10 WAYS THE 2025 TOYOTA STOUT WILL DOMINATE THE COMPACT PICKUP TRUCK MARKET

Toyota launched the Stout as its half-ton entry into the North American pickup truck industry in 1964. With a mere 86 hp produced from its 1.9-liter, 4-cylinder engine, the Toyota Stout didn't fare particularly well in the US market. However, the Stout opened the door for Toyota pickup trucks that have made indelible marks in the US automotive industry – the Tacoma, Tundra, and Hilux.

American pickup truck fans were delighted by the recent launch of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, but the best-selling midsize "Taco" might still need some help in defending Toyota's position in the pickup truck segment. The compact pickup truck class has gained traction in the North and South American markets, and automakers are scrambling to get into the fray. The Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz are leading the way, but the Ram Rampage and the Chevrolet Montana are on the horizon.

Several clues tell us that Toyota plans to revive the Stout to join the compact pickup truck wars in the near future. First, Toyota registered the Stout model name in Argentina last 2022. Moreover, Jack Hollis – Toyota North America's SVP of Automotive Operations – hinted at Toyota's interest in the compact pickup truck space. Finally, Toyota North America's SVP of Product and BEVs Cooper Erikson hinted that Toyota is creating something that could fill the slot under the Tacoma.

If these clues do materialize, the new Toyota Stout may debut sometime in 2024 as a 2025 model year, and it has the potential to dominate the compact pickup truck segment. How so? Here are 10 possible reasons.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Will Be Built On The Robust TNGA-K Platform

Following in the footsteps of Toyota's newly-redesigned models like the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Highlander, the new Toyota Stout will be a part of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) program. According to Toyota, the TNGA philosophy aims to improve both on-road and off-road performance using new and shareable vehicle powertrains and frames.

To compete in the compact pickup truck class, the Toyota Stout will likely be a versatile on-road vehicle that still possesses some trail capabilities. For this purpose, the Toyota Stout will probably employ the TNGA-K platform – the same one that currently underpins compact and midsize sedans and SUVs such as the Camry, RAV4, Highlander, and Lexus RX. The TNGA-K platform uses a lightweight yet sturdy monocoque body in combination with new engines and transmission systems. Together, these components produce a lower center of gravity, better handling and safety, improved fuel efficiency, and more attractive fuel economy ratings compared to older vehicle platforms.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Has Several Attractive Exterior Design Possibilities

The 2025 Toyota Stout has several exterior design options to choose from, and different creative artists took the liberty to explore these possibilities digitally. For instance, SRK Designs used the 2023 RAV4 as a basis for a compact pickup truck. Moreover, K Design created a Toyota Stout render using the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Finally, a few Toyota Stout digital renders like those showcased by Digimods Design are based on Toyota's award-winning Compact Cruiser EV concept design.

Until Toyota releases clues or teasers regarding the new Toyota Stout's design concept, we may see a few more digital design suggestions from other creative artists. Whether the Stout's exterior design comes from an award-winning new concept or from an iteration of an existing, well-received model (e.g. Tacoma, Highlander, RAV4, etc.), the 2025 Toyota Stout's design will likely balance form and function very well.

The 2025 Toyota Stout's Turbo Engine Will Be More Powerful Than The Ford Maverick's EcoBoost Mill

Assuming that the 2025 Toyota Stout will be using the TNGA-K platform, it's reasonable to expect that the new compact pickup truck will adopt a gasoline powerplant from existing TNGA-K models like the RAV4 and the Highlander. The non-hybrid 2023 RAV4 uses a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force I-4 engine that produces 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Highlander, on the other hand, uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mill that churns out 265 horses and 310 lb-ft of twist.

With the turbocharged engine, the 2025 Toyota Stout will have more grunt than the EcoBoost-powered Ford Maverick (250 hp, 277 lb-ft). The Hyundai Santa Cruz – with a bigger 2.5-liter turbo engine (281 hp, 311 lb-ft) – is slightly more powerful, but the Korean pickup pays for the power with a lower fuel economy (22 MPG vs the turbocharged Highlander's 25 MPG).

The 2025 Toyota Stout Hybrid Will Be More Potent Than The Hybrid Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick pleasantly surprised the pickup market by offering a 2.5-liter hybrid powerplant (191 hp, 37 MPG combined fuel economy rating) as its base engine option. Toyota, which pioneered and developed the modern hybrid car engine technology over the past few decades, will not stand by idly.

The 2025 Toyota Stout may use the A25A-FXS powerplant – a 2.5-liter gas engine coupled with two electric motors that jointly produce 219 hp while still returning 38 MPG for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) 2023 RAV4. This means that even with the AWD configuration, the heavier RAV4 hybrid (3,710 lbs curb weight) is still more economical than the lighter, front-wheel-drive (FWD) Maverick hybrid (3,636 lbs curb weight). Moreover, Toyota may also tune the new Stout's hybrid engine more aggressively to produce a 243-hp output while still returning a 35-MPG fuel economy rating, similar to what the 2023 Highlander Hybrid achieves even with a 4,595-lb curb weight.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Has Modern Transmission Options To Choose From

The 2025 Toyota Stout will likely use TNGA's new transmission systems to achieve optimum power transfer to the wheels. Current TNGA-K models like the 2023 RAV4 and Highlander use Toyota's Direct Shift 8-speed Electronically-Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECT) for gasoline models, and the Electronically-Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) for hybrid variants.

If a TRD Sport performance trim joins the 2025 Toyota Stout lineup, TNGA's 2nd-generation 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT2) may also become an option. The iMT2 system features anti-stall and automatic rev-matching functions.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Can Lead The Class In Payload And Towing Capacities

Although unibody pickup trucks are generally less capable than traditional ladder-frame trucks are at towing and hauling, the 2025 Toyota Stout will likely be a class-leading workhorse. Currently, the best-selling Ford Maverick has a 1,500-lb maximum payload capacity and a 4,000-lb max tow rating. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, can haul up to 1,748 lbs and pull up to 5,000 lbs.

If the 2025 Toyota Stout uses the TNGA-K platform, then it can trump the Maverick and the Santa Cruz in terms of work capabilities. For reference, the 2023 Toyota Highlander – even with its 4,595-lb curb weight – can tow up to 5,000 lbs and haul up to 1,715 lbs. A turbocharged 2025 Toyota Stout will likely have a 3,700-lb curb weight, so it may be able to carry well over 1,700 lbs and pull over 5,000 lbs.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Will Feature Toyota's Latest Tech And Safety Features

The 2025 Toyota Stout can adopt the 2023 Highlander's base 8-inch and top-spec 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto along with an optional JBL premium audio system. Moreover, the new Stout will likely get a digital instrument cluster with a 7-inch or 12.3-inch display screen. With a programmable digital cluster, Toyota Stout owners can choose how to view the speedometer, average speed, odometer, average fuel economy, cruising range, AWD torque distribution, hands-free mobile phone notifications, hybrid energy monitor, and other important driving information.

The 2025 Toyota Stout will also offer comfort, convenience, and safety features that typically reside in modern crossover SUVs. Some examples are the Qi-compatible wireless phone charging, a colored Head-Up Display (HUD), an optional digital rearview mirror, SofText-trimmed power-adjustable seats, and Toyota's most updated vehicle safety suite – the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0).

The 2025 Toyota Stout Will Propagate Toyota's Reputation For Quality And Reliability

Over the past few decades, Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus have been consistent top performers in different reliability studies conducted by independent assessment groups like JD Power and Consumer Reports. According to Kelley Blue Book, reliability remains as the most important factor in an automotive shopper's purchasing journey.

Being a part of Toyota's vehicle lineup means that the 2025 Toyota Stout will benefit from the company's reputation for quality and reliability right from the start. Of course, the new Toyota Stout will eventually have to prove its actual reliability through independent assessments as well as actual customer experience. However, the initial benefit of the doubt from the market will likely give the Stout the momentum it needs to be a top sales contender – or even leader – of the compact pickup truck class.

The 2025 Stout Will Inherit Toyota's High Resale Value Ratings

Certain vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler get high resale value ratings due to unique styling, off-road capability, and iconic American heritage. Toyota vehicles, on the other hand, often have high residual market values as a consequence of high market demand and proven quality and reliability. A high resale value is a very important factor in improving automotive customer loyalty and conquest rates, especially during times of economic uncertainty.

The 2025 Toyota Stout will likely get an above-average resale value score right from the get-go due to the brand's reputation for reliability as well as the iconic nature of the "Stout" nameplate. If the new Toyota Stout proves itself worthy of the brand's reputation, then this resale value rating may even improve further.

The 2025 Toyota Stout Will Have Competitive Pricing

Hyundai sold 36,480 units of the Santa Cruz in 2022 – enough to place the Korean compact truck among the 15 best-selling pickups in America. A total of 74,370 Ford Mavericks, in turn, rolled into American buyers' homes in 2022 (the Maverick's inaugural model year), outstripping the sales of its more seasoned midsize stablemate, the Ford Ranger, which tallied only 57,000 units during the same year.

The 2023 Ford Maverick starts at $22,595, while the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is going for a more premium positioning with a $25,700 entry-level price tag. Armed with the price elasticity figures provided by these early models, Toyota will likely start the 2025 Stout at roughly $23,000 to wrest the class leadership away from the Ford Maverick.

2023-06-10T22:41:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd