What are the little Toyota trucks called?
The small Toyota pickups are globally known as the Hilux (often styled HiLux in some markets). In the United States, the direct contemporary counterpart is the Toyota Tacoma.
Global naming and regional differences
To understand how Toyota labels its compact and midsize pickups, it helps to map the main names by region and era. Here is a concise guide to the core models people refer to when they speak of “little Toyota trucks.”
- Hilux / HiLux — The worldwide name for Toyota’s compact pickup family, famous for its rugged reliability and widespread use outside North America.
- Tacoma — Toyota’s midsize pickup sold in the United States and Canada since 1995; it serves as the U.S. counterpart to what many markets call the Hilux.
In short, the “little Toyota trucks” you’re likely hearing about are the Hilux (HiLux) globally, with the Tacoma representing the U.S. version of a small-to-mid-size Toyota pickup.
Historical context and current availability
The Hilux has a long history dating back to the 1960s and remains a staple in many markets today, often sold as Hilux or HiLux depending on regional branding. The Tacoma was introduced to North America in the mid-1990s as a replacement for the earlier Toyota Pickup in that market, and it continues to be Toyota’s primary compact/midsize option in the United States.
Note on market availability: Hilux is not typically sold new in the United States today, while Tacoma is the primary Toyota pickup for U.S. buyers. In other regions, Hilux/HiLux continues to be the standard name for Toyota’s compact pickup.
Current-market snapshot
For readers seeking a quick takeaway: if you’re outside North America, you’ll likely encounter Hilux (HiLux) when looking for a small Toyota pickup. In the United States, look for the Tacoma as the direct Toyota pickup option.
Summary
Across most of the world, the little Toyota truck is the Hilux (HiLux). In North America, the equivalent model is the Tacoma, with the Hilux typically not sold new in the U.S. today. These names reflect Toyota’s global strategy to offer a compact/midsize pickup suited to different markets and needs.
Is Toyota coming out with an $8000 pickup truck?
No, Toyota is not releasing an $8,000 pickup truck for the US market; that price point is inaccurate for any upcoming or existing Toyota trucks. The $10,000 (approximately) Toyota IMV 0 is a basic, no-frills truck sold in other markets, not the US, and the affordable new compact pickup for the US, likely called the Toyota Stout, is estimated to start between $22,000 and $25,000.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Toyota IMV 0: 55sTop4CarsYouTube · Oct 27, 2025
- Toyota IMV 0: This is a low-cost truck unveiled in other markets, with a target starting price of around $10,000. It is not intended for the U.S. market and lacks many features found on trucks sold in the US.
- Upcoming US compact truck (Stout): Toyota has confirmed it is developing a new compact pickup for the US, but it is expected to be more expensive.
- Estimated Price: The starting price is estimated to be in the $22,000 to $25,000 range.
- Timeline: It is anticipated to be a 2026 or 2027 model year truck.
- Features: It will likely be a unibody construction truck with hybrid powertrain options, similar to other Toyota vehicles.
Does Toyota have a mini truck?
Yes, Toyota is developing a new compact truck to compete with the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, expected to arrive around fall 2027. Toyota's current smallest truck is the mid-size Tacoma. This upcoming small truck will be built on the unibody TNGA platform, have a hybrid powertrain, and slot in below the Tacoma in the lineup.
Key details of the upcoming compact truck
- Target Market: It will be a more affordable, entry-level compact truck, similar in size and concept to the Ford Maverick.
- Platform: It will use Toyota's TNGA unibody platform, which it shares with models like the RAV4 and Camry.
- Powertrain: Toyota plans to offer a hybrid powertrain, possibly using the 2.5-liter hybrid engine from the RAV4, which would provide a good balance of power and efficiency.
- Arrival: The official on-sale date is rumored to be around the fall of 2027.
- Capabilities: Toyota has stated that the new truck will be a "workhorse" with the necessary capabilities and functionality of a Toyota truck, despite being a compact size.
Why is the Hilux illegal in the US?
The Toyota Hilux is not sold in the US primarily due to the "Chicken Tax," a 25% tariff on imported light trucks that makes it financially impractical. Additionally, the Hilux was not originally designed to meet the US's stricter safety, emissions, and fuel economy standards. Toyota also created the US-specific Toyota Tacoma to meet American market preferences for more features and comfort, and to avoid tariffs on vehicles produced in the US.
Reasons the Toyota Hilux isn't sold in the US
- The "Chicken Tax": This 25% tariff on imported light trucks was enacted in 1964 and makes it too expensive to import the Hilux and sell it competitively in the US.
- Different market and design: Toyota developed the Tacoma specifically for the North American market, which has different tastes and needs than the global Hilux. The Tacoma is typically more spacious and includes more features and comfort options.
- Safety and emissions standards: The Hilux was not designed to meet the US's strict Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or EPA emissions regulations. Re-engineering the truck to meet these standards would be costly and time-consuming.
- Market competition: Toyota already has a successful mid-size truck in the US with the Tacoma and doesn't want the Hilux to compete with its own product.
What is the name of the small Toyota pickup?
If you visit Thailand while in Indonesia. It's known as the Ranga or Tamarau in the Philippines. The Champ shares the name of the Hilux. But it's a totally different vehicle starting from exterior.
