Toyota Brings Back Scion with a Tiny Pickup Truck - Could It Work in Vermont?
Toyota is bringing back a familiar name, but not in the way many people might expect. After retiring Scion in 2016, the automaker plans to revive the brand in late 2027 with an unusual little four-wheel-drive pickup called the Scion by Toyota KEI-01.
At just 11 feet long, this tiny truck is designed for utility rather than highway travel. Could something like this find a place on farms, work sites and rural properties around Central Vermont?
Scion Makes a Comeback - With a Different Mission
Many drivers remember Scion as Toyota's youthful, unconventional brand, known for vehicles such as the boxy xB. Introduced in the early 2000s, Scion offered distinctive styling and a different approach to car shopping before Toyota discontinued the brand in 2016.
Now Toyota is bringing the name back, but instead of focusing on affordable passenger cars, the new Scion by Toyota subbrand will explore specialized vehicles that don't fit neatly into Toyota's traditional lineup.
The KEI-01 mini pickup is expected to be the first vehicle offered under this revived name.
Meet Toyota's Tiny KEI-01 Pickup
Inspired by the compact kei trucks commonly used in Japan, the KEI-01 is designed to be a practical work vehicle in places where a full-size pickup may be unnecessary.
- Length: Approximately 11 feet
- Seating: Two passengers in a right-hand-drive cab
- Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
- Engine: Three-cylinder gasoline engine
- Maximum speed: 25 mph
- Utility: Flatbed cargo area with fold-down sides
The KEI-01 is intended for uses such as farms, construction sites, campuses and commercial properties. Its 25-mph maximum speed also makes an important distinction: this is not a conventional highway-capable pickup truck.
Toyota plans to begin with selected dealers and commercial fleet customers. Pricing and production volumes have not yet been announced.
Could a Tiny Pickup Find a Home in Vermont?
Anyone familiar with the Barre-Montpelier area knows that pickup trucks are popular for good reason. From hauling firewood and maintaining rural property to working on farms and construction projects, trucks serve many purposes throughout Central Vermont.
But not every job requires a full-size pickup.
A compact four-wheel-drive utility truck like the KEI-01 could be interesting for property maintenance, farm chores, landscaping operations and businesses that need to move equipment around private grounds.
Of course, Vermont winters, ground clearance, payload needs and the ability to legally operate on public roads would all be important considerations. The KEI-01's limited top speed means it should not be confused with the used trucks that Vermont drivers rely on for everyday highway transportation.
Still, the idea of a small, maneuverable work truck with four-wheel drive is certainly intriguing.
What Comes Next for Scion?
Toyota is targeting late 2027 for the KEI-01's introduction and plans to use an initial group of participating dealers to learn more about demand. The company is also exploring other specialized mobility concepts under the revived Scion name.
Whether the little pickup eventually becomes widely available to individual buyers remains to be seen.
Here at Central Vermont Auto Mart in Montpelier, we enjoy seeing unusual new ideas in the automotive world. And who knows? We'd certainly love to test drive and have one of these little Scion pickups show up in our used truck inventory someday!
Source: Toyota Motor North America, November 10, 2026. Vehicle availability, specifications and road-use eligibility may change.
Want to stay informed about automotive news and industry changes?
Published November 10, 2026
