Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Toyota is the dominant force in the midsize pickup segment, where the Tacoma comfortably outsells rivals like the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline. But there’s an opportunity for the brand to go even smaller and cheaper with a new compact pickup, something the company’s dealerships have been asking for. In an interview this week, Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa expressed more than a passing interest in such a model, which could be a huge problem for the Ford Maverick.RAV4-Based, Unibody Pickup Truck2026 Toyota RAV4ToyotaIn the compact pickup segment, a unibody setup is more acceptable than it is for bigger trucks, as buyers in this category don’t need the capability of a large body-on-frame pickup. Asked about whether Toyota will consider a compact pickup or a small commercial van, Ogawa was much more enthusiastic about the former.AdvertisementAdvertisement“There is, of course, some opportunity for us in the commercial area, but it is new to us,” said the CEO to Automotive News. “We need to study more. But for the compact truck? Definitely, we have such demand. A RAV4-based pickup is an opportunity for us, and the dealers are waiting. Maybe they say we need today or tomorrow, but it takes time.”2026 Toyota RAV4ToyotaThe TNGA-K platform of the current RAV4 is the perfect basis for a new Toyota compact pickup. It should make for a pickup that’s comfortable, efficient, and maneuverable enough, while adding the versatility of a small bed. Ford’s Maverick has already shown us this recipe can work, as it shares its platform with compact crossovers like the Escape and Bronco Sport.In terms of powertrains, Ford’s Maverick is offered with a hybrid, making it the most efficient pickup on sale. Toyota has extensive experience with hybrids, and the 226-horsepower mill in the current RAV4 would be ideal for a new, small pickup.Related: 2026 Honda Ridgeline Vs. 2026 Toyota Tacoma: 4 Major DifferencesPricing Is Key2025 Ford Maverick LoboFordTo make a compact pickup work, Toyota will need to get the pricing right. The Maverick starts at $27,145, around $6,000 less than the base Ranger. Toyota will need to look at a similar price gap between a new compact pickup and the larger Tacoma, which begins at $32,445.AdvertisementAdvertisementFord sold over 155,000 Mavericks in 2025, a record year for the pickup and a clear sign that there’s adequate demand for it. The base model has also been very popular, as buyers increasingly look for no-frills models at lower prices.The only other small pickup that was on sale, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, failed to make an impact, with Hyundai set to cease sales of that model. However, Hyundai doesn’t have Toyota’s reputation for building reliable pickups in the U.S., which is likely why it failed to capture buyers’ interests.What It Means2024 Toyota TacomaToyotaDealers are begging for it, Ford has shown the demand exists, and Toyota already has a platform for it—all signs indicate that a RAV4-based compact pickup would be a smart move for the Japanese brand. It would mark the first time Toyota returns to the compact pickup segment since the Toyota Truck (known as the Hilux in other markets) was sold here in the 1990s. It would fill one of the few gaps in Toyota’s extensive U.S. lineup and go some way to revitalizing a once beloved segment.Related: This is How the Toyota Hilux Became the World’s Toughest TruckThis story was originally published by Autoblog on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.