The rumor mill surrounding a new Toyota Stout compact pickup continues to circulate to this day. Though no official confirmation nor updates have been provided by Toyota regarding the development or even the existence of an upcoming Stout, the internet continues to fan the rumor flames that we might expect a Stout revival within a couple of years.
But why is the interest regarding the Stout so high? Well, the pickup segment is a lot different now than it was back when the original Stout was released. If Toyota does decide to release a new Stout, what will it look like? Thankfully, we've done the imagining for you so that you know what to expect when Toyota does unveil a new Stout.
If The Toyota Stout Went Geometric
These exclusive renderings were done by Yasid Design for TopSpeed, and the renderings do nail what a unibody Stout could look like if it was revived for the modern day. If you're thinking of a smaller, scaled-down version of the Tacoma's looks, then you're right on the money. But, of course, Toyota won't just shrink the Tacoma and call it a day. Rumors of an electric Stout are also strong, and if there's one concept that can serve as a perfect canvass for both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) version, that would be the Compact Cruiser EV Concept.
The Compact Cruiser EV Concept, however, is an SUV and not a pickup. Therefore, it's safe to say that a future Stout could blend the geometric and boxy design aspects of the said concept whilst drawing inspiration from the Tacoma and probably even the bigger Tundra. We predict that the production Stout could come with a hexagonal grille, the usual full LED lighting seen on modern cars nowadays, and a boxy silhouette that gives this pickup a tough and rugged look. As for its interior, the Stout will most likely blend elements from the Tacoma and Tundra, and then modernize it to offer a similar geometric theme as the exterior.
Further contributing to that tough design is the model that's been digitally rendered here, this is what a TRD Off-Road model could look like, with its wider fender flares, black front and rear bumpers, standard all-terrain tires, a steel step board, and the option for a black contrasting roof. There's also a tow hook for recovery purposes and the digitally-rendered Stout even comes with a winch. These are also some of the design flourishes that you see in the TRD versions of the Tacoma and Tundra as well.
Where Could The Stout Get Its Power From?
To find out what powertrain the Stout could get, we have to talk about what platform it might utilize. If it goes the ICE route, then it will most likely feature the TNGA-K platform of the RAV4 and Crown, which means it could get a 2.5-liter hybrid drivetrain that produces 219 horsepower, or the 340-horsepower 2.4-liter turbo hybrid drivetrain that the Crown Hybrid Max has. It could even feature the non-hybrid naturally-aspirated 203-horsepower 2.5-liter if Toyota wants to bring down the price even further.
On the other hand, going the electric route would most likely mean using the e-TNGA platform that the bZ4X also features, and thus using the 201-horsepower single-motor or a slightly more powerful 215-horsepower dual-motor drivetrain. The bZ4X's platform isn’t proportioned well enough to suit a pickup, but then, the packaging advantages of a dedicated EV platform can’t be ignored. A more radical option is to create a new EV platform altogether that could accommodate a pickup.
How Much Could A Toyota Stout Compact Pick-Up Cost?
A potential future Toyota Stout would need to compete price-wise with the Ford Maverick if it wants to succeed. In that case, we expect a base price within the low $20,000 mark, while a range-topping model could reach nearly $30,000. If the electric route is to be followed, then a price range that falls between $30,000 to $40,000 is the most likely scenario. If Toyota does bring the Stout to life, then it would be a refreshing sight to see a brand-new pickup truck whose price range is a lot lower than the nearly $50,000 average transaction price of new cars today.