Should Toyota Make a Prius Truck? Some Fans Think So
Should Toyota make a tiny pickup truck with the Prius name? Though it sounds far-fetched, some Prius-lovers think it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Written by Katie Dyer
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Pickup trucks are some of the most ubiquitous and in-demand vehicles in the United States—even the top three most purchased vehicles in the country are pickups. With today’s consumer interest in fuel economy and Toyota’s skill in making hybrids, wouldn’t it make sense for
Toyota
to make a small Prius
pickup truck? Some Prius fans think so. Jerry, your favorite car insurance
super app
, looked into some of the reasons why a Prius pickup could be a great idea. A truck with Prius fuel economy
With fuel prices rising, and the important focus on reducing emissions, hybrid or EV pickup trucks will be the wave of the future. Rivian, Tesla, Chevrolet, and others have begun launching their own hybrid or electric trucks rather than conventional gas trucks.
According to
Torque News
, the Toyota Hybrid System “is a class leader when it comes to the best gas/electric platform on the planet.” If this is the case, then why not launch a Prius truck? Toyota already has the technology and the basic vehicle frame, so it stands to reason that wouldn’t be too massive of an undertaking for the automaker. The Prius truck could be a utility vehicle with excellent fuel economy.
Many people who could use a small-bed truck for hauling, utility, and lifestyle reasons don’t buy them due to the cost, the size, and the gas-guzzling nature of traditional pickups. A Prius truck would cover this segment of the market: people looking for smaller beds and great fuel economy.
Versatility of a Prius truck
For those Prius lovers who would like more versatility and options, a Prius pickup would fill the void between traditional pickup trucks and SUVs. City dwellers who need to haul gear, luggage, lumber, or camping gear, while still fitting into tiny parking spots, would be an ideal consumer base.
Singles or couples who aren’t looking for typical trucks for various reasons might benefit from a versatile utility vehicle with a small footprint, an affordable price, and a Toyota hybrid engine.
MORE: Which Prius Is Best?
CAFE ratings
Torque News reports that “every carmaker is under scrutiny to provide high fuel economy ratings in their fleet line up. CAFE or corporate average fuel economy is a government-mandated regulation that requires all carmakers to hit a certain standard.”
A Prius pickup could help aid Toyota in achieving better CAFE ratings, adding yet another fuel-efficient hybrid to offset their ratings with other vehicles in their lineup. To meet these regulations, automakers are often turning out new fuel-efficient technology cars faster than they should, resulting in vehicles that end up with massive safety recalls.
This may not be a problem with the Prius truck. Since the Prius technology is proven and reliable, it would hopefully just be a matter of reconfiguring the body and making some slight adjustments. Toyota wouldn’t be designing a whole new vehicle from the ground up.
MORE: How to Turn Your Toyota Prius Into a Temporary Generator
Insurance for your Prius
Some Prius owners feel so strongly about wanting a Prius truck, they’ve already turned their Priuses into pickups on their own! Regardless of whether your Prius has been DIYed into a truck or not, you’re going to need car insurance coverage.
Have you tried
Jerry
yet? After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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