Photo: Instagram | Theottle
We never really thought unibody pickups would become a thing, but they have, and models such as the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz are doing rather well. In fact, they're doing so well that they might inspire other automakers to follow suit with similar proposals, and one of them is Toyota.
Rumors have emerged these past few days that the Japanese car firm might be interested in launching a compact unibody pickup. The vehicle would inevitably be based on the Corolla (or is that the Corolla Cross?), and if it gets the green light for production, then it could be put together at the Mississippi factory alongside the passenger car.
Nonetheless, the rumored Corolla-based workhorse might not be due until 2027. And it appears that Toyota will give the regular Corolla a new generation in 2025. That means that the pickup would build on the upcoming Corolla, and chances are it will sport a different design to set it apart from the regular Corolla and the high-riding Corolla Cross.
With the TNGA-C platform being compatible with electrified powertrains, we reckon the pickup will use hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. It's obviously way too early to discuss the actual engines that might make their way under its hood, considering that the information is based on a report, as Toyota hasn't confirmed it. And if it turns out to be approved, then it will sit under the mid-size Tacoma in the company's US family. This model starts at $28,600 for the 2023MY, and a smaller pickup would be even more affordable, perhaps dropping the MSRP to sub-$25,000 in today's money.
As you can assume, the rumor of Toyota possibly eyeing a Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz rival has already given birth to several renderings. Mind you, all of them are based on the current iteration of the Corolla Cross, and in the case of the one signed by Theottle, it features a red finish and the usual amount of plastic cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side skirts.
The virtual artist tried to keep it simple, as this CGI proposal retains the face of the regular Corolla Cross. Out back, it has a similar design, although with an open bed behind the passenger compartment and a more utilitarian bumper. Elsewhere, you're looking at the same styling traits inspired by the crossover, and if you think you've seen it before, you're not wrong because the pixel manipulator says it's actually two years old. This is a great example of things that were once considered wishful thinking becoming a possibility, albeit with a different design. So, do you think it would be wise for Toyota to enter the unibody pickup game?
Nonetheless, the rumored Corolla-based workhorse might not be due until 2027. And it appears that Toyota will give the regular Corolla a new generation in 2025. That means that the pickup would build on the upcoming Corolla, and chances are it will sport a different design to set it apart from the regular Corolla and the high-riding Corolla Cross.
With the TNGA-C platform being compatible with electrified powertrains, we reckon the pickup will use hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. It's obviously way too early to discuss the actual engines that might make their way under its hood, considering that the information is based on a report, as Toyota hasn't confirmed it. And if it turns out to be approved, then it will sit under the mid-size Tacoma in the company's US family. This model starts at $28,600 for the 2023MY, and a smaller pickup would be even more affordable, perhaps dropping the MSRP to sub-$25,000 in today's money.
As you can assume, the rumor of Toyota possibly eyeing a Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz rival has already given birth to several renderings. Mind you, all of them are based on the current iteration of the Corolla Cross, and in the case of the one signed by Theottle, it features a red finish and the usual amount of plastic cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side skirts.
The virtual artist tried to keep it simple, as this CGI proposal retains the face of the regular Corolla Cross. Out back, it has a similar design, although with an open bed behind the passenger compartment and a more utilitarian bumper. Elsewhere, you're looking at the same styling traits inspired by the crossover, and if you think you've seen it before, you're not wrong because the pixel manipulator says it's actually two years old. This is a great example of things that were once considered wishful thinking becoming a possibility, albeit with a different design. So, do you think it would be wise for Toyota to enter the unibody pickup game?
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