- Toyota is considering a compact pickup that could rival the Ford Maverick and Santa Cruz.
- Two designers envisioned what a RAV4-based pickup might look like in new renderings.
- A unibody approach might make the compact pickup more affordable and SUV-like.
Toyota’s pushing for something new, and no, it’s not another hybrid crossover. Company officials have already confirmed that they’re exploring the idea of a smaller, more affordable pickup to sit under the midsize Tacoma. The 2023 fully electric EPU concept is the closest we’ve seen to an official preview of this compact pickup, but whether Toyota will actually move forward with it remains uncertain.
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More: New RAV4 GR Sport Has More Power Than A GR Corolla
Enter the world of digital artistry, where independent designers like Digimods Design and Theophilus Chin have taken a swing at imagining what this compact pickup could look like. Their muse? The rugged 2026 RAV4 Adventure trim.
RAV4 Adventure Trim as the Starting Point
The Adventure trim is the standout here, with its blacked-out front inserts, boxy bumper, larger grille, extra intakes, and a more aggressive skid plate. It’s a look that’s definitely more suited for a pickup compared to the standard or GR-Sport variants of the RAV4. That said, both Digimods and Chin had differing ideas for how the rest of the body should be shaped.
Digimods took a more traditional route, combining the RAV4’s front end with the Tacoma’s ladder-frame chassis and a standard rear bed. He even gave it a touch of personality, adding the horizontally mounted taillights from the RAV4 to the tailgate, though that’s a bit of an unconventional move.
Chin, however, went in a different direction entirely. His rendering imagines a unibody truck with design elements directly pulled from the RAV4, but with a stretched wheelbase and a longer tail. To match, he opted for vertically stacked LED taillights, a plastic bumper with integrated steps, and a large tailgate adorned with RAV4 lettering. It’s more of a car-like take on a truck, but it has its charm.
Digimods Design and Theottle / YouTube
Toyota
Is the Unibody Approach More Likely?
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The idea of a unibody compact truck might actually be the more realistic option. If Toyota decides to go this route, it could face off against rivals like the Ford Maverick, with its unibody construction, or the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Sure, a unibody won’t have the raw towing and cargo capacity of a traditional ladder-frame truck, but it might be enough for people with active lifestyles or small businesses that don’t need the full capabilities of a workhorse. Plus, you could still pair it with a beefed-up suspension to give it a bit more ruggedness.
More: Toyota’s Next Highlander And Sienna Go Electric Without Giving Up Gas
Toyota’s RAV4 rides on the TNGA-K platform, which it shares with the larger Crown Signia, Highlander, and Grand Highlander SUVs. This platform supports hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and gasoline powertrains, and the most powerful RAV4 PHEV offers a respectable 320 horsepower (238 kW / 324 PS).
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While that’s plenty of power for a compact truck, the truck’s bulk and less aerodynamic shape would likely reduce range, especially if Toyota were to incorporate electrification.
What’s the Alternative?
So, what if Toyota decides to go for something a bit more traditional? Some reports suggest that Toyota could give the compact truck the rugged treatment with a ladder-frame chassis, similar to what you’d find on the Hilux. This version would likely offer much better off-road performance, akin to the FJ Cruiser of yesteryear, which would certainly appeal to a different crowd than those eyeing a more SUV-like truck. If Toyota wants a true off-road contender, this might be the way to go.
Would you be more interested in a pickup version of the RAV4, or would you rather see Toyota bring back the FJ Cruiser spirit with something a bit more rugged and off-road capable?
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