Toyota’s compact ute spotted testing

Toyota’s long-rumoured ‘compact ute’ project may finally be taking shape, with spy photographers capturing what appears to be a Corolla Cross-based pickup undergoing testing in Brazil.

The heavily camouflaged prototype provides the clearest indication yet that Toyota is preparing to enter the growing market for car-based utility vehicles, a segment currently dominated overseas by rivals such as the Ford Maverick and South American-market Ram Rampage.

Images and video published by Brazilian outlet BlogAuto show a disguised ute featuring front-end styling and proportions closely resembling the Toyota Corolla Cross SUV. The prototype’s overall shape also appears to draw inspiration from Toyota’s EPU Concept, an electric lifestyle pickup unveiled in 2023 as a potential preview of a future light-duty ute positioned beneath the HiLux and North American Tacoma.

While the EPU concept was battery-powered, reports from Brazil suggest the production model will instead rely on internal-combustion and hybrid powertrains. According to local sources, buyers could be offered a choice of a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine or a plug-in hybrid system featuring all-wheel drive.

The hybrid setup is expected to utilise Toyota’s familiar electric rear axle arrangement, where an electric motor powers the rear wheels independently of the petrol engine. Brazilian reports also indicate the powertrain will be compatible with varying blends of petrol and ethanol, reflecting local fuel preferences.

A launch is reportedly scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

If the vehicle is indeed based on the Corolla Cross platform, it would position the ute as a relatively compact offering. The Corolla Cross rides on Toyota’s TNGA-C architecture, which is smaller than the platforms underpinning larger pickups such as the Maverick.

However, the emergence of this South American test vehicle has also fuelled speculation that Toyota may be working on more than one monocoque ute.

Recent comments from Toyota executives in North America suggest a separate pickup programme could be under consideration using the larger RAV4 platform. Such a vehicle would benefit from Toyota’s latest hybrid technology, including the more powerful 2.5-litre electrified powertrain found in the current RAV4 range.