The Ford Maverick has been a smash hit and one of the most desirable new vehicles on the planet since it debuted for the 2022 model year, though in spite of that tremendous success, it only currently has one direct rival – the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Both the Ford Maverick and Santa Cruz are receiving mid-cycle updates for the 2025 model year, in fact, all while we have yet to see another competitor emerge from any other automaker. There have been plenty of rumors swirling indicating that more than one Blue Oval rival may be working on a compact pickup as well, however, and now, Ford Authority has spotted Toyota benchmarking both a Maverick and a Santa Cruz.
Both of these compact pickups were spotted entering a Toyota facility, meaning that the automaker is benchmarking both, as is quite common in the automotive world. This obviously doesn’t mean that Toyota is developing or even seriously considering a compact pickup, but it’s a strong indication that this might very well be the case, regardless.
Back in 2022, Jack Hollis, senior vice president of automotive operations at Toyota Motor North America, hinted that the automaker was in fact considering getting back into the compact pickup game, however, noting that “there is space” in the Japanese automaker’s lineup for a model smaller than the mid-size Tacoma, adding that Toyota has “continued to look” at the newly resurgent compact pickup segment, “and we’ve continued to look for a long time.” Last September, Toyota brand head Dave Christ also noted that the company has “obviously watched Maverick closely,” confirming that its U.S. dealers have been clamoring for such a product as well.
In the meantime, the Ford Maverick continues to conquest many of its customers from the likes of Honda and Toyota. Now, it’s set to receive a few updates for the 2025 model year that aim to keep it atop the compact pickup segment as well, including revised styling, a larger infotainment screen, and a possible performance model, to boot.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Maverick news and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
Just bought a 2024 Maverick XL, I love my truck. Where can you buy a truck for $27,000. I got 27 miles per gallon on my first tank of gas.
They are awesome. Enjoy! Full Synthetic oil *only* every 5k mis /Motorcraft filters .. & she last forever. Great trucks!
That same advice has carried my Ford Taurus past 250k miles on its original drivetrain! That, and transmission fluid/filter every 30-50k.
Always use Motorcraft. I use Motorcraft oil in my Chevy and Honda because it’s a great product for the money (yea, I sound like a sales rep with that one, but it’s the truth I swear lol).
Congrats man, hope it treats you well!
The Maverick to show you how to do it.
The Hyundai to show you how not to do it.