Product availability is a big part of the story for sure. A large percentage of Maverick buyers (just under half, last I read?) are converts from cars/SUVs - people who don't want big trucks, but will gladly take a smaller one if it's priced reasonably. Toyota wouldn't be readying their own...
Ehhh...Fakebook. Not worth consideration.
IRL I'm surrounded by people who love high gas mileage, "Midwest nice," and old Ford Rangers and Chevy S10s that are around the same size. All positive interactions so far, mostly "That's a great color" and "You get HOW many miles per gallon?!"