Possible Toyota competition?

[Ranger5.0]

https://www.drivingline.com/article...could-be-toyotas-answer-to-the-ford-maverick/

Ever since we got our RAV4 Prime I have been wishing Toyota would make a small truck version with this exact drivetrain. It offers the best of both worlds with power and fuel economy. It would surely come in at a higher price point than the Maverick, but after driving the Prime for a year I have nothing but praise for it. Do it, Toyota!!!!!

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[Decayed]

Good to see there will be competition to keep everyone on their toes. Toyota should do well with a rav 4 based pickup provided they keep the price down to realistic levels.

 

[theway-yay-ting]

I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Sadly, from the article, "The current generation RAV4 has been on the market since 2019, so a pickup version would most likely arrive with an updated next-gen model in another two years or so, but you’d have to think Toyota is at least considering it. "

 

[Dochatley]

If Toyota can keep the price comparable they’d be #1 in small trucks. I’d be tempted.

 

[Topdog!]

Makes sense. Toyota would corner the market. Probably would figure out the supply chain issues with chips a lot better than Ford will. They would sell as many as they could make

 

[WesM]

I would bet if a Toyota compact hybrid truck came to market at a base price of 24k, maybe included cruise control in the base trim, they would give Ford a hard time. Even at a slightly higher base cost, the Toyota quality perception would give them an edge. Plus, Toyota Hybrids have a 10 year 150k mile warranty on the battery.

 

[Naranjita]

I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Sadly, from the article, "The current generation RAV4 has been on the market since 2019, so a pickup version would most likely arrive with an updated next-gen model in another two years or so, but you’d have to think Toyota is at least considering it. "

And the key part of that quote is actually, "but you’d have to think Toyota is at least considering it."

So this is just a dream of the writer. But I guess everything starts with a dream. But it would be nice if it was at least Toyota's dream!

 

[theway-yay-ting]

And the key part of that quote is actually, "but you’d have to think Toyota is at least considering it."

So this is just a dream of the writer. But I guess everything starts with a dream. But it would be nice if it was at least Toyota's dream!

I hope it's Nissan's dream and Honda's dream (and ideally for an old Mopar guy like me, RAM's dream, but not holding my breath there...) too. Competition is good for all of us.

Ford based the Maverick on the proven Escape SUV platform, and as far as design knocked the ball out of the park. Features of an SUV with the utility of a small truck, excellent fuel economy (even the non-hybrid variant), fun to drive & easy to park, and very low priced!

Toyota (RAV-4) & Nissan (Rogue) & Honda (CR-V) have popular proven hybrid SUVs they could spin off into something similar (and all have more mid-size truck-ish platforms as well - Tacoma/Frontier/Ridgeline). Spinoffs from these manufacturers would cost more than the Maverick, but in all likelihood would be extremely popular.

 

[Naranjita]

I hope it's Nissan's dream and Honda's dream (and ideally for an old Mopar guy like me, RAM's dream, but not holding my breath there...) too. Competition is good for all of us.

Ford based the Maverick on the proven Escape SUV platform, and as far as design knocked the ball out of the park. Features of an SUV with the utility of a small truck, excellent fuel economy (even the non-hybrid variant), fun to drive & easy to park, and very low priced!

Toyota (RAV-4) & Nissan (Rogue) & Honda (CR-V) have popular proven hybrid SUVs they could spin off into something similar (and all have more mid-size truck-ish platforms as well - Tacoma/Frontier/Ridgeline). Spinoffs from these manufacturers would cost more than the Maverick, but in all likelihood would be extremely popular.

Yes, more competition and expansion of the space will be good. It will keep Ford investing in the Maverick too!

 

[ITSATRUCK]

Toyota cant make enough RAV4s to keep up with demand. The next generation Maverick will be out before Toyota gets in the game if they decide too.

My guess is Honda will put out a Maverick competitor before Toyota. I was thinking today how the Maverick is everything the Ridgline should have been. Honda should just scale down the ridgeline and get better fuel economy. Next gen Ridgline should compete in same class as Maverick.

 

[Dun4791]

Imagine a compact pickup based on the rav4, Toyota quality,Tacoma like resale values.

 

[Maverickman74]

Toyota competing against Ford, thats a laugh. I wonder if they will make it uncomfortable, too small inside, put all the controls in weird places, and design a bunch of nonsense under the hood with this one too?

 

[theway-yay-ting]

Toyota competing against Ford, thats a laugh. I wonder if they will make it uncomfortable, too small inside, put all the controls in weird places, and design a bunch of nonsense under the hood with this one too?

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.

 

[Bear]

If they did I would put a down payment on one and still keep my order for the Maverick. Whichever one comes in first I will take and cancel the other order.

 

[Old Ranchero]

Toyota cant make enough RAV4s to keep up with demand. The next generation Maverick will be out before Toyota gets in the game if they decide too.

My guess is Honda will put out a Maverick competitor before Toyota. I was thinking today how the Maverick is everything the Ridgline should have been. Honda should just scale down the ridgeline and get better fuel economy. Next gen Ridgline should compete in same class as Maverick.

likely would not be economical for Honda unless they used and existing smaller platform.

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