Toyota considers making tiny trucks for U.S. market as demand booms

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SteakNKoffee@reddit

I am sure it is going to be something ugly and without a true purpose in mind.

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tklite@reddit

Toyota just needs to offer a consumer kei truck that can be registered in all 50 states.

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We need Toyota to make a dually image a Toyota HD with a scania engine under the hood it would blow any of the big 3s out of the country and for anyone who knows anything about semis you know who I’m talking about plus because Toyota is foreign and can’t use there in-house diesel cause of emissions and Cummins is used in the ram it’s in the realms of possible they would use scania cause there coming to the American market they already use there engines in international

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

Just give me a retro modern Hilux.

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cookingboy@reddit

So I know absolutely nothing about trucks (I've never even driven one lol), but it seems like people really like the Hilux. What makes them special (I've only seen the Top Gear episode lol), and what makes them better than say... the Maverick?

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barkx3@reddit

The Maverick is sweet, and roughly the same size as a 90s Ranger/S10/Sonoma/Tacoma/Hilux/whatever, but the Maverick isn't a true body on frame truck and has a really small bed size so that puts people off of it compared to older trucks. The single cab 6ft bed small truck is still missing.

But really what's needed is for GM, Toyota, Nissan, and Dodge to start making their own versions of the Maverick like this article is suggesting otherwise Ford is gonna keep raising the price of the Maverick by $5k every year with no competition.

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penguinchem13@reddit

Very few people would buy a single cab anymore.

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69805516@reddit

Personally, if I were to buy a truck, I would only buy a single cab.

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ConnorOlsen88@reddit

I believe it. I’m currently having a real hard time finding a 4x4, 4 cylinder Tacoma with a two door/single cab and 6-6.5ft bed. I’ve been trying to find a new one for the past two weeks and it’s like searching for a unicorn or a needle in a haystack. It’s crazy.

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barkx3@reddit

I seriously think if the single cab, 6ft box, 4wd truck was brought back in the mid $20ks people would buy them. I know with modern regulations we can't just sell brand new 1995 Ford Rangers anymore but if you ask me people want crew cab short boxes because vehicles are obnoxiously expensive now and people can't afford a beater truck + daily anymore.

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California_ocean@reddit

Mazda B4000 is size would be nice. A v6 hybrid and a 6' bed. Perfect.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

I seriously think if the single cab, 6ft box, 4wd truck was brought back in the mid $20ks people would buy them.

You could buy a regular/6' 2WD or 4WD small BOF truck in the US as late as 2014 (Tacoma) for under $18K new. A few years before that, you could buy one from 3 other brands for even cheaper. They weren't in high demand.

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barkx3@reddit

I had an 08 single cab 6ft bed Tacoma. I did my part to keep them alive!!!!

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Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit

Circlejerking + forbidden fruit

They have shit power and fuel economy, they're still quite big especially on offroad trims that have comical fender flares, people absolutely still kit them out for offroading and then don't, they have no colours on the workmate trim (the one redditors want), the interior is not just outdated but cheap, they handle like the work trucks they are.

Yes they're reliable, but you're paying a big price/quality premium for that reliability. And the Ranger is near enough the same thing (and actually has power in some trims!), yet you don't see Americans circlejerking about wanting the 4 cylinder, single cab/cab chassis variants of that to nearly the same degree.

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SnooGadgets9669@reddit

I agree at this point they are way overhyped but to be someonewho bought it brand new and driveit fordeaveds is golden.

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dondiamond10@reddit

They also drive like pure shit and are uncomfortable, drove one here in Egypt because of how many of them there are and the thing is hilariously bad to drive. Highway driving in the thing is even worse, it makes you think the thing is about to fall apart or skid out of its lane on the smallest imperfection.

People think they want them but 90% of people would pass over on a 10min test drive, it's a work truck to buy if you actually need it which isn't what the american truck market wants. They're trucks you buy if you *need* a truck not if you *want* a truck.

(I drove a 10yr old one with 200k highway kilometers so it wasnt even that used)

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SnooGadgets9669@reddit

incredibly reliable id argue the most reliable car/truck ever built before or after it.

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colegaperu@reddit

I used to own a Toyota Hilux — incredibly reliable with a tough 4.0L diesel engine and a super strong chassis (go-to choice for mining companies). That said, the ride is pretty rough when unloaded due to the leaf spring suspension, and they tend to feel unstable during high-speed cornering.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

You need to thank Toyota War, local terrorizers in middle east love that truck so much. As well as, Russian and Ukrainian also love that truck too.

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theNightblade@reddit

The Hilux is just the Tacoma circa 1997

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

No, it’s not. The HiLux has been midsized since 2004. It’s more or less the same size as the Ranger and they compete directly.

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theNightblade@reddit

I should have said the Hilux that people want is a Tacoma circa 1997

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Bonerchill@reddit

Reliable and incredibly high payload outside of litigious societies with high speed limits like the US. Actual bed sized for working, with tie downs around the outside for tarping out loads. Pure utility.

Would not work in the US because it would generally be uninsurable. A 3,800lb truck with a 2,200lb payload would be incredible.

That said, Americans require towing capacity to be calculated according to SAE J2807 standards and most small trucks are going to struggle.

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

They are generally known as reliable, somewhat barebones workhorses. I have no idea if they are better than the Maverick or any other truck but they are typically a little smaller than the Tacoma and the old ones look badass.

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Defiant-Diver-6041@reddit

Google Toyota Hilux Champ

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Mitchlowe@reddit

I’m in the minority but I find them so derpy looking. I think they tried to match the styling of the 60’s toyoace but it’s kinda ugly

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SnooGadgets9669@reddit

i think they are ugly to but reliability matters to me far more when it comes to a truck none of them look good in my opinion dudes dropping 50+k for the "faster v8" or whatevr options are freaking idiots

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Bamres@reddit

I think its the proportions bu Because it has a modern tall front on a short frame

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0peRightBehindYa@reddit

Tiny trucks....you mean what used to be considered normal sized?

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AwesomeBantha@reddit

they look hilarious when you give them a big lift and fat tires, kind of like a mini RC monster truck

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SigmaBallsLol@reddit

Looks like they tried to smash the overly aggressive looking front end of a modern American truck with the cab of a Jeep, then shrunk it all down to fit on a Kei truck design. The 60s ToyoAce looks much more cute and 'friendly' for lack of a better word.

The people it appeals to visually don't want this, they want the biggest most obnoxious full size trucks they can get their hands on.

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ActualCounterculture@reddit

Because of the lower grill and the bumper, there's already big aftermarket options in Thailand, they even have a Land Cruiser 70 replica kit

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Mitchlowe@reddit

I just don’t get why there is so much space above the fender until you reach the hood. It’s like the fenders are too small or low. The FJ cruiser is kinda similar but looks 10x better in comparison

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notafamous@reddit

Few look good, but to me it looks like the design team heard "it needs to look boxier and more rugged" quite to many times and that's why I don't like about it, or on many of the newer trucks

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LordOfThePants90@reddit

Can the just sell the original Hilux in the US please! I've thought about importing one but the parts availability is holding me back.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

Can Toyota just sell the original Hilux in the US please!

What do we mean by "original Hilux"? They've been making it since the '60s. Toyota did sell it under the Hilux name for just a few years in the US, but every Hilux model from 1973-95 was sold simply as "Pickup" or "Truck". And even the first-gen Tacoma shared some parts with the next gen of Hilux (N140).

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

The HiLux Champ isn’t any smaller (and in fact larger in some dimensions) than a standard single cab HiLux, which is the same size as other midsized trucks like the Ranger.

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z31@reddit

Right size, too bad they are ugly as shit.

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

There we go! $12k base, now that's an affordable small pickup *ahem*slate*ahem*

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

No one wants a base model Slate, though. They don't even have speakers.

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NCSUGray90@reddit

Not really a fair comparison with EV vs ICE. A time will come where the proliferation of EV’s, battery tech, and manufacturing scale will bring down the cost of production so that there can be truly affordable EV’s if regulations don’t force them to a higher price point, we just aren’t there quite yet.

That being said, yes please Toyota, bring the Champ to the US

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

Agreed, I was being facetious.

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OldKentRoad29@reddit

God forbid you be facetious on here because you know you have to be literal on here all the time.

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

I don't know if you could pay me to drive that, though. They're so hideous.

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Compy222@reddit

70 series pickup please

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carbon_ape@reddit

I rented a Hilux when I was in Australia. It was the scariest vehicle I have ever drove on a highway. It felt like it was going to flip over constantly and it was about as luxurious as a ford maverick.

You would need to have a weapon to my head to even bring to convince me to trade my Tacoma for one.

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Perth_R34@reddit

You must have driven an absolutely flogged one.

Because they’re not bad on highways at all, similar to any other dual cab Ute (Ranger, DMax, Triton, Navara etc.)

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defenestr8tor@reddit

The Hilux has been my dream truck my whole life, and we ordered a 6 speed 4x4 the moment we committed to moving to Straya. I averaged 7.7L/100km. In a crew cab.

It is absolutely the truck the world needs. Americans just don't like it because it isn't a disgustingly oversize 400hp V8 gasser designed to haul the most fragile of egos.

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

Americans just don't like it because it isn't a disgustingly oversize 400hp V8 gasser designed to haul the most fragile of egos.

the HiLux only has that engine in Australia because our emission standards are still from 2009.

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defenestr8tor@reddit

I absolutely hate the way that we in Canada just get cars that follow the US's shitty EPA standards that make such a big deal about nitrides of oxygen.

Can we have the most thermally efficient engine (44%) ever produced? Nope, it makes a little bit too much NOx.

Instead, go drive 2 hours each way to your office job downtown in a crew cab 6000 lb 4x4 with a 5' hood height. Do it for the environment.

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LordofSpheres@reddit

You do know that NOx is one of the worst local pollutants, right? It creates lung diseases, among other issues like, oh, I don't know, acid rain. Furthermore, thermal efficiency doesn't necessarily equate to actually beneficial efficiency or even fuel efficiency. It just represents energy conversion out of the fuel and into crank rotation - but can be incredibly polluting and overall worse than burning more fuel slightly less efficiently.

So yeah, actually, a crew cab can be better for the environment, especially on a local level, than something pissing out NOx.

Oh, and besides that, you can still buy a small car in Canada. It's not at all illegal to do.

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defenestr8tor@reddit

You do know that you thoroughly missed the point, right?

NOx is a problem. As is particulate, as is C0. Pretending that Europe's environmental protections aren't as strong as America's is a joke.

I am fully aware that I can buy a small car in Canada. I live here. Nobody was saying that I couldn't, and to imply otherwise is a pointless straw man argument.

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Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit

implying Australians don't buy a shitton of Ranger Raptors, which have a silly offroad kit most people don't use, and a 400hp V6

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BZJGTO@reddit

Hilux is similar to our Tacoma, which is incredibly popular here, despite never being offered with any sort of V8 (or even any of the diesels).

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Drzhivago138@reddit

Toyota replaced the Hilux with the Tacoma in the US 30 years ago because it was more in line with what the market wants in a small pickup (softer ride, better MPG).

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xarune@reddit

For light/small truck duties people buy the Tacoma (which isn't exactly a brute on power). It's optimized for the North American market with a better highway ride (it has a lower GVWR + payload) and drives a bit less "industrial". Americans generally drive further than other countries so optimizing for on-road manners matters a lot.

If you need more capacity it's easier to step up to a full size truck that is larger. They ride better, have immense amounts of cabin space, and can typically handle more than the international midsize trucks. There is no where near the penalty that Australia and other international markets face when sizing up like this.

There really isn't a need for Hilux here because of the space available on roads for fullsizers with very few downsides to doing so.

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carbon_ape@reddit

No, it is a heavy, underpowered truck that handles like a giant block of metal. If a deer jumps in front of you and you swerve, you will be upside down. That is what it feels like and to even get up to speed is ridiculous. It is essentially a slower, less comfy, less advanced tacoma that handles like a brick even though its lighter..

You fanboys enjoy your pornographic idealism of the truck. Anyone who has actually driven one will know exactly what I am saying.

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popsicle_of_meat@reddit

The Tacoma isn't a small truck any more, though. And that's the problem. The market used to have lots of smaller trucks (Tacoma being one of them). Now the Tacoma is pushing into the full-size truck boundary. Some people don't want a big luxurious truck. They just want a smaller useful vehicle.

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carbon_ape@reddit

So build 1st/2nd gen tacoma. The new Hilux are similar size to the new Tacomas.

I am targeting the OPs specificity of ignoring the Tacoma for the Hilux. If you had a chance to compare both trucks side to side at similar price points, I honestly don't think a single person would choose a hilux. You would have to do some serious mental gymnastics..

*but what if I don't change oil for a few years and roll the truck and clog the engine with sand or water* type shit.

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popsicle_of_meat@reddit

And the fact that the article is naming the Maverick and Santa Cruz as "Tiny" is also annoying. Those are not "tiny trucks". They are HUGE compared to small trucks of the 1990s. Building something that large will not pull buys from the people who want a true small truck or Kei truck.

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Sunfuels@reddit

What do you consider a small truck from the 90's. The Maverick and Santa Cruz are pretty comparable to Rangers and S10s from the 90s in overall size, although I would much prefer less passenger room and a 6' bed like my Sonoma had compared to the big 2nd row and tiny bed you get in the Maverick and Santa Cruz.

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Competitive-Reach287@reddit

A '95 Tacoma (Reg cab, six foot box) is two feet shorter and six inches narrower than a modern Maverick. '95 Ranger and S-10 are within a couple of inches of that. The extended cab versions are of a similar length to the Maverick but with the added advantage of having a useful box. Obviously targeted at different demographics.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

A '95 Tacoma (Reg cab, six foot box) is two feet shorter and six inches narrower than a modern Maverick.

So you're pointedly comparing dissimilar configs?

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Sunfuels@reddit

95 Ranger and S10 with regular cab and short beds are about 190 inches long, 10 more than the 95 Tacoma in it's smallest regular-cab, short bed version and 9 and 6 inches shorter than the Maverick and Santa Cruz. All the long bed, extended cab, and/or crew cab versions of the 90's Ranger and S10 are longer than Maverick, and the extended cab long-bed '95 Tacoma is too.

I'm kind of nitpicking here - I don't think it's valid to say that the Maverick and Santa Cruz are "HUGE" compared to 90's trucks, because they are about the same length as most of the small trucks you would see in the 90's (extended cabs always sold better than regular). The weight differences isn't all that much, and most of the extra width of the modern trucks is in the doors for crash structure.

Point is, I think someone expecting there to be a realistic case for trucks much smaller than the Maverick is going to be disappointed.

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popsicle_of_meat@reddit

The Maverick is 5in wider, and 5-6in taller than a 2000 S-10. The Santa Cruz is wider still. And the S-10 and Ranger were a little bigger than the smaller trucks of the 1990s (not by much, but still).

It's hard to know what they mean when they say "tiny truck" but reference something that is not as 'tiny' as trucks used to be back in the day. If they made another 1990 Tacoma it would be smaller than any of the Maverick, Santa Cruz or S10.

I'm pretty sure crash safety plays a lot into it, too, but if small cars like the Smart or Scion iQ can be made, I'm pretty sure they could make an actual small truck if they wanted.

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jb45rd6@reddit

Yeah it’s not built for highways. It’s built for no roads.

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carbon_ape@reddit

A Tacoma TRD Pro is eating any Hilux for lunch off-road.

Maybe you mean overlanding?

The Hilux is better at... mpg, towing, and surviving incredibly harsh conditions.

There is NOTHING else it is better at than the Tacoma TRD Pro. Tacoma is faster, better rock climbing, better high-speed offroading/highway, better driving dynamics, suspension, clearance/tech/comfort/ etc.

ANYBODY who thinks otherwise needs to watch a comparison video or go try them out (Hilux GR Sport is closest).

The fanboyism in this thread, while having ZERO real-world experience/understanding of these trucks, is almost as bad as the Supra boys. Top Gear made such a monster with that hilux episode..

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jb45rd6@reddit

“A tacoma TRD pro is eating any Hilux off road”

Next you’ll tell me an M5 CS eats a 320i in handling?

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jb45rd6@reddit

“A tacoma TRD pro is eating any Hilux off road”

Next you’ll tell me an M5 CS eats a 320i in handling?

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

Nobody is saying a hilux is better than a tacoma, you just went apeshit about how great a Tacoma is over a Hilux comment.

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carbon_ape@reddit

The amount of North American fanboys (Canada / USA) of Hiluxes on Reddit is nutso. The Tacoma is here... it is a better version of a Hilux in pretty much every single way that you would use the truck for.

Oh.. you want to roll your truck, not do an oil change for 4 years, get better mpg, and tow 7k+ pounds? Great. But at the cost of y'know....driveability, performance in every category, comfort in every category, tech in every category... COOL STORY

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

More of that APESHIT (using all caps so you feel more comfortable).

Is the Tacoma considered a "Tiny" pickup? And the base price is $31,500, is that competitive in the tiny pickup segment?

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f8Negative@reddit

Without all the damn screens. Sure have that be an option, but make a basic truck.

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Carl-99999@reddit

“Break the law please” is what you’re saying. They legally can’t. It’s not doable. They will be fined billions if they try.

It’s over.

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Cranjesmcbasketball1@reddit

Huh?

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Apprehensive_Can1656@reddit

If they made one of these with lower operating costs and great uptime, I could totally see them being ideal for rental fleets or even subscription services. Small trucks are practical tools, not just lifestyle vehicles.

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UnusualCoconuts@reddit

“Tiny trucks.” That’s how skewed our sense of reality is. They are sensible size trucks.

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GatorSe7en@reddit

Sure, great… but it’ll be 40k after the dealers bend you over.

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FeemBleem@reddit

Toyota dealerships are the absolute worst. I know people who turned away from buying one because of their dealerships.

Toyota is also getting a bit greedy as of late.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

Add me to that list.

I wanted to test drive a Taco just to see if I could fit comfortably and how the new engine felt, but they told me no, and if I wanted to buy, they wanted $53k for a non-premium TRD Offroad, or $57k for a TRD Offroad with the premium package.

I went and bought a Pro-4X with literally every option available for $44k OTD.

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Shallow_wanderer@reddit

The new Nissan Frontier is what I'm directly looking at for a new small truck at this point

The Tacoma is overpriced, and I'm not sure if the Ranger/Canyon is as reliable as the Frontier

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SnooGadgets9669@reddit

Frontier seems to be in a sweet spot right now its my first choice for a new truck when the time comes and sense the new gen came out the 2nd gen has becomeso much cheaper!

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

I love mine, and as someone else who came over from an FM platform vehicle (07 G35xS sedan), you'll appreciate the familiarity.

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Shallow_wanderer@reddit

Gotta love those Nissan switches and smart keys that haven't changed in 20 years haha

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AwardImmediate720@reddit

Yamaha laughs at your 20 years. A brand new R1M has the exact same key as a 40 year old Virago.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

Once you get to Frontiers and start messing with those, you realize that suspension components haven't changed in 20 years either, and are shared between the midsize (Frontier, Xterra, R51 Pathfinder) and fullsize (Titan, Armada, QX-80).

Control arms off a 2005 Titan will bolt right on to a 2025 Frontier.

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garden_speech@reddit

When the fuck was this? They told you “no” to test driving a Tacoma? I have had zero trouble at all, the lots near me have tons of them sitting. Was this maybe last year in the spring when they were just hitting lots, so all of them were pre-sold?

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TheAlphaCarb0n@reddit

Even though they're still cool it's kind of a bummer what the Taco became. $53k for a "small" truck with a plastic interior is insane.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

$53k for a small truck with a cheap plastic interior and basic cloth seats is batshit crazy.

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Rock-n-RollingStart@reddit

And yet Taco sales are smashing sales records.

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garden_speech@reddit

That’s because people trust Toyotas reliability

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LanceFree@reddit

The only downside I see is being the owner of a Nissan.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

My dog put in more effort finding the right place to shit this morning than you did to come up with this comment

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SnooGadgets9669@reddit

they have been incredibly greedy they drasticallyraised prices on all models after they saw what people would pay During Covid

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AwardImmediate720@reddit

There are plenty of brands as reliable as Toyota. They just don't have the image. In reality Toyotas aren't nearly as reliable as they used to be, the brand is 100% coasting in its legacy.

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FeemBleem@reddit

As soon as they called the LC250 reliable during its international reveal, I knew they were starting to ride on their reputation.

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Perth_R34@reddit

Blame the lack of consumer laws in your country.

Dealers aren’t allowed to charge a cent over the manufacturer’s retail price in most countries.

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TempleSquare@reddit

Blame the lack of consumer laws in your country.

America is weird. The constitution more or less requires these laws to be on the state level (10th Amendment).

But as soon as it crosses state lines, it's argued that it's now interstate commerce and federal (Commerce Clause).

This gives opponents two ways to attack it in court. If it's federal, they'll argue it's state. If it's state, they'll argue it should be federal.

So we end up with nothing.

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GodsFavoriteDegen@reddit

Dealers aren’t allowed to charge a cent over the manufacturer’s retail price in most countries.

Can you name a couple of those countries? I'm curious as to how that works.

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hehechibby@reddit

Canada has MSRP laws I believe, but think sometimes they get past that with 'add-ons'

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SophistXIII@reddit

Other than maybe Quebec, Canada does not have "MSRP laws".

Most provinces have strict advertising laws - ie. dealerships cannot charge more than what they advertise online - but other than Quebec, no province actually mandates that a dealership must sell a car at MSRP.

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GodsFavoriteDegen@reddit

Quebec has no law limiting the dealer to MSRP.

I think that what's confusing you guys is that Quebec (and other provinces) have requirements for "all-in" pricing in advertising. These laws require the dealer to advertise the total write-a-check-and-drive-it-away price including all taxes, fees, add-ons, levies. Everything. There is no requirement under that law that the dealer sell the car for the MSRP.

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TheAlphaCarb0n@reddit

And "Dealer admin fees" that are like $1000 and are just dealer markup.

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GodsFavoriteDegen@reddit

Canada has no law requiring dealers to charge MSRP.

Canada has all-in advertised pricing laws, which dictate that the advertised price must be the price. There's no law, however, dictating that the price must be the MSRP.

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

When I bought my Corolla hatch, they kept trying to sell me a used beige Camry. They had a whole lot of them, ranging from 2015 up to 2020. Every time I'd walk away and go look at something else, they'd try to drag me back to the fucking Camrys. When I finally decided on the Corolla, they tried to charge me a premium for a two year old car, then had the balls to say "those Camrys will be a lot cheaper". I had to bitch at a supervisor just to get the car I wanted ar close to what it was worth. Absolutely infuriating dealing with Toyota dealerships.

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LackingTact19@reddit

Test drove a Prius and the salesman was saying that I was family after knowing me for all of fifteen seconds. The entire thing felt odd since it seemed to be his way of covering up the fact that he didn't seem to know much about the car itself.

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Lawreddits@reddit

Yep. That’s one reason why I don’t have a Toyota.

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WigginIII@reddit

40k hybrid only 180hp CVT front wheel drive take it or leave it.

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angrylawyer@reddit

you throw in an unresponsive, oversized touch screen that looks like it was tacked on after the fact that you've got yourself a deal.

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Mimical@reddit

Customer: "I want the Toyota small truck, in X trim, in blue please"

Dealership: "I have the TRD pro trim, 49,999 in basic bitch black. Take it or fuck off"

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avboden@reddit

Toyota's hybrid 2.5L is 220-230HP in the rav4, would probably use the same driveline and be FWD or AWD.

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Skeptical0ptimist@reddit

I'm pretty sure the dealers think that they are the auto industry, and car manufacturers are just suppliers/vendors.

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TwoSecondsToMidnight@reddit

$40k for a used one with 127k miles and a missing bumper.

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Hayce@reddit

300k mile vehicle: “if you know Toyota then you know this has tons of life left. $30k firm.”

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Kurt805@reddit

Don't forget a 30% tariff :')

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bikedork5000@reddit

I mean, low 40s would not be crazy if it's awesome.

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jy856905@reddit

I thought Toyota was already working on the stout?

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xrelaht@reddit

Give us the Pixis, you cowards!

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

So, they're gonna launch a Maverick competitor but not compete on price.

Good luck.

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garden_speech@reddit

Good luck.

They won’t be needing it, given that the Tacoma is more expensive than all it’s competitors but still outsells them and is setting records.

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Dan_TheGreat@reddit

A base taco is like 32k, A base maverick is now 28k iirc was like 24 passed years.

They can easily compete on price.

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AmbassadorLeather224@reddit

I bought a '24 Tacoma Xtracab (2-door) last year. 4x4, heated seats, otherwise pretty basic. Wife and I wanted a minimalist truck and live in Colorado, so it's a good winter / utility vehicle.

$44K. Had to special order it from the dealer, took 4 months for them to get. Dealer said that Toyota was only building about 5% of the new Tacomas as 2 doors.

Point being, there are practically zero Tacomas being sold for close to $32K. There's a ton of space under what Tacomas actually sell for, but I'm not sure if Toyota can make something that cheap that isn't laughably slow.

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Rynyann@reddit

There is absolutely a segment of buyers who would be interested in a small truck but would never buy from a domestic brand

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a_modal_citizen@reddit

Maverick is already overpriced these days.

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SonovaVondruke@reddit

Unless they reverse the recent price increase, it'll be north of 30k out the door for the base model once the current "Employee pricing" promotion ends.

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RubberPhuk@reddit

Small sized trucks fell out of the manufacturer favor in the US because of just California pushing their emmissions regulations onto the EPA. Something about vehicles needing to take up a specific amount of square footage or "footprint" on the road depending on the engine's fuel-emission efficiency.

So the chosen solution? The manufacturer just took the same motors they already had and stuck them in larger sized vehicles.

The decisions aren't from the consumer side. Sure some people like simply having more cabin space provided by larger sized trucks/cars, but there's still a large consumer side demand for small sized trucks like the classic s10. But the manufacturers aren't supplying it, and most people only choose from what's made available.

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RubberPhuk@reddit

I think small sized trucks fell out of manufacturer favor in the US because of just California and their emmissions stuff. Something about vehicles needing to take up a specific amount of square footage or "footprint" on the road depending on the engine's fuel/emission efficiency.

So the chosen solution? The manufacturer just took the same motors they already had and stuck them in larger sized vehicles.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

because of just California and their emmissions stuff. Something about vehicles needing to take up a specific amount of square footage or "footprint" on the road depending on the engine's fuel/emission efficiency.

Footprint-based (wheelbase x track) MPG targets came from from the EPA, not California specifically. Try again.

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RubberPhuk@reddit

Where did the EPA get that? Because California pushed it onto them.

Sure some people like simply having more cabin space, but there's still a large demand for small sized trucks like the classic s10. But the manufacturers aren't supplying it.

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jaques_sauvignon@reddit

I'd be happy if they just brought back something with the dimensions of the 2nd gen Tacoma. I find the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick to be a little too small for my needs, but I don't like how big modern 'mid sized' trucks are, either.

I could even go a tad smaller with the 1st gen size, too. Give me a 6ft bed with just a little cab space behind the seat to fit a dog, with no body bloat, and I'd be good.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

There's no money in trucks like those. People want crew cabs.

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jaques_sauvignon@reddit

I recognize that, and that I'm in the minority. I don't have kids and almost never have the need to shuttle more than 1 passenger, so I don't need the crew cab. Sometimes I do have a passenger plus one dog, so for that the half cab in back with suicide doors is perfect.

Then I camp and road trip a lot, and also haul 8ft building material sometimes, so that 6ft bed is really nice to have. Nissan still makes what I need, but otherwise my next truck will have to be a long boi Tacoma or just a full size, and I really don't want a full size truck.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

There's also the Xtracab Tacoma with a 6' bed and no rear seat. Same length as the crew/5'.

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jaques_sauvignon@reddit

Right, but since they got rid of the suicide doors, that does not allow me to get my dog in without removing the passenger seat (which is something I've considered - just stash the passenger seat at home until it's needed).

But that sucks.

Otherwise, no suicide doors just greatly decreases the utility of having that "Xtra" space back there if you have to risk slipping a disc in your spine to get stuff in/out. I've been driving a single cab for 19 years and am ready for a little more space. Only reason it works with the dog is I have a bench seat, but those are gone, too.

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popsicle_of_meat@reddit

If all the truck makers hadn't ballooned the size of their trucks over the years, they'd still be fine. The 1990s Tacoma/Hilux was a great small-truck size. There were even other smaller trucks by Mazda, Nissan, VW... Now the current Tacoma is just as big as the 1990s F150 full size pickup. Crazy.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

A current Tacoma is still 6" narrower and 6" shorter than the most common 90s F-150.

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popsicle_of_meat@reddit

I was going off of Wiki:

1995 Tacoma: width = 66.5in, length = 175-203in, height = 61-67in

2024 Tacoma: width = 76.9in (+10in), length = 213-226in (approx +20in), height = 73.9in (+7-12in)

1995 F150: width = 79in (2in wider), length = 197-232in, height = 74in (same).

Obviously the F150 has larger cab and bed options vs a Tacoma, but they're MUCH closer than they used to be.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

Bear in mind that before 1997, the F-Series didn't include bumpers in the length figures.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

The '95 Tacoma was a compact pickup, similar to the old Rangers and S-10s, while the new one is a midsize. It went up a class with the introduction of the second gen in 2005.

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BoringBob84@reddit

CAFE regulations are not attainable for small vehicles with gasoline engines, so the USA only gets large vehicles.

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

The rules for small trucks are the same as small crossovers, they’re both light trucks. If Toyota can sell you a Corolla Cross they can absolutely sell you a Corolla Cross sized truck.

In fact since the pickup versions generally have longer wheelbases they would have less strict goals than the car it’s based on.

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Vhozite@reddit

This seems like a pretty large oversight/loophole from a regulation standpoint no? Making it so manufacturers can just skirt CAFE with big vehicles seems like it would defeat the point of having the regulations in the first place. You’re just encouraging them to be wasteful in a different way lol

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BoringBob84@reddit

You’re just encouraging them to be wasteful in a different way lol

That is true in some ways and not in others. I think that the requirement for small trucks is around 50 MPG right now, and that is not realistic with gasoline engines. However, electric vehicles are exempt from these regulations (and would easily meet them if they weren't), so it creates an opportunity for a company like Slate to own an un-tapped market.

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lazercheesecake@reddit

It’s not an oversight. Take a look at who put in the amendments to the CAFE as it passed. Funny how representatives and senators are from where truck factories and HQ are. That pork barrel is quite delicious and juicy.

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SonovaVondruke@reddit

Cobra Effect.

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Astramael@reddit

Working as intended.

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BrashHarbor@reddit

Now the current Tacoma is just as big as the 1990s F150 full size pickup.

A 2025 SuperCrew F150 is the exact same width, and 2in longer than a 1979 Supercab F150.

They certainly look bigger, but half-tons have had essentially the same exterior dimensions for nearly 50 years now.

The biggest Tacoma you can buy today is still 5in narrower, and 3in shorter than a 1979 Supercab F150.

The Tacoma has grown over time, but it's still decidedly mid-sized.

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a_modal_citizen@reddit

The Tacoma has grown over time, but it's still decidedly mid-sized.

Thing is, it wasn't mid-sized to start. First-gen Tacoma was a compact.

A 2025 SuperCrew F150 is the exact same width, and 2in longer than a 1979 Supercab F150.

Apples to apples: a 1995 F150 Extended Cab long bed was 235.3 inches; a 2022 F150 SuperCab with an 8' bed is 250.3 inches. That's 15" longer for the same cab and bed configuration. The only way you end up with a similar length is if you go with a stumpy bed on the newer ones.

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unnamed_elder_entity@reddit

Demand was always there. But people don't want to pay the same price for a small truck as a big truck. If they're $1,500 apart, why not get one with extra tow? They're not going to want a Tacoma sales drop so they'll price it that way and then go hurr durr, Americans prefer big trucks!

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Chrodesk@reddit

a smaller car isnt really that much cheaper to make. all the engineering is there, the assembly line has pretty much the same number of stations/people, all the distribution and mouths to feed. Still has 4 seats, a steering wheel, etc.

theres a negligible savings in steel thats priced in pennies per lb.

People think a smaller car should be cheaper, but the reality is much less dramatic.

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Drzhivago138@reddit

Exactly. Let's say the smaller car is 75% the size and 75% the MSRP of the big one--it's still 90% the cost to make.

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ChiggaOG@reddit

Toyota considers tiny trucks because people importing kei trucks.

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mrminty@reddit

Kind of doubt that, they're probably looking at making something slightly smaller than a Tacoma and around the same size as a Maverick.

It's not going to be an Americanized kei truck, it'll be a truckized unibody SUV much like the Maverick's relationship to the Escape/Bronco Sport. If I had to guess they'll probably try and mangle the Rav4 frame into something with a bed.

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a_modal_citizen@reddit

I'd like to see them make Slate the target in size and price, not the Maverick.

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mrminty@reddit

I really don't think very many people would buy it. I'm not even convinced the Slate will sell very well with non-commercial consumers, they're clearly angling to be a fleet supplier.

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LowSkyOrbit@reddit

I'm not convinced any automotive start up that thinks consumers want basic vehicles will make it to their second generation vehicle. Aftermarket accessories are money grabs and smart consumers will buy aftermarket.

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mrminty@reddit

A bare bones truck with 200 miles of range is coming for the market share of base model Hybrid Mavericks owned by companies that install blinds or spray for roaches. Or large orgs that maintain large campuses and buy side by sides with beds for 40k a pop.

It's not even an attractive value proposition for more than 10% of noncommercial buyers because you're also competing with the used market at that price. The Epic Reddit Station Wagon Manual Miata Hilux crowd aren't going to buy this either, just like they don't buy any other niche vehicle in favor of the used market. You can make the argument that it's unique as being an EV truck for so cheap, but there's always the used Nissan Leaf/Model 3 for absorbing the majority of cheap EV shoppers. Purely guesswork here, but I don't think the intersection of "has to be a cheap EV" and "has to be a truck" is very large on a Venn diagram.

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jawknee530i@reddit

The slate would be such a great replacement for so many side by sides out there. Crazy how pricey those things get.

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mrminty@reddit

Yeah that's what a lot of Kei trucks were imported for originally until they caught on with the Reddit crowd, to replace those. I remember being 11 or 12 and discovering that my dad's employer was using Daihatsu Midgets for the groundskeepers. That was like 20 years ago and I still want one.

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Facts_pls@reddit

And the success of slate trucks!

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Paper_Street_Soap@reddit

a bit early to say Slate is a success considering as they haven't produced or sold anything yet. Though I'm cautiously optimistic, the stated price is still too damn high for what you get.

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TheAlphaCarb0n@reddit

For me it depends how much the addons are. If it's gonna cost 40k to get rear seats and some speakers but you've still got 150mi range...yea I'm out.

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secretlyrobots@reddit

https://www.slate.auto/en/slatemaker I’m pretty sure you can’t get it with rear seats

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PlatinumElement@reddit

They come with the SUV package.

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secretlyrobots@reddit

My bad. I thought that that just added a roof over the rear bit

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a_modal_citizen@reddit

If Ford hadn't inflated the price of the Maverick by 30%+ since it launched I might feel worse about the target price of the Slate. As it stands, if they can hit their target I think it's decent.

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hi_im_bored13@reddit

Realistically its not kei trucks or the slate, its the success of the Maverick

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a_modal_citizen@reddit

Personally, Ford could have sold me a Maverick for ~$20k when they launched if they'd actually made enough of them. They've lost my interest at ~$30k.

Slate interests me, though. I like that it's smaller, I like that it's electric, and honestly I'd rather add in my own stereo and such than be stuck with low-end built-in stuff like you get with the entry-level Maverick. It's easier to replace or upgrade a screen you mounted on the dash with a custom 3d printed piece than an OE built-in oddball size one that's tied into the car's systems.

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THATGUYWHOBREATHES@reddit

As a ‘22 Maverick owner, you were never going to get one for $20k. I jumped on the vehicle because of the bed, hybrid mpg, and the price. It was much much better than my old car and with the few modifications I made to my order I was looking at $22k. The price OTD was somewhere in the ballpark of $25k-$26k IIRC. Even at that price I’m very content with what I paid for my truck as a new graduate from college who had never even had a backup camera before. It’s had its fair share of recalls but at 60k miles down the road I love this truck more than when I bought it and I have not had any major issues (transmission, engine. etc.).

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ZaheerAlGhul@reddit

Success? It hasn't even been sold yet.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

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Rabo_McDongleberry@reddit

GR Kei Truck and I'm sold

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aprtur@reddit

Leave it to J-Twitter to start imagining a modified GR Town Ace....

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dcux@reddit

https://www.dieselarmy.com/news/toyota-gr-hilux-champ-proof-that-you-can-race-anything/

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Recoil42@reddit

success

Ah yes they've sold.. checks notes.. zero of them!

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Cholosexual-@reddit

Judging be the article’s wording, they’re going after the maverick. Not really “tiny.”

I’m hoping for the IMV 0, but expecting a chopped up rav4.

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Blaze4G@reddit

Toyota should have already done this already. I am guessing Toyota doesn't want the Tacoma to lose sales to a cheaper, smaller, less profitable truck. But it won't take much investment. Literally use the exact same chassis, drivetrain and suspension of the Rav4, design similar to the Taco and you got a 75k unit per year selling vehicle. They could even use the exact same interior as the Rav4 with the rear seats moved up a bit to give space for the bed.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Bingo. They'd rather sell you a Tacoma. I don't think it's just about cost - this probably also would have less margin. Just a guess.

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Blaze4G@reddit

Yep that's what I mean about less profitable. However, if I'm Toyota I would rather have smaller margin vs completely losing the sale to Ford Mavericks. But I'm sure they have done their analysis and figure the profit they will lose from Tacoma sales may outweigh the profit from taking Maverick sales.

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golfzerodelta@reddit

I’m curious if anyone has analyzed the cannibalism of Rangers by Mavericks, because my impression is that in general the Mavericks were catering to a different type of buyer who didn’t want a Ranger or larger.

I have a feeling Toyota would probably end up cannibalizing the RAV4 or Highlander with a small pickup vs the Tacoma.

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velociraptorfarmer@reddit

Based on what I've seen from Ford people, Rangers are one of the only vehicles they don't have piling up in dealer lots at the moment. Broncos, Mavericks, F-150s, and Super Dutys are piling up like crazy, but Rangers are fairly sparse.

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sponge_welder@reddit

At least when it came out, you had to really want the Maverick to choose it over the ranger. Once you added options they were about the same price and the ranger was more capable for things like towing. Unless you specifically wanted a low vehicle with a bed that could get 50mpg, the ranger was a better deal

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AwardImmediate720@reddit

Unless you specifically wanted a low vehicle with a bed

Honestly that is tempting. But a Maverick can't tow my car or a fully loaded 6x12 trailer, the midsize pickups can.

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shuttlerooster@reddit

At launch I wasn't cross shopping the Maverick with the Ranger. I was cross shopping the Maverick with a Civic. Since then the price has ballooned and I don't really see the reason to get one over a Ranger if you're looking for a truck.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

The Ranger at that point hadn't been refreshed in the U.S. That's part of the reason why I chose the Maverick over it. But today, I'd go Ranger.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Yep. They're discounting heavily and are moving units. The Maverick has been a poor value at the higher end for a few months now, imo. Too expensive for the quality.

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TheAlphaCarb0n@reddit

because my impression is that in general the Mavericks were catering to a different type of buyer who didn’t want a Ranger or larger

Purely anecdotal but I've said the Maverick is basically the only truck I'd buy. My girlfriend says "I don't like trucks but the Maverick is pretty cool". They're all of the truck (minus towing) without all the baggage of owning a truck.

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Blaze4G@reddit

true. I guess a similar analysis could be done using the corolla and the camry. Does the corolla takes sales from the camry....possibly but imo maybe negligible.

As you mention though, I can certainly see people going for a Smaller Taco vs a Rav4.

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jellyrolls@reddit

Make it tiny and make it an EV, or at least a plug-in hybrid based off of the RAV4 platform. That’ll keep the Tacoma in a class of its own.

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willpc14@reddit

I'd imagine TNGA-K would give them a favorable economies of scale that the margin should be fine. Also, lower volume vehicles, like the Tacoma compared to the Rav4, will always have higher margins.

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

Let's see what happens. I'd love to see more competition in this space.

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leedle1234@reddit

In what way would that be a "tiny" truck? The rav 4 is notably larger in literally very dimension compared to the 80s Hilux, L, W, H, even wheelbase. A modern RAV4 turned into a pickup would be as big or bigger than the Maverick, which itself is significantly larger than the old Rangers.

The Maverick is as big as the old GMT400 full size trucks (aside from length) https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ford-maverick-2021-4-door-pickup-vs-chevrolet-ck-1990-2-door-pickup-454-ss/

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Blaze4G@reddit

Not sure what point you're trying to make. If you read the article they clearly state to compete with the maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz. If your issue is the article using the world tiny then that's on the author lol.

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swagfarts12@reddit

I'm not sure this is true, the new Land Cruiser is doing effectively exactly what you say that Toyota doesn't wanna do. The 2025 LC is basically a 2025 4Runner with a different body shape and a $10k price premium and Toyota introduced it anyway. This would just be the reverse, I wouldn't imagine that Toyota would feel that the 4Runner isn't eating sales from the LC but simultaneously feel that a small truck would eat sales from the Tacoma

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Blaze4G@reddit

The difference is the 4runner and the LC have good margins (profit). The 4runner starts at 41k. The taco starts at 32k. So a cheaper pickup would have to start at 28k - 29k to make sense.

Vehicles under 30k has slim margins.

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wpm@reddit

Buddy of mine used to work at a Honda dealership and told me they lost money on every Honda Fit they sold.

RIP to that excellent little car in the USDM. Nothing quite like it.

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molrobocop@reddit

Yep. You gotta get the looks right.

And that means you sacrifice some aero to make it look more trucky. So, more maverick, less Santa Cruz, Ridgeline, Baja, etc.

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Blaze4G@reddit

imo the previous gen Rav4 and even this new 2026 model both front end already look trucky. Use a similar design and print money. I just thought of a stupid name, Rav4 Up lol. Like the Corolla and Corolla Cross (for crossover), the Rav4 and Rav4 Up (for pick up) lol.

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molrobocop@reddit

We'd have to focus group that name.

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Lucreth2@reddit

I was shocked they didn't hit the market last year or at the latest this year with a maverick competitor. It's right up their alley and they could absolutely crush Ford in every way other than brand appeal to truck owners. Throw the Hilux name on it and even that probably doesn't mean much.

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trail-g62Bim@reddit

I've always assumed this is why we don't have the smaller trucks. They did the math and figured that enough people who want the S10/Old Ranger would buy an F150/Silverado/Maverick/Whatever that it makes them more money to lose a few buyers and get the others to buy something more expensive.

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StockAL3Xj@reddit

I feel like I've been reading articles like this for years.

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realKevinNash@reddit

I'll never understand why auto makers think I want a truck that does less of what a truck is. I dont want a massive truck with a 2 inch bed, nor do I want a tiny truck with a 2 inch bed. I dont need a four seater. I need a truck that I can fit any item im hauling from the store to home without it hanging out. Why is that so hard?

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moneymikeindy@reddit

I will say I'm seriously considering the Maverick as my next car when my lease of this Hyundai Ioniq 5 is up.
As a dad and a homeowner I value a small pickup bed that I can use for beds, dressers. Etc. Bags of dirt and mulch. Or just to help out friends. I had an F150 lariat before this lease. I value the mileage I get in the ioniq at a mile for under 1 cent, when charged at home, it's hard to consider the 34 gallon tank I was spending 80-115 to fill weekly when I pay less than $5 a week now. So a small truck, that doesn't need to tow or haul more than 1,000 pounds, but gets better mileage would be perfect for me, and many other families I talk to where both parents work and like to save by doing things themselves instead of paying others to deliver, install. Etc.

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The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit

I don’t want a tiny truck, I want a plain half ton that’s the size of a half ton, not a house. I want it with a rubber floor and vinyl seats, like in ‘82. I want a simple, easy to maintain truck that will last for 20 years of daily work without all of the the fancy bits breaking

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tobiasnashofhighlow@reddit

They said this five years ago. Put up or shut up

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stonksuper@reddit

Oh now all of a sudden less is more.

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Gkid182@reddit

Tiny trucks are in right now

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Averageinternetdoge@reddit

Another 100 grand luxury truck incoming!

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Plaineswalker@reddit

People don't want tiny trucks. Everyone is missing the point. People want affordable vehicles. The average new vehicle price in the US is something like 50k now. That is insane.

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Averageinternetdoge@reddit

Yep. The best toyota will do is launch another 100 grand luxury truck, hah!

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nico_juro@reddit

Just repro the 90s pickup with a 22re sr5 trim. Easy.

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saturnuranusmars@reddit

I don't need need one but I may consider one if they build it

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fordprefect294@reddit

fucking DO IT

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brazucadomundo@reddit

RAM could bring the FIAT Strada from Brazil to test waters here.

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TheAngryFart@reddit

They wouldn’t regret it.

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Remarkable_Ad5011@reddit

I get old dudes asking when they can buy a Stout almost daily.

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itsthebrownman@reddit

It’ll prob be a unibody truck that no one wants instead of the hilux that they ALREADY sell abroad

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7148675309@reddit

Maybe if every model wasn’t always bigger than the one before. Manufacturers say they do this as people want bigger cars - ok then why don’t they just buy the next model up?

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pops992@reddit

Give me a Toyota truck the size of a Maverick and I'm sold.

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aMANandHISmr2@reddit

I second retro modern Hilux

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Skitt64@reddit

Here’s hoping they focus on the utility aspect. I would love to get a small truck with hybrid AWD, a 6 foot bed, and power outlets. Bonus points if they program in a generator mode so you can leave it parked long term while powering things.

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SonovaVondruke@reddit

I don't think a 6' bed is in the cards for anything smaller than a midsize. A midgate is our best hope of fitting sheet goods in a compact pickup.

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Skitt64@reddit

Six feet of bed is good for so many things besides sheets though. You can haul furniture, or a four wheeler, or go truck camping. Having four seats is absolutely not a necessity and I struggle to understand why manufacturers(and customers) insist on it.

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SonovaVondruke@reddit

I have a Tacoma access cab for many of those reasons. It’s fine if you’re selling multiple bodies/beds on a model that moves a quarter million units a year. Less so if you’re expecting something in the 100k range, and even less appealing if it’s a unibody design.

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SonovaVondruke@reddit

I have a Tacoma access cab for many of those reasons. It’s fine if you’re selling multiple bodies/beds on a model that moves a quarter million units a year. Less so if you’re expecting something in the 100k range, and even less appealing if it’s a unibody design.

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Hrmerder@reddit

Yes, let’s keep prices jacked up so high nobody can afford them, so then they can come out with cheaper overpriced trucks that some people can afford to then jack up prices even higher… I’m calling bs they all need to fall

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Mike__O@reddit

The market for "small trucks" isn't booming, the market for trucks that aren't EIGHTY FUCKING GRAND and up is booming.

Manufacturers (including Toyota) have lost their damn mind with what they charge for their full-size trucks. Even a fleet Silverado or F-150 starts (STARTS!!!!!) at nearly forty grand, and realistically it's nearly impossible to drive one away for under fifty for anything you'd actually want to ride in.

If any manufacturer made a proper half-ton truck that wasn't grossly over-priced they'd sell as many as they could make. Have one that starts in the high 20s and tops out under 50 for a loaded up one and I think it would be extremely popular.

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Chrodesk@reddit

if you have 20k, most would raather a 2021 F150 than a 2025 maverick.

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Mike__O@reddit

Gonna be a pretty clapped 2021 F-150 for 20k. You need to get back to the mid 20teens to get below 20k unless you're talking about base models with laughably high mileage.

But you bring up a good point either way. Used values have been really weird after Covid, and not just for trucks. It seems like for most new vehicles there's an initial 15-20% "no longer brand new" depreciation, and the value just flatlines for years after that. It's not uncommon to see 3-4 year old vehicles going for only a few thousand dollars below what they are selling for brand new on the lot.

I think that flatline is because people just don't want to pay the outrageous prices that are being asked for new vehicles. They're letting the suckers take the initial hit on depreciation and swooping in a year or two later for what is basically the same discount you used to be able to get from a dealer before Covid made them lose their damn minds.

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BrashHarbor@reddit

I think it would be extremely popular.

4 of the 7 most popular vehicles last year were full size pickups

Why would manufacturers make lower-margin, cheap half-tons, when they're already selling them hand over fist at their current prices?

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guyfromnebraska@reddit

Presumably to appeal to the group of people who would like a truck but due to cost/size end up with a crossover. Gotta toe the line of appealing to crossover buyers without cannibalizing existing truck owners

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

F-150 STX is 42k around me. I'd argue that's damn good for what you get.

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jaaagman@reddit

A 4 door Maverick-type vehicle with a plug-in option or normal hybrid setup would devour the Maverick's marketshare. Toyota really slept on the success of the Maverick.

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HGWeegee@reddit

This is what I want, a hybrid truck that gives me the gas mileage of my current car

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DoublePostedBroski@reddit

I would not want to drive a tiny anything nowadays. Death traps.

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ZZZ-Top@reddit

Don't consider, just fucking do. Ford got it right with the Maverick dumbasses.

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0peRightBehindYa@reddit

Tiny trucks....you mean what used to be considered normal sized?

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tallon4@reddit

Corolla Cross Pickup let’s gooooo

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Life_Menu_4094@reddit

To be fair, that's not far off the concept of the original soft-top RAV4 - a body style that is objectively awesome.

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tallon4@reddit

Plus, the original RAV4 was built on the Corolla platform

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Lucreth2@reddit

Definitely not, it should be off the rav 4

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lolstebbo@reddit

Revive the bB Open Deck but as a Corolla Open Deck lol

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Repulsive-Club7866@reddit

No it’s needs to be a RAV4 pickup

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jonahtrav@reddit

I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma extended cab PreRunner and so I'd love an updated version of this, mine has 223,000 mi on it.

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SolaceinIron@reddit

Tiny trucks or what we considered a regular entry level truck 20 years ago?

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B00marangTrotter@reddit

I hope this is so successful VW brings back the rabbit truck.

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jmbre11@reddit

Put my camry drive train in a maverick and im sold.

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LordOfThePants90@reddit

DO IT! I need a truck for odds and ends. Used to have an 89 F-150 and a 91 I think, Ford ranger. These trucks have gotten so huge that as a 6'3 person I even get scared of being killed by one of them.

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PurpleSausage77@reddit

No brainer for them. It’s Toyota. They will sell like crazy. Corolla Ute.

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melie776@reddit

Small pickup trucks should never have gone away.

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JackTwoGuns@reddit

Considers making tiny trucks after making a Tacoma bigger than the Tundra was 20 years ago. We are getting to a point where “full size trucks” are approaching heavy duty status.

My grandfather had a 1999 V10 Dualie F350 that is the same size as a modern F150

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LordofSpheres@reddit

You mean, apart from the dual rear wheels, that a full size pickup truck is the same size as another full size pickup truck?

For the best part of 50 years (until 1998) Ford half tons shared their cabs with one tons. They've returned to doing so again (since I believe 2017). Full size trucks were always the same rough size as 'heavy duty' passenger trucks.

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spribyl@reddit

Revenge of the Chicken Truck

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motorik@reddit

How are suburban Americans going to haul their rugged, individualistic, assumed rural identities in bed of a truck that size?

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porterbrown@reddit

Gimmie gimmie. I want a smaller Wrangler. I want a Jimny.

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Marranyo@reddit

They could try with the Toyota Proace City.

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splurb@reddit

Seems like a no-brainer. Considering the interest KEI trucks and the interest in the sub $20K little flat bed truck they showed off a few months ago (not sold in the US). It will be interesting to see if they can do anything that's price competitive.

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Hot_Cap_4817@reddit

Wow

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thefanciestcat@reddit

I'd wait and see on that, Toyota. "Small, basic pick-up truck" is the new "brown diesel station wagon" people being $50 worth of interested in a truck they think will cost $25,000 doesn't actually say much.

The internet says it wants it, but the internet says lots of things.

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SnailOnARampage@reddit

I hope the trend of big trucks and SUVs goes the way of McMansions as Boomers die out.

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FeedbackLoopy@reddit

Boomers are over 60 and are empty nesters. They’re not buying giant SUVs. Maybe some are buying HD trucks for hauling travel trailers or toppers.

Most giant vehicle buyers are Xers and millennials now.

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imasammich@reddit

Big truck sized SUVs have been mostly dead. Current SUVs are not a boomer thing. Just about anyone in the 20s and 30s drives a midsized or crossover.

The visibility is just too good in an SUV. Heck im not sure i have seen a woman in a coupe or sedan in more than 1 outa 100.

McMansion well gl with that. That definition now just means any house over 5000 sqft and those are not going away but will never be the norm.

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