View Photos of the Volkswagen Tarok Concept

Volkswagen, it seems, is quite interested in entering the lucrative pickup-truck market here in the U.S., and considering sales numbers for trucks, who can blame VW? The company is proceeding deliberately, showing the Tarok compact pickup concept at this year's New York auto show to "gauge market reaction" after having done the same with the larger Atlas Tanoak concept at last year's show. Volkswagen has confirmed that the Tarok is destined for dealer showrooms-but those showrooms will be located in South America.

Volkswagen spokesman Mark Gillies told C/D that VW has "evidence" that some buyers think of pickups as "too big, pricey, and not very fuel efficient, so we want to see what reaction would be to a smaller and more fuel-efficient concept." Is there room for a smaller, more fuel-efficient, unibody pickup truck here among the larger mid- and full-size trucks currently selling like hotcakes?

We think so, especially if it's as stylish and useful as the Tarok concept. The truck's party trick is a reconfigurable cargo bed that can accommodate freight as long as 73.2 inches via a foldable panel behind the Tarok's back seat.

The compact pickup is back, and Volkswagen is likely considering throwing its hat in this ring that currently includes the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz (well, in the United States at least). If it does, then the German automaker’s Tarok concept from the 2019 New York auto show likely previews the vehicle with which VW plans to compete in this space.

At first glance, the Tarok appears to follow essentially the same compact-pickup blueprints as the Maverick and Santa Cruz. Yet, this VW concept includes one special trick missing from Ford’s and Hyundai’s small trucks: a midgate. As such, the four-door Tarok concept is able to haul items as long as six feet with its tailgate closed, topping the figures of the midgate-less Maverick and Santa Cruz by more than a foot.

The Tarok's cabin is stuffed with goodies, including a digital gauge display, a 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a removable Bluetooth speaker in the center console.

The concept's large glass roof panel lets the sun shine in, and the truck's styling is accented by an aluminum hoop that runs up the body behind the rear doors, around the top of the roof, and down the other side.