Hyundai is gearing up for a comeback with the upcoming 2025 model year, featuring several updates and novelties showcased at the 2024 New York International Auto Show alongside the facelifted 2025 Hyundai Tucson. Despite its improvements, the Santa Cruz still lacks a hybrid powertrain.
Meanwhile, Ford is not resting on its laurels with the 2025 Ford Maverick, which was America’s favorite small truck in the past year. Rumors abound about the 2025MY prototypes, hinting at minor styling upgrades, the introduction of the anticipated Maverick Lobo trim, and enhanced tech features like SYNC 4 for the infotainment system. This sets the stage for an ongoing two-way battle in the compact pickup truck segment.
However, enthusiasts and digital content creators are hopeful for a third contender to shake up the competition. Speculations once swirled around Toyota potentially reviving the Stout or transforming the Corolla Cross into a compact pickup truck for the North American market. Yet, Toyota’s focus has been on other segments like the N400 Tacoma, the revamped Land Cruiser, and the all-new 2025 4Runner.
Subaru remains a topic of interest, with virtual automotive artists envisioning a hybrid revival of the original Baja from 2003-2006. Dimas Ramadhan, the creative mind behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has imagined a modern Baja HEV styled as a conventional four-door pickup truck with Subaru’s latest design elements. While these speculations keep enthusiasts intrigued, the ongoing battle between Ford and Hyundai continues to dominate the compact pickup truck world in the US.
