toyota TJ cruiser incorporates the strengths of a van with an SUV

toyota unveils its new crossover genre concept vehicle, the ‘TJ cruiser’ at the 45th tokyo motor show 2017. the ‘TJ cruiser’ represents the harmonious balance between the roominess of a cargo van, and the powerful design of an SUV.

all images © toyota

toyota’s ‘TJ cruiser’ was designed for drivers with lifestyles where work and play dovetail seamlessly. the ‘T’ stands for ‘toolbox’, alluding to how it can be used like a toolbox, while the ‘J’ stands for ‘joy’ in reference to experiencing new places by car. the name ‘cruiser’, which is traditionally reserved for the japanese-automaker’s SUV lineup, expresses the power of the vehicle. inside, the passenger seats can be reclined completely flat, allowing the car to accomodate extra large items such as 3 meter long surfboards and bikes.

the square-shaped cabin, similar to that of a van, exudes high utility. meanwhile, the sturdy suspension realized by large SUV-sized tires is fused with a bold front. the hood, roof, and fenders use materials (with a protective coating) that can resist scratches and dirt, even when objects accidentally come into contact with them.

the front and rear passenger seats can be reclined completely flat for storing long items up to 3 meters in length. the backs of the seats and deck boards include numerous tie-down points to enable easy anchoring of items from small packages to longer objects. moreover, the large opening of the back door makes for easy loading and unloading of large items such as bikes.

the seat cushion on the passenger seat directly behind the driver can be flipped up towards the front to create dedicated space for storing groceries or shopping items. the large openings of the sliding doors also enable loading and unloading of large items from the sides, and easy entry and exit for family members.