Toyota Reportedly Going into Production with TJ Cruiser

Toyota is pushing through with its TJ Cruiser concept in Japan, according to an article published by Best Car. The report cites Toru Endo, a person connected to the automaker’s dealer network, as source and claims the model is scheduled to debut by October with sales beginning in 2020.

The TJ Cruiser concept was introduced at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show with a distinct boxy exterior that resembles a van. Its design is said to emphasize the vehicle’s usability where the front and second row seats can go flat for easier loading of items.

The model’s production version is also reportedly going to be shorter than Toyota’s C-HR crossover. However, the TJ Cruiser will be taller for more interior volume. It is also likely that the production version will be fitted with traditional doors instead of the sliding types originally presented to the public.

Toyota is allegedly offering the TJ Cruiser in two-row and three-row layouts, with both versions getting the seats that can be folded flat. This could be an attractive feature for buyers looking for bigger cabin capacity.

Under the hood, the TJ Cruiser is said to get the brand’s 1.8-liter hybrid-assisted four-cylinder engine, which is the same one loaded in the Prius and Corolla Hybrid. But it will only be offered in an all-wheel drive setup. Another possible option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive setup.

The idea of a small van with a larger seating capacity than most sedans and more features than most vans could be the TJ Cruiser’s unique selling point. But Toyota has not given any confirmation if the model will be released in global markets at the moment. It doesn’t seem too farfetched, though, for the TJ Cruiser to come to American shores considering that it rides on the TGNA platform and is powered by the same powertrains that are already available on the market.