The comments come as demand for smaller pickups continues to draw attention, particularly following the strong commercial performance of the Ford Maverick. While several manufacturers have largely stayed away from the segment, Toyota has openly discussed the possibility of developing a truck based on one of its existing crossover platforms.
The topic emerged during an interview with Yoshinori Futonagane, chief engineer of the Toyota RAV4. The discussion centered on whether Toyota could create a pickup derived from its best-selling crossover, a concept that has been considered internally despite the absence of a production program.
Toyota Acknowledges Interest in a Unibody Pickup
Speaking with Australian publication Drive, Yoshinori Futonagane said Toyota has discussed building a pickup based on the RAV4. He also made clear that the company has “no official plans” to move forward with such a vehicle.
During the interview, Futonagane described the appeal of the segment in direct terms. “The market for a monocoque pickup truck is quite appealing,” he said. “Deep in our heart of hearts, we all think, ‘wouldn’t that be fun?’”
The remarks suggest that interest exists within Toyota, even though the project has not progressed into an official development plan.
The Maverick Continues To Stand Out in the Compact Truck Segment
The interview took place in Australia, a market where pickup trucks, known locally as utes, remain popular. Even so, Australia’s truck market is considerably smaller than that of the United States.
Australia’s best-selling vehicle in 2025 was the Ford Ranger, with 56,555 units sold. In comparison, the Ford F-Series, the top-selling vehicle in the United States, recorded 828,832 sales. The Ranger sold 70,960 units in the U.S., exceeding its total sales in Australia.
The Ford Maverick performed particularly well in 2025. Ford sold 155,051 Mavericks during the year, surpassing the larger Ranger. The model’s affordable pricing, compact dimensions and available hybrid powertrain were cited as key factors behind its success.
The Maverick’s only direct competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, sold 25,499 units during the same period. Hyundai has since announced plans to discontinue the Santa Cruz and replace it with a larger body-on-frame truck designed to compete with the Ranger.
Toyota Weighs Demand Against the Success of the Tacoma
Toyota recognizes demand for another vehicle in the Maverick’s mold. The publication noted that the RAV4’s hybrid powertrain and interior layout could serve as a foundation for such a product.
At the same time, Toyota must consider the position of the Tacoma within its lineup. The Tacoma was the best-selling midsize truck in 2025, with 274,638 units sold.
The model maintained a substantial lead over its closest rival. Chevrolet’s Colorado ranked second in the segment with 107,867 sales last year.
Toyota may be cautious about introducing a smaller pickup that could draw buyers away from one of its most successful vehicles, even if the effect were limited. The publication also noted that potential names discussed in rumors include Hilux and Stout, though no official name has been announced and no production plans have been confirmed.
