Is Toyota Making A Compact Truck? Here’s What We Know

Americans love pickup trucks. In 2022, pickup trucks accounted for roughly 20% of the U.S. passenger vehicle market, thus making the pickup truck segment the 2nd best-selling category in the country after crossover SUVs. In fact, the Ford F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in the States for over 40 years now.

The full-size pickup truck class is currently the biggest group in terms of sales, and it is currently dominated by models from the “big three” American brands, namely the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and the Ram Pickup. The Toyota Tundra has its followers, but the Japanese half-tonner hasn’t been able to reach the podium position.

The mid-size pickup truck class is a different story, though. Accounting for almost 40% of midsize pickup truck sales last 2022, the Toyota Tacoma is the class leader, as it has been for almost two decades now.

In the last two years, however, the U.S. pickup truck segment has seen some significant changes in terms of unit sales. In 2022, the full-size class shrank by almost 9% compared to 2021, while the midsize truck class dipped by 4.4%. Analysts cite the global economic downturn and supply issues as the main causes of the reduced sales. Curiously, however, the small or compact pickup truck class grew by 376%, with the new Ford Maverick enjoying a huge lead over the similarly-nascent Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Ford Maverick is currently in its 2nd model year, but it has already sold twice as many units (50,126 from Jan-July 2023) compared to its veteran midsize Ranger brother (28,433 units from Jan-July 2023).

With such significant changes happening in the pickup truck segment, the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma may need some help defending the brand’s position. Fortunately for Toyota fans, the Japanese automotive giant seems to be preparing its champion for the compact pickup truck class. So, what do we know about Toyota’s upcoming compact pickup truck? Read on and enjoy!

Does Toyota Make Compact Pickups?

Currently, the midsize Toyota Tacoma is the smallest pickup model that the Japanese automaker offers in the North American market. However, the pickup truck community has been abuzz with speculations that Toyota is reviving the Stout as a compact pickup truck.

Toyota originally launched the Stout back in 1964 for the U.S. market. However, with only 86 hp from a 1.9-liter, 4-cylinder engine, the original Toyota Stout didn’t do well against the straight-6 and V8 American pickups like the Ford F-Series, Chevy C-10, and Dodge D-100. Nevertheless, the Stout lay the foundation for some of America’s most well-known Toyota pickups today – the Tacoma, Tundra, and Hilux.

Toyota has been mum on whether the Stout will be returning to the market. However, several facts point to the Toyota Stout’s likely comeback.

1. Last 2022, Toyota registered the “Stout” name in Argentina.
2. Toyota North America’s SVP of Automotive Operations revealed that Toyota is interested in the compact pickup truck class.
3. Finally, Toyota North America’s SVP of Product and BEVs hinted that Toyota is developing something that could slot under the Tacoma.

Using these pieces of information, industry analysts and enthusiasts deduced that Toyota is indeed reviving the Stout as a monocoque compact pickup truck.

What Do We Know About The Toyota Stout?

Toyota USA has released no official confirmation about the arrival of the new Toyota Stout. However, we can make some forecasts by analyzing the recent clues in relation to Toyota’s current lineup and future electrification goals.

1. The new Toyota Stout will probably be based on the TNGA-K platform – the same foundation Toyota uses for its midsize models like the RAV4, Highlander, and Lexus RX.
2. Toyota may tap on the award-winning design of the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV Concept and use it for the Toyota Stout, as digitally rendered by HotCars artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel in this article.
3. The upcoming Toyota Stout has plenty of engine options that it can adopt from the current Highlander and RAV4.
4. A Toyota Stout Hybrid trim will likely join the lineup.
5. Barring any radical economic changes, the Toyota Stout compact pickup truck will likely have a starting price below $25,000.
6. Toyota may launch the new Stout by mid-2024 and begin commercial sales by 2025.

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What Engine Will The Toyota Stout Have?

By using the TNGA-K platform, the new Toyota Stout will get either the 2023 Highlander’s 2.4-liter turbo I4 engine (265 hp, 310 lb-ft) or the 2023 RAV4’s 2.5-liter Dynamic Force mill (203 hp, 184 lb-ft). With the Highlander’s gas-fed turbo powerplant, the 2025 Toyota Stout will have more muscle than the 2023 Ford Maverick EcoBoost (250 hp, 277 lb-ft) and better fuel economy than the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz (22 – 23 MPG combined fuel economy rating).

Toyota Stout VS Ford Maverick VS Hyundai Santa Cruz: Gas Engine

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Will The Toyota Stout Be Hybrid?

One of the Ford Maverick’s strongest selling points is that it has a hybrid base trim. As the pioneer and industry leader in modern hybrid car engines, Toyota will likely use its technology and experience to arm the Toyota Stout with a robust yet economical hybrid powertrain to dethrone the Ford Maverick. The 2025 Toyota Stout may use the current RAV4’s 2.5-liter hybrid gas engine (219 hp, 38 MPG), or a more souped-up version of same A25A-FXS hybrid mill that produces more power (243 hp, 35 MPG) for the 2023 Highlander Hybrid.

Toyota Stout Hybrid VS Ford Maverick Hybrid

Based on the 2023 Toyota Highlander’s utility ratings, the 2025 Toyota Stout may probably trump the towing and payload ratings of the 2023 Ford Maverick and 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. For example, the 2023 Toyota Highlander (4,595-lb curb weight) can haul up to 1,715 lbs and tow up to 5,000 lbs. The 2025 Toyota Stout will probably weigh less (roughly 3,700 – 3,800 lbs), so by using the same engine and platform, the Stout will likely match or exceed the Highlander’s towing and payload capacities.

Towing And Payload Ratings: Toyota Stout VS Ford Maverick VS Hyundai Santa Cruz

Is The Toyota Stout 4-Wheel Drive?

To enhance the compact pickup truck’s utility (and perhaps off-road performance as well), Toyota will likely give the Toyota Stout an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, especially for higher trims. The TNGA-K platform has the drivetrain layout for this, as shown by the AWD and electric AWD trims of the RAV4 and Highlander.

Will The Toyota Stout Be Available In 2024?

Toyota has not yet released any official news or teasers about the possible launch and selling dates of its upcoming compact pickup truck. However, since Toyota already has a registered model name, an award-winning design concept, an existing TNGA-K platform, and several drivetrain options, it’s highly possible that the company will launch the Toyota Stout sometime in 2024 in preparation for the 2025 model year.

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How Much Is The Toyota Stout?

Toyota may be a bit late to the compact pickup truck party, but the company now has real market information to help position the new Toyota Stout competitively. For instance, the 2023 Ford Maverick currently leads in sales with a starting price of $23,400, while the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz trails behind with its more premium $26,650 base price tag. To wrest the leadership away from the Maverick, the 2025 Toyota Stout will likely have a base price of $23,000 to $24,000.

Toyota Stout Price