Toyota Tj Cruiser: When SUV and a Van meet in one car

Toyota is looking to appeal to those who would like the roominess of a cargo van and the powerful design of an SUV stuffed together in one vehicle, with the new Tj Cruiser Concept.

Designed “for drivers with lifestyles where work and play dovetail seamlessly”, according to the manufacturer, the study’s Tj initials stand for ‘Toolbox’ and ‘joy’, while the ‘Cruiser’ has a long tradition with Toyota.

It features a boxy design, special coating used on the hood, roof, and fenders to protect them against scratches and dirt, sturdy suspension, and 20-inch wheels, wrapped in chunky tires, which, combined with the on-demand all-wheel drive system will help it get out of some muddy situations.

Understanding why Toyota’s designers chose this weird shape means checking out the cabin, and to do so, you can either use the regular front doors, or the sliding rear ones that provide better access inside. The show car’s front and rear passenger seats can be folded down flat, and this allows users to load items up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length.

Moreover, hauling things such as surfboards, bikes, or other equipment can be made safely, thanks to the numerous tie-down points and deck boards that enable easy anchoring.

Beneath its versatile body lies the next-generation TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture), and a hybridized 2.0-liter that have yet to be detailed, but the manufacturer will likely share everything there is to know about the Tj Cruiser Concept during the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, where it debuts on October 25.