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Toyota’s New Pickup, ‘Smaller Sister of the Hilux’, Will Have Corolla Cross Engine, 220 Hp, 4×4 Traction, and Production in Brazil to Compete with Maverick and Toro with Over 1,800 Kg of Payload

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 26/08/2025 at 17:20
Toyota prepara nova picape híbrida abaixo da Hilux, com motor do Corolla Cross, produção no Brasil e rivalidade com Maverick e Toro.
Toyota prepara nova picape híbrida abaixo da Hilux, com motor do Corolla Cross, produção no Brasil e rivalidade com Maverick e Toro.
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Toyota Prepares A New Intermediate Hybrid Pickup, Expected To Debut In 2027, Positioned Below The Hilux And Targeting Ford Maverick And Fiat Toro. Brazilian Production Is Considered, Reinforcing The Brand’s Expansion In The Utility Segment.

Toyota has confirmed that it is working on a new pickup below the Hilux, with a debut expected in 2027 and a focus on markets such as Brazil and the United States.

In an interview, Cooper Ericksen, head of planning at Toyota North America, stated that “the decisions have already been made. The question is when we will be able to launch it. It is no longer a question of ‘if’.”

The specialized publication MotorTrend also indicates a goal of selling 100,000 to 150,000 units per year in the U.S. alone.

According to the Autoesporte website, in a piece published this Monday (25), the initiative is part of the brand’s strategy to occupy an intermediate space in the segment.

Calendar And Market Positioning

Toyota prepares a new hybrid pickup below the Hilux, with engine from Corolla Cross, production in Brazil and rivalry with Maverick and Toro.
Toyota Prepares A New Hybrid Pickup Below The Hilux, With Engine From Corolla Cross, Production In Brazil And Rivalry With Maverick And Toro.

The current projection indicates a launch in Fall 2027 in the North American market, positioning the model directly against Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, which are currently references in the unibody pickup segment.

MotorTrend is also working with an estimated price of US$ 30,000, a level aimed at customers seeking a utility vehicle for mixed use at a lower acquisition cost.

Project And Platform

According to executives and technical reports from the automotive press, the pickup will be unibody and will use a variation of the TNGA platform, the same base that supports the Corolla and RAV4 lines in various regions.

The strategy includes a hybrid powertrain, aligned with the brand’s global plan to expand electrification in different categories.

However, Toyota has not disclosed data on power, torque, traction, or battery of the new model so far.

Production In Brazil: What Is Known

Toyota prepares a new hybrid pickup below the Hilux, with engine from Corolla Cross, production in Brazil and rivalry with Maverick and Toro.
Toyota Prepares A New Hybrid Pickup Below The Hilux, With Engine From Corolla Cross, Production In Brazil And Rivalry With Maverick And Toro.

In Brazil, the expectation from the specialized press is that the pickup will be produced in Sorocaba (SP) starting in 2027, sharing processes with products made on the TNGA architecture.

According to the magazine Quatro Rodas, a new wing is being prepared at the São Paulo plant to enable the utility vehicle.

In parallel, Toyota has announced billion-dollar investments to increase capacity and manufacture new hybrids in the country throughout this decade, a move that provides industrial backing for the arrival of the utility vehicle.

The manufacturer, however, has not officially confirmed the production of the pickup in its own communication; it is currently a plan reported by industry outlets.

Engine And Electrification

The new pickup will be hybrid, according to the guidelines disclosed by executives to MotorTrend.

Some coverage from the Brazilian press suggests that the setup will have a connection with that used by Corolla/Corolla Cross and may offer electrified all-wheel drive (e-AWD), something common in the latest generation of Toyota hybrids.

There is speculation about power in the range of 220 hp, but this number has not been officially confirmed.

There is also no confirmation of a 18.1 kWh battery; this capacity belongs to the RAV4 Plug-in (PHEV) and should not be taken as a given for the new pickup without an announcement from the manufacturer.

Name And Registrations

Toyota prepares a new hybrid pickup below the Hilux, with engine from Corolla Cross, production in Brazil and rivalry with Maverick and Toro.
Toyota Prepares A New Hybrid Pickup Below The Hilux, With Engine From Corolla Cross, Production In Brazil And Rivalry With Maverick And Toro.

The commercial name has not been publicly defined.

In Brazil, there has been a registration of the name “Hilux Stout” with the INPI, which has fueled hypotheses about the product’s identity.

As reported by Quatro Rodas, the brand protection might indeed be linked to the project of the new intermediate pickup.

However, the mere registration of a name does not guarantee actual use in a specific vehicle, but indicates strategic movements by the company.

Direct Competition And Reference Numbers

While Toyota prepares for the launch, rival numbers help gauge the segment.

The Ford Maverick 2025 starts at US$ 28,145 in the U.S., has a payload capacity of up to 1,500 lb (about 680 kg), and can tow up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) when equipped with the right package.

These figures explain the model’s popularity and serve as a benchmark for positioning Toyota’s future pickup.

Toyota prepares a new hybrid pickup below the Hilux, with engine from Corolla Cross, production in Brazil and rivalry with Maverick and Toro.
Toyota Prepares A New Hybrid Pickup Below The Hilux, With Engine From Corolla Cross, Production In Brazil And Rivalry With Maverick And Toro.

Brazil On The Expansion Map

The expansion of the Sorocaba (SP) complex and the confirmed investments by Toyota in the country indicate a priority for hybrids and the preparation of the facility for new products.

This movement aligns with the company’s global strategy to offer multiple electrification solutions, reinforcing the possibility of the new pickup integrating the local line in the medium term, even without formal confirmation of a schedule from the brand.

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What Remains Open

Essential technical points remain without official detailing: final power, type of hybrid system (HEV, PHEV, or variations by market), specific 4×4 traction of the project, and load and towing capacities.

As soon as Toyota discloses technical specifications and versions, it will be possible to compare directly with Maverick and Toro in aspects such as performance, efficiency, dimensions, and prices practiced in Brazil.

Until then, the available information is about planning and positioning, with consolidated data on platform, electrification, and launch window.

Finally, considering the advancement of the segment and investments in the São Paulo plant, the arrival of a hybrid unibody pickup from Toyota manufactured in Brazil could reshape the competition with Maverick and Toro; what real differentiator do you expect from this model to win over Brazilian consumers?

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Alisson Ficher

Jornalista formado desde 2017 e atuante na área desde 2015, com seis anos de experiência em revista impressa, passagens por canais de TV aberta e mais de 12 mil publicações online. Especialista em política, empregos, economia, cursos, entre outros temas e também editor do portal CPG. Registro profissional: 0087134/SP. Se você tiver alguma dúvida, quiser reportar um erro ou sugerir uma pauta sobre os temas tratados no site, entre em contato pelo e-mail: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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