact pickup. Toyota is one of the brands that is developing a new vehicle for this segment and according to recent information, the brand would be rushing the situation to launch the vehicle next year.

According to CarsGuide, Toyota is expected to present the first data of its future compact pickup during the first quarter of 2023. And even then it is expected that Toyota will report lots of specs about this new car, including from size to the possible mechanics that this pickup truck will have. As for the launch, the Australian site explains that this could happen in 2024 for the North American market.

The compact pickup will have the important task of fighting in the segment that has shown the fastest growth, where there are exponents such as Ford Maverick, Fiat Toro, to name a few models. Without going any further, in the United States the oval brand had problems due to the flood of orders that arrived on the Maverick. Hyundai lived something similar with one of its most emblematic models, Santa Cruz.

The information indicates that the new Toyota vehicle will be based on the architecture of one of its vehicles, the RAV4 SUV, something similar to what the competition has done. In the case of Ford, to bring Maverick to life, it used the same platform that its Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs carry. The new compact pickup will sit below the midsize pickup offerings from Toyota, Hilux and Tacoma. Regarding the design, there are no details about it, but it is rumored that it will follow in the footsteps of the new generation of the Toyota Tundra.

Another fact about this new compact pickup is that it is said that it could be called Stout. The name is familiar to the brand, since in the past a truck that was part of its lineup bore that name. The Toyota Stout (the original) began its journey in 1954 and lasted until 1989.

"It will be a matter of waiting a little longer to see if Toyota will make the first presentation of the vehicle next year and if it will carry the classic name that the company has, Stout," writes automotive journalist Fernano Berdini, in Cuyomotor.

What do you think of the Toyota's Maveric-fighting new truck idea? Should Toyota may be just directly go to make an electric truck? Please, share your opinion in the comments section below and thanks for reading and sharing in the social media.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube

Comments

jg (not verified)    October 14, 2022 - 1:04AM

Might be a new EV co-sponsored with Subaru to address their product line gap that many have clamored for.

Charllie Joseph (not verified)    October 15, 2022 - 9:30AM

I had a 2001 Ford Sport Trac pick-up. I loved it! Not merely based on the Explorer, it was actually part of the Explorer family. Over the years I've migrated to Toyota; thru the Highlander to the RAV4. My wife and I have a pair of RAV4 2021 XSE Hybrid Prime plug-ins. Great vehicles! If Toyota comes out with a pick-up based on the RAV4 with hybrid plug-in capability, I will be the first in line.

Weldon Chatham (not verified)    October 16, 2022 - 8:41PM

In reply to by Charllie Joseph (not verified)

Ive owned 2 Toyota Tacomas and 2 Toyota rav4s
Presently a 2020 rav4 hybrid xse I don't want a plug in version. but would definitely buy one similar to my hybrid I believe Toyota is the leader of hybrid vehicles

Herman L Alarcon (not verified)    October 16, 2022 - 6:32AM

Toyota should go with a hybrid and prime versions. The electric market doesn't access everyone.

Ray S (not verified)    October 16, 2022 - 1:49PM

My wife's 2022 RAV4 XLE Hybrid has a great combination of fuel efficiency and performance.
My 2016 Tacoma has been a workhorse with no issues in 100,000 miles of driving.
Should Toyota announce a pickup on the RAV4 platform, I'd give it a serious look.

Dustin (not verified)    October 16, 2022 - 8:11PM

Not electric, hybrid would be ok, no CVT transmission, just a good quality small truck for a reasonable price. Something that can tow a small boat or utility trailer. Something like the corolla of small trucks!

mike fox (not verified)    October 16, 2022 - 9:18PM

If Toyota people are listening, please give me an option for a six foot bed. These tiny beds in the Santa Cruz and Maverick are absurd

Gary (not verified)    October 18, 2022 - 2:58PM

In reply to by mike fox (not verified)

There's no way they'd put a 6-foot bed on a Santa Cruz/Maverick competitor - there'd be no room for a second row, and it would compromise the compact nature. The redesigned Tacoma should, however, come in a hybrid powertrain option, and if it's anything like the current gen, come in either a 6 or 5 foot bed depending on cab size.

Frank Smith (not verified)    October 17, 2022 - 1:10AM

Toyota small hybrid truck?
YES PLEASE!!
Own a Camry hybrid now and need to replace an old 1999 Chevy P/U.

R. L. (not verified)    October 17, 2022 - 11:15AM

It would be awesome to get into the ¾ and 1 ton diesel market. Even a Tundra with a diesel would be great. It works well in the HiLux models in Europe.. But a dually version like the one made for the SEMA show in the early 2000's is what we need...

Damion Clark (not verified)    October 17, 2022 - 1:29PM

I was one of the lucky ones who bought and received a 2022 Ford Maverick XL Hybrid. (The trim is XL, XLT, or Lariat, and you can get all 3 either as Hybrids or Turbo gas engine). In addition they are standard as Front-Wheel drive transmissions, but you can opt for AWD, but AWD is not available for the Hybrid versions. XL does not come with cruise control, btw. Had the Toyota mini truck been out and been in the similar $19,995 advertised price for the hybrid Ford Maverick, I would have opted for the Toyota, a brand proven to be the most reliable out there. Nonetheless, aside from my Hawaii Ford dealer pulling some dirty shenanigans and raising the price by $2,200 once my ordered vehicle arrived, I have been extremely happy and very impressed with my '22 Maverick. Its unique front wheel drive seems to handle very well on wet roads and gravel roads (no snow conditions to deal with in Hawaii). Even with the markup, I was able to buy a brand new 2022 hybrid truck out the door, with tax, title, registration, and $1,500 destination fee to Hawaii, for $25,600. It is a very quiet, smooth, and fuel efficient truck. I have 9,400 miles in the first 5 months, and computer says 40.5 mpg. Actual mileage appears to be 2.7 mpg less, meaning my true fuel efficiency is 37.8 mpg, on par with the average rating of 37. There were no other fuel efficient sedans, or SUV's let alone trucks being sold brand new at a sub $20k msrp price. It has generous rear doors and substantial storage below the rear bench seat. Rear bench seat is not split though, so not all that practical if you require a car seat to go on the rear bench, I'd plan not to use the below bench storage. Also the bed of the truck is only 4.5 feet, though small, it handles most average household errands with the practicality of having a truck bed. I can haul green waste, trash cans, small pallets, and even a half scoop of gravel or dirt, things not possible in a sedan or SUV. An all electric Toyota truck or a plug in hybrid would be a phenomenal new vehicle, but to be price competitive to the Maverick, there is no hope of either of those without huge inpact on price. Still, if Toyota were to come out with an electric or plug in hybrid 4x4 vehicle, they'd open up an entirely new segment that would have tremendous interest.

Chris J (not verified)    October 17, 2022 - 5:58PM

I've driven a pickup all my life. My recent vehicle was just downsided froma 2021 F150HDPP to a Rav4 TRD.

Life changing to say the least. Altho I'm lost without my truck. I do really enjoy this Rav. However, had there weren't been a Rav based pickup like the Maveric, especially in TRD trim. It would have been a No Brainer for a pickup guy like me who burns miles like socks. And I'd take the exact same drive train as my little gasser TRD

rj (not verified)    October 17, 2022 - 8:58PM

A Tacoma hybrid and prime would be enough. When it comes down to it, Toyota should first concentrate on stocking their existing models at their dealers.

John shutka (not verified)    October 20, 2022 - 5:59AM

Just picked up my maverick hybrid xlt and l love iIt does everything l need to do. But I would seriously would look at a Toyota version of a hybrid pu smaller than a Tacoma. I just like pick ups with great gas mileage

Susan Bishop (not verified)    October 21, 2022 - 6:35PM

I waited to long to get my husband on board to get the Ford Maverick and wasn’t able to get one. I much rather have the same type of truck made by Toyota. I like the idea of the hybrid that recharges itself. NO PLUG in. It would be nice to have all wheel drive as a hybrid. I like the trunk like the Honda Ridgeline has so you can put somethings out of sight. I have been a Toyota owner for a long time. Was looking for a different vehicle but might wait now to see what Toyota comes up with.

Andy (not verified)    October 24, 2022 - 9:02PM

I've been waiting for Toyota to do this, and I'm interested. I'm for sure a buyer if they offer an access cab version with 5.5 or 6 ft bed. I use my truck ('03 Tacoma) to commute and as a real truck, not as a family car. That 4 1/2 ft bed on the Maverick is a big detractor for me.

Joe Cimbak (not verified)    October 26, 2022 - 11:44AM

I owned a '97, a '99, a '16 and now a '21 Tacomas. Great trucks. I moved up to an F350 crew cab with long bed for work and it is a strong and lumbering beast. Gas mpg is about 15mpg all around with the 7.3l gas engine. Great truck. But we also just bought a Ford Maverick hybrid. Took 16 months from time of order to the time it arrived. That shows you that the market saturated fast - and it furthers the discussion on supply chains being screwed up too of course. Soon as I saw the Maverick I knew I wanted one. Why? Small, small, small. Easy to run around in. Easy for my wife to drive comfortably. She now claims it as her best car ever. We love to play with trying to eek out best mpg with the hybrid drive system. We see trips getting 50mpg REGULARLY. Ford did a great job. I want to see what Toyota can come up with for a small truck. I know I would buy one if it had room for 4 people (same room as Maverick), if it had 4x4, if it had a longer bed than Maverick, if it could get combined EPA mpg of about 35mpg.and if they build it in Japan! I'm a Toyota fan from way, way back but Ford hit a homerun in this small truck market. The single hardest abused truck I ever owned - a truck that I literally over worked day after day after day was an Isuzu P'up and I bought that before I bought my first Tacoma because that was all I could afford. 2wd, 4 on the floor, good long bed, single cab but it was fun to drive, got about 27mpg and I beat the snot out of that truck every day and I never had a major issue with it. I sold it for top dollar with 157,000 miles on it to a melon farmer who I saw driving it a year later...he had a bed full of melons and he had a small trailer on it that was also full of melons. I asked him how it was going and he said, "Glad I bought this, it is a great work truck." OK, last point. Remember Toyota had a pickup truck that was a small single cab model with a LONG BED and they called it a 1 Ton? Remember that? Toyota...please, please, please come back with that kind of small truck. Those things were BEASTS.

John mash (not verified)    November 5, 2022 - 12:33PM

I’m hoping to see a new generation tacoma with the balance of performance and excellent mileage. Hopefully with a HEV or PHEV option.

If not I’m gonna go with a rav4 prime(2 year wait) or a Subaru outback hybrid (2025). Hoping to squeeze out as much kms out of my 2002 pathfinder.

Oh I’d buy a ford lightning if. It for the 20-25% markup at the dealership and little to no gov incentives.

Hopefully Toyota can overcome their supply chain issues!!!

Maria (not verified)    November 6, 2022 - 2:34PM

I don't understand why a Toyota Hybrid truck wasn't released already. I have really only owned Toyota's all my 'adult life.' Love them! But they don't produce a product that meets my needs for comfort and true 4 x 4 with good gas mileage. Logically, one might look to the 4 runner but I don't like them and don't need something bigger, like the Sequoia.
Back to the 4 Runner option...for me the boyish style of the dash/seats is a turn off. Nothing like my Highlander Hybrid Platinum which gives me that comfort and style. Heck. would love, love, love it if the Highlander would have a 4 x 4 option for those of us that need the 4 x 4. A truck could satisfy that need if they keep the comfort factor in place.
Currently I am looking at for the first time in about 20+ years at leaving to get what I need in another brand. Makes me incredibly sad and nervous. PLEASE HURRY AND PRODUCE SOMETHING for people like myself.