Toyota has been here before—the predecessors to the modern Tacoma were truly compact, cheap trucks. Executives say “decisions have been made” and it’s “not a matter of ‘if,’ at this point” for a new small pickup. The future model will use the unibody TNGA architecture and can use Toyota’s hybrid powertrain system.
Toyota’s goal is a lightweight, fuel-efficient work truck: “SUV-like capability in a truck that is lighter, with a hybrid powertrain…in a truck that costs less”. Industry analysts expect a new Toyota compact truck to debut within about 18 months (targeting the 2027 model year).
Design and Features
Toyota’s no-frills compact pickup – shown as the Hilux Champ – is extremely spartan. The base model “is bereft of virtually all ‘comfort’ features”: its windows are manual cranks, the seats are covered in plastic and rubber, and the flatbed has no sides. Instead, the truck is equipped for work, with rugged off-road tires, a reinforced bumper (with an LED bar), and a roof rack for heavy equipment.
The chassis is a modular “blank canvas” – Toyota pre-drills the bed and supports several layouts, from an extra-cab flatbed to an integrated camper or food-truck configuration.
Specifications and Pricing
Toyota’s new truck uses a simple, proven powertrain. The base model is a rear-wheel-drive Hilux platform with a 2.0L gasoline engine and a 5-speed manual gearbox. Toyota says the chassis can accommodate a range of powertrains – gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or even fully electric.
Crucially, the IMV 0 was engineered for a very low price: Toyota set a “target starting price of $10,000” for the pickup when it launched as the Hilux Champ, the Thai-market model indeed started at just over $13,000.
Competitor Comparison
By comparison, current compact pickups include Ford’s Maverick and Hyundai’s Santa Cruz. The Maverick’s base price is about $29,840, and even its hybrid version achieves over 40 mpg in city driving. The Santa Cruz starts near $30,200.
Reports suggest Toyota will target those segment leaders with a direct hybrid rival, leveraging lessons from the Maverick and Santa Cruz to deliver fuel efficiency and capability at a lower price.
