Toyota is seriously considering a move into the compact pickup segment, and its potential new model could become a direct threat to the Ford Maverick.
The Maverick has spent the past few years defining a new class of urban work vehicles in the United States. Its mix of small size, useful cargo space, and efficient powertrains helped Ford reach buyers who did not need a larger truck.
Tetsuo Ogawa, president of Toyota Motor North America, confirmed to Automotive News that Toyota sees strong potential in a pickup based on the current RAV4 crossover.
That would give Toyota a different way to use one of its most important nameplates, especially at a time when compact trucks are becoming more appealing to American buyers.
Ford Maverick Proved The Formula Works
Ford introduced the Maverick in 2021 on the C2 platform, which is also used by models such as the Escape, Bronco Sport, and Europe’s Focus. The idea was simple: a compact pickup with car-like driving manners, efficient engines, and a more accessible price.
That formula quickly connected with U.S. customers, especially those who wanted truck utility without moving up to an F Series or Ranger. For several years, the Maverick had the segment largely to itself.
Momentum has started to soften. Ford sold 155,051 Mavericks in the United States during 2023, down 1.5% from the previous year.
The first four months of 2026 brought a sharper decline, with sales falling 17.3% to 48,157 units.
Ford Is Trying To Keep Interest Alive
Ford has already tried to refresh attention around the Maverick with new versions. The updated model arrived in mid-2024, followed by the sportier Lobo and the more powerful Maverick 300T later in the year.
That 300T version shows how seriously Ford is treating competition. Its modified 122 cubic inch EcoBoost turbo engine uses a new turbocharger with a larger turbine diameter.
Output rises to 304 horsepower, turning the compact pickup into one of the quickest vehicles in its class.
Toyota Could Use RAV4 Hybrid Hardware
The future pickup would reportedly use an updated TNGA K platform and share much of its technical foundation with the RAV4. That means Toyota would likely focus entirely on hybrid versions.
The base setup would use a 152-cubic-inch naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with an electromechanical CVT.
Total output would depend on the version. A front-wheel-drive model would make 229 horsepower, while an all-wheel-drive version with an additional rear electric motor would produce 239 horsepower.
The most interesting option could be the plug-in hybrid setup. Toyota already uses a 324 horsepower system in the RAV4 PHEV, along with a 22.7 kWh battery.
That version can travel up to about 54 miles on electric power alone, which could give a future compact pickup a useful advantage in daily urban driving.
A Serious New Rival For Ford
Ford’s current Maverick hybrids are more modest by comparison. The base hybrid makes 164 horsepower with front-wheel drive, while the all-wheel-drive version adds 30 horsepower.
The alternative is Ford’s familiar 122 cubic inch EcoBoost turbo engine with 253 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in the Lobo.
If Toyota approves the new pickup, the compact truck market in the United States could gain one of its strongest new players in years.
A mix of proven hybrid technology, strong efficiency, and the RAV4’s reputation could give Toyota exactly the right formula to challenge a segment Ford has dominated with very little direct competition.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.