2027 Toyota Corolla ute? Unibody pick-up could rival Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Maverick

August 7: A compact Toyota ute based on... the Corolla Cross?

Following last week's report, our digital artistry mate Theottle reminded us that he rendered a speculative Corolla Cross Ute back in 2021.

How do you think this would go as a rival to the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick? It's a more subtle look, perhaps even a little tame, but some buyers could be drawn to that...

Mike Stevens

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2025 Toyota Corolla ute, speculative rendering by | Theottle [↗].

August 4: Is Toyota planning a car-based ute to rival the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick?

At the reveal of its new Prado and 70 Series, Toyota was keen to discuss the future as it grapples with the need to reduce emissions – especially in Europe – and the insatiable demand for full-size off-roaders in a number of markets.

One consideration, as reported by Automotive News [↗], is the introduction of a Corolla-based ute for the American market.

It’s a possibility for Toyota, though signs point to it being built exclusively at the Mississippi plant where Corolla is made for domestic consumption.

Its key rivals in America would be the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, both smaller than the ladder-frame utes such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux that dominate Australian roads.

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2025 Toyota Corolla hatch rendering by Theottle | © Wheels Media

However, an all-new Corolla small car is due in 2025 (see our speculative rendering above), so the ute isn’t a short-term project.

Instead, sources suggest it won’t come to market until 2027, if at all. A turbo-diesel mill is unlikely; a petrol-electric hybrid or compact turbo-petrol engine is more plausible.

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Any excuse to reference this incredible piece of Australian design

What about a Corolla ute in Australia?

Toyota’s Australian division had a knack for turning up early when local manufacturing was still a thing.

Remember the TRD HiLux? A 225kW supercharged 4.0-litre V6-powered hyper ute that hit 100km/h from rest in 7.2 seconds and was similar in concept to today’s Ranger Raptor.

More relevant to this story is the X-Runner Concept (main picture). Revealed at the 2003 Melbourne motor show, the X-Runner was a pick-up based on the Avalon and Camry platform designed to compete with the then-popular Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon utes.

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Although not based on a Corolla, it does show prior interest in this type of vehicle locally. Speaking to brands including Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi, suggests product planners are again open to discussing this kind of vehicle's ability to resonate with Australian buyers.

Hyundai even has a pair of left-hand drive Santa Cruzes in Sydney, though we’ll reiterate that the Korean carmaker says there’s a slim-to-zero chance of right-hookers ever becoming available.

The rise of the HiLux and its one-tonne ladder-frame compatriots effectively killed the monocoque ute in Australia, but they’re on the rise again in the US as lifestyle vehicles after continued popularity in South America.

Have your say

Would you sacrifice towing capability and some off-road ability for a more fuel-efficient and comfortable ute?