Until recently, Toyota has had a hectic year across the North American region. But the tidal wave of novelties is like the famous song – of the 'can't stop, won't stop' variety.
Since the year started, we have seen many premieres, small and big. There was the arrival of the 2023 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, the 2024 Corolla Nightshade family, the GR special editions (GR86 Trueno, GR Corolla Circuit, GR Supra 45th Anniversary), the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid, the all-new, first-ever 2024 Grand Highlander three-row CUV, plus the absolute superstars – the N400 Tacoma and 2024 Land Cruiser.
But that is not all, as the Japanese automaker has so much more to offer. Apparently, at least according to the rumor mill, even more trucks are coming to join the party alongside the all-new next-gen Tacoma and the solid XK70 Tundra plus Tundra i-Force Max. As such, early last month, some faint whispers talked about the company aiming to introduce an entry-level pickup truck based on the Corolla Cross and slotted below the best-selling Tacoma.
Naturally, that means only one thing – a unibody-based compact pickup truck destined to wage war against the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. Well, that is a tall order, indeed, but various rumors have talked about Toyota joining the fray ever since the Blue Oval's reinvented Maverick turned out to be such a smashing success. However, initially, the reports discussed the potential return of the beloved Stout nameplate.
Of course, as the rumor mill adapted to the new tales, so did the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. As such, today, gone are the digital projects that reinvented the stout little Japanese pickup truck for the modern era – they were replaced by rather bland interpretations of the Corolla Cross with a truck bed sticking out the back.
Well, no more of that. At least not from the virtual automotive artist better known as Carbizzy on his YouTube channel, who has imagined the unofficial looks of the (allegedly) upcoming Toyota pickup truck with subtle yet impactful changes compared to the compact crossover SUV. More precisely, the general profile (except for the truck's bed, of course) is the same as with the Corolla Cross compact crossover SUV.
But the slim front headlights and the vertical taillights are quite different from the Corolla Cross – some would say for the better, as the styling of those elements is considered by some fans as the Achille's heel for the compact crossover SUV. All in all, this really isn't a bad effort from the pixel master, especially when the hypothetical Corolla Cross pickup truck is seen from the front. So, what do you think? If accurate, would this stand a chance either against the Hyundai Santa Cruz and, especially, Ford's ultra-popular Maverick?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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