Toyota T100
The T100 was Toyota’s first attempt at cracking the North American full-sized pick up truck market. The company thought it had found a niche for a more economical pick up with a size and engine that slot it between the midsized and full-sized trucks of that time. Unfortunately for Toyota, it was considered too small and didn’t meet expectations. In 1999 it was replaced by the Toyota Tundra, which was a full-sized pick up that could directly compete with the domestic trucks.
Toyota T100 Overview
The Toyota T100 was a full-size pickup truck introduced by Toyota in late 1992 for the 1993 model year as a response to the growing U.S. demand for larger pickups. It was positioned to fill the gap between the smaller Toyota Pickup (later named Tacoma) and the larger American full-size trucks.
The T100 was Toyota’s first foray into the full-size pickup market in North America. While the truck was larger than the Toyota Pickup, it was still smaller in terms of size and capability than the domestic full-size trucks from Ford, GM, and Dodge. The T100 targeted buyers who wanted a bit more capability than compact pickups but did not necessarily need the full capacity of the traditional American full-size truck.
While classified as a full-size truck, the T100 was notably smaller than its American counterparts, especially in width. The T100 was initially offered only as a regular cab and an extended cab (called the Xtracab). A crew cab version (double cab) was introduced later. The T100 featured a long bed, which made it suitable for various hauling tasks. One notable absence in the T100’s lineup was a V8 engine option, which many American buyers expected in a full-size truck.
The T100 started with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. In 1995, a 2.7-liter inline-four was introduced as a base engine, and by 1997, Toyota upgraded the V6 to a more powerful 3.4-liter variant. : Buyers could choose between a manual or automatic transmission, with both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrain options available. Like many Toyota vehicles, the T100 was known for its reliability and durability, but it faced challenges in terms of towing capacity compared to its American counterparts.
Toyota T100 Sales Figures
The T100 had modest sales, primarily due to its smaller size and lack of a V8 option, which were important factors for many full-size truck buyers in the U.S. The T100 was produced until 1998. It was effectively replaced by the larger Toyota Tundra in 1999, which addressed many of the criticisms of the T100 by offering a V8 engine and a size more comparable to American full-size trucks.
Toyota T100 US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 22,028 |
| 1994 | 14,980 |
| 1995 | 37,467 |
| 1996 | 37,926 |
| 1997 | 20,933 |
| 1998 | 7,959 |
| 1999 | 225 |
| 2000 | 13 |
