It seems South America just can't get enough of compact pickup trucks. From the Ram Rampage to the Chevrolet Montana, as well as the Ford Maverick, South America just loves compact unibody pickup trucks, and Toyota wants in on the action.

Recently, a Brazil-based publication spotted a camouflaged pickup truck traveling on a highway in Sao Paolo. Based on its appearance, despite the camo livery, the disguised pickup truck appears to be heavily based on the Corolla Cross.

From the cabin area to the hood, it's quite apparent the vehicle is a Corolla Cross. However, it has a bed in the back, along with boxy rear wheel arches, a massive tailgate, a stepboard to easily access the cargo area, and what appear to be full-width LED taillights (albeit covered).

The fact that a running, camouflaged prototype is already being driven on public roads likely means Toyota is past the developmental stages of its latest vehicle. Since details are scarce at the moment, the Corolla Cross-based pickup truck likely uses a modified TNGA platform and may likely be available in FWD or with AWD.

This essentially puts Toyota's compact pickup truck against the likes of the aforementioned Ram Rampage, Ford Maverick, Fiat Toro, and the Chevrolet Montana, which are all compact unibody pickup trucks.

As far as its powertrain is concerned, the Corolla Cross-based pickup truck will likely have a hybrid powertrain in the form of the 1.8L electrified engine. However, a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine may also be offered, depending on how Toyota packages its upcoming pickup truck. Last but not least, the compact pickup may also come with E-Four AWD in high-grade variants.

Toyota's mystery pickup truck is expected to be revealed sometime in 2027 and may be manufactured at the automaker's Sorocaba plant in Brazil, from which Toyota also manufactures the Corolla Cross.

Would a Corolla Cross-based pickup truck make sense in countries like the Philippines?