Possible Toyota competition?

[MLowe05]

I have no doubt Toyota can do whatever they set out to do, but they won't. Not in this price range.

Toyota is extremely good at selling vehicles based solely on their hard earned reputation. We've experienced it first hand, too. Our 2014 Corolla ran to 165,000 miles before we got rid of it. It never even needed brakes. 2 sets of tires, 2 batteries, and oil changes only. And everything still worked exactly as it did as new.

The 4Runner is continuing to sell.. and I think I read sales are increasing.. even though its how old now? More than 10 years right?

People trust Toyota and with good reason. I personally don't find many of their vehicles interesting. But I give respect where it is due.

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[Maverickman74]

All of these things are true, but you can't make a statement without noting that pretty much everybody would have more confidence in the reliability of the Toyota powertrain. Toyota has gotten away with little innovation, odd design choices and poor interiors, below par performance, rusting frames, and higher prices for two decades because their vehicles just keep running.

I'd love a Toyota competitor, but I sincerely doubt they could do it for <$30k (while my Mav decently optioned XLT hybrid is $24k) and I am fundamentally opposed to spending more than that on something I consider an appliance. As far as I am concerned, Ford doesn't have a competitor until someone can match their pricepoint.

My 91 comanche that has been blowing oil since i bought it nearly 4 years ago has towed 3 modern toyotas, one 2019 with a completely blown motor off the road in that time. Also 6 months ago it sucked 2 napkins and a face mask through the intake manifold. It still runs as my daily driver/hauler/ use all day long farm vehicle. Its only issue is the toyota built aw4 that has to think about reverse and wont reverse uphill in high range.

I wont call toyotas reliable from my perspective lense.

Toyota actually destroyed Ford in midsize truck sales in 2020, selling almost 3 times as many Tacomas as Ford's Ranger.

I love the look of the Maverick and can't wait to eventually get mine, but don't kid yourself about potential demand for a Toyota offering in this class.

Ranger sales were definitely hurt by bronco hype. That and the fact that you might aswell get an f150, especially when there is only a 4 cylinder option. I dont really get the current ranger myself.

I wont ever spend money on one and people that do and love to stroke the toyota is best ego just make me shake my head. Just another snake cult run by James Earl Jones in a wig.

 

[WesM]

Are you having your Chapman order courtesy shipped or going to pick it up? I'm in NoVA and plan to drive up there (if I remember correctly they weren't offering the courtesy ship by the time I ordered)?

I'm going to get a rental and drive up there to get the truck. Horsham has a hertz place right next door, so hopefully I can use them. That way if for some fluke reason the truck does not work out, I still have the rental to take home. Its about a 2.5-3 hour drive for me.

 

[stoptothink]

My 91 comanche that has been blowing oil since i bought it nearly 4 years ago has towed 3 modern toyotas, one 2019 with a completely blown motor off the road in that time. Also 6 months ago it sucked 2 napkins and a face mask through the intake manifold. It still runs as my daily driver/hauler/ use all day long farm vehicle. Its only issue is the toyota built aw4 that has to think about reverse and wont reverse uphill in high range.

I wont call toyotas reliable from my perspective lense.

Ranger sales were definitely hurt by bronco hype. That and the fact that you might aswell get an f150, especially when there is only a 4 cylinder option. I dont really get the current ranger myself.

I wont ever spend money on one and people that do and love to stroke the toyota is best ego just make me shake my head. Just another snake cult run by James Earl Jones in a wig.

Anecdotes are great, but the resale market laughs. Almost nothing has resale value like a tacoma. I'm not saying it is necessarily warranted, but that is the reputation. Toyota would sell every Maverick competitor they could make, tomorrow - but we're all postulating until they make it happen (which I doubt).

 

[theway-yay-ting]

I'm going to get a rental and drive up there to get the truck. Horsham has a hertz place right next door, so hopefully I can use them. That way if for some fluke reason the truck does not work out, I still have the rental to take home. Its about a 2.5-3 hour drive for me.

My current plan is to drive up with my son (he'll be 17 by then). He already drives my old 200k-mi CR-V when I'm not using it, and the plan is to pass it on to him when (if?) I finally get my Maverick. So then we'll turn around and both drive home...

 

[cavemold]

Im surprised chevy hasnt moved on this market latley. A s10 hybrid would sell great. Toyota should be making hybrid truck.

 

[WesM]

Im surprised chevy hasnt moved on this market latley. A s10 hybrid would sell great. Toyota should be making hybrid truck.

Yea I tend to agree, Chevy and Kia are probably the best positioned to come out with something that could compete on price with the Maverick. Kia could come out with a SC like truck, but with a much more spartan cabin, no retracting bed cover, maybe a simpler drivetrain etc and be close to the maverick on price.

Still, without a hybrid I don't think any other competitor will really have an edge on the Maverick. Ford has a huge advantage there, since they have already invested in the hybrid tech for a long time and can sell it cheaply, nobody else can really do that besides Toyota. And Toyota is not going to sell cheap.

 

[bgn]

Toyota has no interest in low margin vehicles like this one. Hell, look at how expensive the Tacomas are with an interior that was last redesigned in 2010.

I don't see them entering this market. Same with Honda.

 

[Ozuye10]

My wife’s 2022 4Runner was $40k and my 2021 Tacoma TRD Off-road was $38k. I guess the Explorer would be closest in comparison but it’s far more expensive and far less capable. The equivalent ranger has a shitbox Kmart interior and unrefined chassis for more money. Both of these vehicles stomp their competitors and you’ll never lose money on them. The only reason I’m even considering a Maverick is that I’m moving and my commute will double. I’ll probably just keep my Tacoma though.

 

[Bad Actor]

Didn't Ford and Toyota jointly develop this hybrid powertrain?

 

[ITSATRUCK]

Yea I tend to agree, Chevy and Kia are probably the best positioned to come out with something that could compete on price with the Maverick. Kia could come out with a SC like truck, but with a much more spartan cabin, no retracting bed cover, maybe a simpler drivetrain etc and be close to the maverick on price.

Still, without a hybrid I don't think any other competitor will really have an edge on the Maverick. Ford has a huge advantage there, since they have already invested in the hybrid tech for a long time and can sell it cheaply, nobody else can really do that besides Toyota. And Toyota is not going to sell cheap.

I never thought of a Santa Cruz Kia with a cheaper price point. That might actually work.

Yes being hybrid and fuel economy sold me and price point. Maverick is also perfect forum factor for EV. My guess is Ford will be out the gate with a Maverick EV and if they can make them will clean up.

 

[Hdang1980]

Keep it under 200 inches long and they got my money for sure.

 

[Maverickman74]

Anecdotes are great, but the resale market laughs. Almost nothing has resale value like a tacoma. I'm not saying it is necessarily warranted, but that is the reputation. Toyota would sell every Maverick competitor they could make, tomorrow - but we're all postulating until they make it happen (which I doubt).

Of course this will never make me rich or popular but i just live, think, spend, and talk based on things I know are right. I liken toyotas cult following and reputation propoganda, to well, cults and propoganda. Popular doesnt mean good, it means popular. I drag dead toyotas off the road with 30 year old american junk, thats all i know.

 

[Old Ranchero]

Honda could either downsize the Ridgeline, or base it off the CR-V, both successful, proven platforms.

please explain how you would "downsize" a unibody vehicle that is already based on an existing mini-van platform? I'm not sure you could profitably make it narrower, shorter, lower or lighter to compete with Maverick without starting over with a clean page. Also would probably have to use smaller engines.

 

[Wire4money]

that's because Ranger is based on 10 years old global platform converted for American market. Most people I suspect would rather wait for the next gen Ranger- unless they need a truck NOW and get a good deal.

The current gen Tacoma is based on a nearly 20 year old platform including the rear drum brakes.

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