Toyota is reportedly considering the introduction of a new small pickup truck that could potentially arrive in 2027. This new truck would be based on the Corolla Cross SUV platform and could compete with models like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Currently, Toyota has trucks like the Tacoma and Tundra covering the mid-size and full-size segments. However, there’s a possibility for a smaller, crossover-based pickup to fit in below these models. The idea is to create a compact pickup truck that shares components with the Corolla Cross subcompact SUV. The name for this potential truck is still unknown, but Toyota might consider reviving a historical name like “Stout” from its past lineup.
Similar to how the Maverick and Bronco Sport, as well as the Santa Cruz and Tucson, share components, the Corolla-based pickup would likely borrow parts from the Corolla Cross. This truck could feature a crew-cab setup with seating for five passengers and a short cargo bed in place of the crossover’s hatch.
Considering it’s Toyota, hybrid power is expected for this new pickup. The Corolla Cross SUV’s hybrid setup, which offers 196 horsepower and all-wheel drive, achieving an EPA combined rating of 42 mpg, could be the standard powertrain for the truck. Toyota might enhance this setup to support towing and payload capacity. In comparison, the optional hybrid drivetrain in the Maverick produces 191 horsepower and has a combined rating of 37 mpg, but it’s only available with front-wheel drive.
While the potential launch of this pickup is a few years away, it’s likely that it would be based on an updated version of the Corolla Cross, rather than the current model that debuted in 2022. The Corolla Cross is currently manufactured in a joint factory between Toyota and Mazda in Alabama. However, reports indicate that if the pickup becomes a reality, it would be built alongside the Corolla sedan in Mississippi.
