Rumor: Toyota RAV4 Truck Will Tackle the Ford Maverick for Revenge

[MD_Maverick]

not pretty, and since it won't be avail till '24. you'd get your maverick first.

i wouldn’t jump to that conclusion, Ford is focused more on the lightning and the Mach-e than the Maverick

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[MD_Maverick]

If Honda comes out with an affordable small truck I’m leaving this Ford Maverick waiting line ASAP.

 

[HIGHvoltage22]

This rumor has been kicking around for a bit now. While nothing is an absolute or a fact, I can't understand for the life of me why no other car companies have copied the Maverick formula:

Step 1: take existing crossover SUV with optional hybrid engine (the Escape, Rav4, Tucson)
Step 2: stretch the chassis slightly and add a 4 to 5 foot open bed
Step 3: configure the base level trim at an attractive price point (under 30k)
Step 4: profit

People want this type of vehicle, especially if a hybrid is available. Toyota has been in the hybrid game longer than almost any other brand AND they were one of the first into the compact truck market. Something like the Maverick would fit well in their lineup and would likely sell on brand name alone. That being said, I would definitely expect anything from Toyota to be more expensive than the Maverick (at least here in the New England).

The first company that brings a comparable hybrid mini truck to market and (actually has the mean to build it, unlike Ford) will steal the Maverick's crown. The only reason that I can think of as to why Hyundai has not offered the Santa Cruz in a hybrid (using the Tucson hybrid system from which the chassis is based) is that Hyundai actually did their homework and figured out they would be unable to meet production demand for a new hybrid model, and therefore didn't offer it as an option.

TL/DR: While there is no official word on Toyota building a direct Maverick competitor, I totally believe it is possible they're working on something for as early as 2024.

 

[fossil]

Just in from Airbiscuit, VW fights back!!!

 

[Shepherd_Book]

Nope. The C pillars kill it every time for me.

I don't hate it. Would depend on if I could get it in a PHEV and price. If it costs $8k more than a Maverick, they can keep it.

 

[earlyhike]

What makes for a Maverick competitor anyway?

I doubt anyone else will propose a true competitor that meets Mavericks big 4: Price, Size, MPG, and Truck-ness. There's a reason the small truck market faded, because its impossible to make a profit on small trucks. Maverick's next closest competitor falls short in both price and MPG. I think Ford's commitment to these 4 values will be hard to match. Is the Maverick really a sustainable profit maker or is it a gamble to sell bigger trucks in the long term? There have been alot of great budget vehicles over the years that got nixed because they never made money. I'm hoping Maverick isn't one of those. I genuinely hope other manufacturers try to figure out the small truck market again but I doubt few (if any) will attempt to compete on all 4 of these areas. So I expect any other competitors that come out to fall short of what Ford is achieving here. IMO.

 

[uh50]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/com...A1399VA?cvid=91c16c2786f5400b94b7473081422d4f

Will be my pick, if Ford can not deliver my 2023 order

Toyota makes great vehicles, but then so does everyone else. The problem I have with Toyota is their overall design concepts. They seem to take their design cues from a whim that someone has and I just like more conservative designs. But, that's just me.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I have a 2017 RAV4. Not pretty on the outside, but if you buy only sheetmetal and paint, you're in big trouble.
I can't see the homely front end from the driver's seat, so it doesn't bother me. Apparently, it doesn't bother used car buyers, either. My RAV is worth almost as much as I gave for it over 5 years ago. 10% depreciation in 5 years. Not bad. Of course that will change if the used car market ever gets back to normal.

One rule is "When it's worth this much it's a good time to sell". Of course "with money worth this little is it really"

 

[OofMadonn]

I mean... it looks better than the Santa Cruz, I guess?

 

[B2000]

The Santa Cruz was shown as a concept vehicle in 2015 and they finally started shipping them in 2022. Not saying every vehicle will take 7 years but they take a while. There is a lot of engineering and fights with the production team, sales department and the bean counters and then they have to pass safety and mpg restrictions in multiple markets. Unless some of these companies have hidden some really advanced mules we are years from seeing anything.

 

[Sirk]

That's just a stock image of a Maverick that some joker photoshopped.
Not really sure what this image has to do with the article...

Newsflash! Not everything you read/see on the internet (or internet forums) is real/factual.

 

[Adeveda]

Oof. Why are they making it a pick-up car? The maverick's design works so well because it's designed to look like a downsized pick-up truck. Forsaking the truck aesthetic will be a total flop. Trucks have a distinct identity tied to them. Now, offer me a maverick-sized Tacoma? Take all my money.

 

[SLINGSHOT]

Toyota makes great vehicles, but then so does everyone else. The problem I have with Toyota is their overall design concepts. They seem to take their design cues from a whim that someone has and I just like more conservative designs. But, that's just me.

As I said in the post after yours if you buy based on sheetmetal and paint, you're in big trouble.
An old saying: "All show and no go."

 

[Dad]

This is the photo of the Rav truck as shown in the MSN website that was posted. As far as looks, this truck is galaxies away from the smooth lines of the Maverick. Eye pollution.
At least Ford had the "balls" to design a completely new vehicle that looked very much like it should; a truck!

 

[Dad]

Oof. Why are they making it a pick-up car? The maverick's design works so well because it's designed to look like a downsized pick-up truck. Forsaking the truck aesthetic will be a total flop. Trucks have a distinct identity tied to them. Now, offer me a maverick-sized Tacoma? Take all my money.

Excellent points about the truck design. You lost me, however, at the Tacoma. Sorry.

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