Toyota EPU EV concept, a Maverick competitor?

[Connect]

Could the Toyota EPU concept be a glimpse of a Maverick competitor? The thing I find interesting is that (can't remember who) a Toyota guy recently there was no plans for a small truck and now this concept just a couple of months later. All speculation at this point but interesting concept for sure.

https://www.motor1.com/news/692528/toyota-epu-concept-japan-mobility-2023/

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[Bob The Builder]

I would pass on that. Not for me in the least. Of course it is a concept so it will be nerfed big time IF they were to build such a thing. No way that steering wheel lives past concept. In its current itineration it is just awful.

 

[OneAlienBoi]

I don't hate it visually, particularly the side surfacing and character lines between the wheels. The proportions also aren't terrible. But the front and rear ends have zero personality or visual punch. From the front, it looks a bit like a lifted Corolla with some smoothed over edges blended with some of VW's EVs. Likely designed for areo over visual appeal. More traditional looking than the sante Cruz, not as rugged as the maverick.

As an EV, I highly doubt this would touch to maverick in terms of pricing. Even if Toyota brings it here, it probably won't be for several more years. By then, we'll have a second gen maverick with its own EV version.

Seems like too little, too late from Toyota here. It's not trash, but it's not something that makes me think the maverick has a reason to worry.

 

[Flub]

This is the ugliest truck I've ever seen, and I've seen the Santa Cruz! Is this only EV?

 

[icegradner]

From the front, it looks a bit like a lifted Corolla with some smoothed over edges...

Rumors did say that Toyota's version would be based on the Corolla Cross or RAV4 platform. So that sounds about right. Looks more modern than the Maverick for sure. If you like a modern looking vehicle, not one from 2002 like the Maverick, it's fine.

 

[OleFordGuy]

I could sorta live with it if it ever shows up but don’t care for the front end at all. Still like the existing maverick better from an exterior perspective. Consumers for this vehicle segment need some good competitive choices to keep manufacturers in check. Love to see a competitor from all the manufacturers

 

[OneAlienBoi]

Rumors did say that Toyota's version would be based on the Corolla Cross or RAV4 platform. So that sounds about right. Looks more modern than the Maverick for sure. If you like a modern looking vehicle, not one from 2002 like the Maverick, it's fine.

Eh, the maverick has what's called a timeless design. It would look good in 2002, 2022, or 2052. Solid proportions, good surface, nice graphics, etc.

 

[LSchicago]

Not really a maverick competitor, as this is electric only. It would probably start at $40K.

 

[OneAlienBoi]

Not really a maverick competitor, as this is electric only. It would probably start at $40K.

Which is why I said "competitor" in the thread title. It's a small, car based unibody truck with a four door cab and a shortish bed. That makes it the closest thing we're gonna get to a maverick rival from Toyota.

But, as stated in my original comment, making it an EV is gonna price it above the lower priced mavericks most likely. Is it possible Toyota is able to work their magic and make this a 25k EV? Yes, but I don't find that particularly likely.

 

[Connect]

ha ha, yall are pretty funny. Obviously an EV wouldn't be a competitor to Maverick.... but this is a concept.... like the concept EV pick up Toyota showed a couple of years ago that ended up being the next Tacoma....that is not EV. Probably similar comments made then 'it's an EV, not going to compete with Ranger, GM Twins, etc.'

 

[Traegorn]

I think for a lot of us who went hybrid an EV truck is a Maverick competitor. Not for right now, but I decided when I bought this truck that it would probably be my last ICE vehicle (I plan on driving the Maverick for at least ten years so that shouldn't be hard).

By the time this thing comes to market, I'll be looking at replacing my other vehicle -- and depending on the specs of whatever actual truck comes out of this, I might consider it.

(I think it looks pretty cool, honestly -- but how the looks of a concept end up translating to eventual production vehicles is always a crap shoot)

 

[RR - All the way]

This is the ugliest truck I've ever seen, and I've seen the Santa Cruz! Is this only EV?

Only because you have not yet seen the Tesla truck in person.....................

 

[Exranger]

This is the ugliest truck I've ever seen, and I've seen the Santa Cruz! Is this only EV?

Did you see the Tesla cybertruck?

 

[RedRider]

That's not a competitor, any more than the nonexistent Stout is. I think that Toyota is missing a lot of the selling points of the Mav, with a lifted truck that makes it hard to get into, limited range and the stupidly long recharge time that they are becoming famous for, a very questionable front design and a really retro tail of a rounded 2000 Sport Trac that nobody liked. Also don't forget that it takes Toyota a minimum of 10 years to actually get a prototype into production, so don't bother waiting for it. Style-wise, it does not look like a truck, but more like a Subaru Brat or a Santa Cruz to look like a wannabe on the beach. Also Toyota does not yet have a suitable drivetrain in their inventory to do truck things, so expect lots of drivetrain failures under warranty.

 

[dusty1787]

EDIT: Turns out I did not look hard enough a few postings on here already for it*

Just came across this news article and do not appear to see anything posted about it yet on MTC. Looks to be pretty official via Toyota but with vagueness as well, with the strong possibility that it does not get built. But potential to put pressure on Ford/others to make a small EV Truck showing they have one lined up.

They do state that it is "roughly 199" long" which is exactly the same length of the Maverick...so who knows. But again still technically a concept, but possibly the small pickup they could build.

https://www.businessinsider.com/toy...-pickup-truck-concept-maverick-tacoma-2023-10

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