Newer smaller Toyota truck model?

I have been saying for a while that I'd like to see a newer small Toyota pickup. I own a 3rd gen and a 1992 Toyota Pickup. I much prefer the size of the 1992. The bed holds more than my 3rd gen DCLB too. It seems like most of the enlarged size in newer trucks is just fluff anyway.

 

And don't the Maverick and Ridgeline have a higher payload capacity than any doublecab Tacoma? That sounds pretty trucky too.

 

What’s funny is according to Edmonds, a 2022 AC V6 4x4 has a payload of 1,285 lbs

And a 2000 AC V6 4x4 has a payload of 1679 lbs.

GVWR has gone up by 500 lbs, but I guess it all got eaten by safety features and bling.

 

When has Toyota released a smaller pickup that people have mocked?

I think there's a difference, though, between just a small pickup, and a vehicle on a car chassis that has an open bed.

When you compare something like the Maverick, to, say my 25 year old 5-lug Tacoma. It gets less MPGs and can tow only 60% what my '97 5-lug could. Modern technology should be stepping forward in capabilities, not backwards.

Seeing as how the new Tundra is rated at 26mpg and can tow 10,000+#, those MPG numbers for the Maverick (that can only tow 2000#) don't sound very impressive.

 

Gotta find a nice 22 RE !

 

Samari & Subaru Brat ?
Guess they all have their place and a market.

 

And yet, Ford is selling a lot of them. I agree with you though, I wouldn't want such a vehicle. What I'd really like is a contemporary take on what the Tacoma used to be: smaller, versatile, and capable with 4WD options.

 

EPA rating on the hybrid Tundra is 22mpg, and it starts at $53k. Maverick can tow 4k lbs with the tow package and is in the low $20k range. Can't imagine anyone cross shopping the two.

 

Honestly I don't mind all the "nanny" stuff, creature comforts etc..., at least on a daily driver. I really like (most of) the 'modern' stuff on my '17 4Runner as a daily driver. Quiet, easy to drive, etc... I just don't prefer the size. Ideally, I'd have all that modern stuff crammed into the size of a 3rd gen. But I was willing to compromise on the size in order to get something new.

Only reason I wouldn't be all over that is because I'm not in the market for that kind of truck. I'm looking at a Tundra as the new Tow vehicle. Which again, the size thing. I hate how big they are, but I did move to the country where my 4Runner is a "small" truck lol. It's like going to Costco and seeing that 5 gallon tub of mayo as a "reasonable purchase" lol.

But that Maverick. Like WTF?! 2000# towing with 26 MPGs? The Tundra tows 5x that with about the same mileage. I could squeeze 30mpg out of my old 5-lug that could tow 3500.

 

I saw my first Maverick today driving by. It was a blue top of the line model and I was impressed with what I saw going by. It looks like a 2/3rd scale F150. Ford has a winner with that low starting price. Its to bad Toyota hasnt got on board with a smaller truck. The only downside is that it is still a Ford.The only way that could get worse is if Chevrolet or Dodge built it.
I think those will sell well for people not needing a big truck or people who live in the city and just need some extra room to haul something. I wanted my wife to look at one since she refuses to buy another Toyota. Wound up with a new Mazda CX5 instead. Ill like that car if I ever figure out the Sky crap they stuck in it.

 

That was my take too. It's a very nice looking rig and I can see why they would sell quite well given the price, even though I would never buy one. Which got me thinking about a smaller Toyota truck offering

 

I don't believe so CrustyTaco, trucks got bigger because Americans got bigger.....As in fat !

 

Probably some truth to that as well...bigger truck = I don't feel so fat when I cram myself in it

 

This would be nice here in the USA... Suzuki Jimny, Very simple inside and out with solid axles front and rear.



And this from Toyota in 2024/5. BEV

 

Yeah, there's obviously a market for them, just like there's a market for Smart Cars.

But at least for the Maverick, it seems like a solution looking for a problem that doesn't really exist. Like, you could get a car that gets 40mpgs to tow a small utility trailer with more weight capacity.

The specs I saw didn't include a tow package. I do now see that with a tow package there's a 4k limit. Honestly still not very impressive.

I wasn't talking about the Hybrid Tundra since until recently they hadn't released the specs. I was hoping the hybrid would see a decent improvement on the MPGs but that doesn't appear to be the case. Non-hybrid still gets 24 on the hwy and starts at $35k.

I wasn't saying that people are cross shopping these two truck, only comparing the fact that other vehicles get the similar mileage and can tow a great deal more. I also mentioned that my 25 year old 5 lug got better mileage and towed more (at least according to the specs linked above). You can get a 25 year old 5-lug for like 6 grand. So again, not impressive at all.

 

Who is buying all those Mavericks? I have only seen one on two different occasions. Toyota would do well if they could have created more cabin space in the 3rd gen, as mentioned it has grown in size. With the exception of passenger and cargo room.

I was looking at the new EV H1, the fenders are way wider than the cab. Which gives the H1 a nice appearance, but as wide as the truck is. The cab could be widened to provide more interior space. You know where the people sit and want to be comfortable. The H1 probably has enough cabin space as is.

I just think vehicle designers could make vehicles more functional for the occupants inside.

Back to the Maverick, the cab is the largest part of the truck and probably provides plenty of space.

 

What car would that be? Would be genuinely interested in something like that.

Guy I work with bought one. Younger guy, wanted to get something new, didn't want to spend a lot, didn't want to deal with the used market, only needs a truck bed a couple times a month, never tows. I think it checks a lot of boxes for the average suburban truck owner that is going to load their bed down with bagged mulch twice a year and bring home their new furniture purchases.

 

Honestly if the Maverick were available when I was shopping for a pickup I'd probably have bought it. A 20k ish pickup that gets good fuel economy and can haul some stuff around is perfect for me. I mean it will not be as fun as the Taco off road but I'm in NJ the most off roading I can do is a dirt fire road which face it my wife's SUV can handle.

If Toyota made a $20k smaller pickup or ute whatever I'd def consider it. Stuff a little 2.0 non turbo 4 in it, get me 35-40mpg and a 5 foot bed and I'm all set. Throw in a bed extender and even better.

 

My idea of a small worthy ford pickup through the years....

 

Towing capacity on your 5 lug was not 6600lbs. The maverick has a 4000lb tow package option. It does have a slightly lower payload, but would be far more capable and safe hauling 1500lbs than your 5 lug would have been.

it gets worse mileage (not by much, and not at real modern highway speeds) but is vastly more powerful and capable. Oh, and it does so while equipped with modern AWD.

It can actually tow its capacity at freeway speeds with brakes that are capable of stopping the load.

The maverick is in literally every way (except nostalgia) better than your 5 lug. technology has moved forward. I love my 99, but it’s objectively worse than anything new.