The compact pickup market is heating up in America, and Toyota has made it official that it's preparing to join the fight. As the Ford Maverick is dominating the sales charts and the Hyundai Santa Cruz is making waves, Toyota is busy developing a new compact Toyota truck that will be below the Tacoma. A hybrid-powered, SUV-bodied truck, the new vehicle is directly aiming at customers who are seeking utility, efficiency, and affordability in a smaller package.

Based on a Time-Proven Basis

In contrast to the Tacoma, a body-on-frame work truck, this new compact Toyota truck will be built on Toyota's TNGA unibody platform. This setup makes it comparable to crossovers like the RAV4, in capability, fuel efficiency, and comfort.

Hybrid power will be the star of the show from the beginning. Detroit analysts foresee Toyota keeping pace with or beating the Ford Maverick Hybrid, which has 191 horsepower and 2,000 pounds of towing capacity. Higher trims will go toe-to-toe with the Maverick EcoBoost, towing 4,000 pounds. Toyota's decades of hybrid know-how—first with the Prius, then the RAV4 Hybrid—positioned the company to bring to market a truck that combines efficiency with real-world usability.

Consumers can expect smart utility features as well: a multi-purpose bed, tie-downs, and smart in-cabin storage. Merging these utilitarian elements with Toyota's durability reputation might make it a strong contender in the compact truck market.

Why Toyota Wants In Now

Small pickups used to be a niche, but overnight, the Maverick's introduction in 2021 turned everything around. Affordable entry point, decent gas mileage, and convenient versatility have drawn younger buyers, city buyers, and family buyers who need a second car with truck capability.

Hyundai's Santa Cruz demonstrated there was demand, but Ford's Maverick demonstrated there's a whole lot of demand. Toyota thinks it can sell 100,000 to 150,000 units of its compact truck in the United States every year, and this is a big hole in its lineup right now.

Toyota planning and strategy leader Cooper Ericksen told MotorTrend that "decisions have been made" and the project is already in motion. The company believes the market is primed, and Toyota wants a piece of the pie, as evidenced by the Maverick's success.

Price, Positioning, and Timing

Pricing will start at around $30,000, pitting the compact Toyota truck against the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz at a price point competitive with them and below the bigger Tacoma. As Toyota's entry vehicle truck, it will attract first-time truck buyers, downsizers, and anyone looking for pickup utility without mid- or full-size truck size.

The truck will reach dealerships around 2027, providing Toyota with enough time to refine its product as the compact pickup segment starts to mature. That might look like being behind Ford and Hyundai, but the Toyota strategy is to enter the market with a refined, battle-hardened player that is riding on others' learning.

The Naming Question

One of the strongest unrevealed aspects is what Toyota will call this truck. There are those who hope for the return of classic Toyota badges like the Hilux, Stout, or T-100, all of which are nostalgic in overseas markets. Others believe that Toyota will introduce a fresh, bold name to attract younger buyers—something like Yuma or Rainier.

Whatever it is, Toyota knows that branding matters. Its pickup heritage goes deep in America, and adding the correct badge would make it that much more appealing.

Looking Ahead

It will certainly be some time until 2027, but already, individuals are waiting for a compact Toyota truck. By that point, others will have entered the segment, and competition will be even fiercer. However, Toyota's timing might be ideal, since small pickups will most likely remain one of the fastest-growing segments of the automobile market.

For hybrid efficiency-seekers, Toyota durability, and daily truck capability at a good price, this new vehicle might be exactly what they've been waiting for.