[RoughDay]

I'm not too sure about you, but typically if I absolutely have to park in sketchy places on the occasion, the first thing that comes to mind is take out anything valuable or removable, kind of why I drive light if you get what I mean.

But it seems like this Toyota TJ Cruiser is essentially a "lego" car if you will. What do I mean by that?

-Dome light is removable (flashlight)
-Audio center is removable (portable boom-box)
-Armrest is removable (North Face sleeping bag)
-Door handle water bottle is removable

Now just looking at them as regular items may not seem like much, but looking at them as direct-fitting OEM Toyota genuine parts, and you'll start to see my concern.

Naturally, I don't care if I lose a water bottle, or flash light, heck even a boom-box. Those can easily be replaced on the cheap if they weren't actually part of the car and function in conjunction with it.

Side note, the North Face sleeping bag... I would probably be pretty peeved if someone stole that regardless if it was an arm-rest or not. Looks to be expensive.

Is anyone else sharing the same concerns as me? A simple smash of the window, and a lot of your "features" are now removed extremely easily. I guess thankfully they won't need to damage anything else but a window to get it all out...?

 

[ToyoForLife]

That's where comprehensive insurance comes in, if an OEM part was lifted from your car the insurance company should pay for a replacement. I'm looking at the concept and those headlights doesn't look that easy to pop out.

 

[RoughDay]

I don't think any headlight is easy to pop out these days, nor have they really been before as it would involve you having to remove bumpers and what not so that's not a concern of mine.

Filing a claim through insurance companies has always been a pain. But sometimes filing claims could even raise your monthly premiums and depending how much your deductible is, you'll have to end up paying some out of pocket as well.

 

[NY-TJ]

As long as its not that easy for crooks to get in the car in the first place then we don't have much to worry about.

Being a new vehicle we have an edge up on these guys. I won't be concerned about it. Odds are removable stuff like this will be optional... I just want any lower trim that gives me the most ruggedness.

 

[RoughDay]

The lower models will be more rugged but would probably more bare in terms of equipment that it comes with. Forgetting about the little trinkets that don't matter to be completely real, the higher trim models would potentially come with better suspension which in turn would make them less bare but more capable? Going for the lowest trim could rob you of all of that.

 

[NY-TJ]

The lower models will be more rugged but would probably more bare in terms of equipment that it comes with. Forgetting about the little trinkets that don't matter to be completely real, the higher trim models would potentially come with better suspension which in turn would make them less bare but more capable? Going for the lowest trim could rob you of all of that.

Great information but wasn't this thread focused around the removable accessories? I only mentioned trims to make sense of where these would be available if they even come to market as part of a trim.

So coming back to that point of mine, I wouldn't worry much about thefts, we have far bigger concerns here.

 

[RoughDay]

Ah, seems I had misinterpreted that then. My apologies.

I may just be paranoid though so you're probably right. That being said, this isn't an old Honda Civic either where you can get in with a coat hanger or a regular slim-jim.

 

[ToyoForLife]

What may be easy to remove on the concept may not be so in the production model, but if they manage to gain access to the cabin then nothing is really safe. That applies to all cars so I'm not that worried.

 

[NY-TJ]

What may be easy to remove on the concept may not be so in the production model, but if they manage to gain access to the cabin then nothing is really safe. That applies to all cars so I'm not that worried.

Probably the best thing they can do for us is include a locking feature. That way with theifs knowing a key is required, they will be completely discouraged. It could be as simple as one simple key function for all lockable accessories. can't be that hard to do, rather simple if you think about it.

 

[ToyoForLife]

that would involve a lot of locking mechanisms wouldn't it? The TJ Cruiser will still need to be an affordable model even with all the sparkles.

 

[NY-TJ]

that would involve a lot of locking mechanisms wouldn't it? The TJ Cruiser will still need to be an affordable model even with all the sparkles.

If its just a sliding bolt for a few key items that you activate from one key/control then it wouldn't be that bad, simple actually. Easiest way is to probably not do that and recommend that owners store these items in the cargo area if it concerns them.

 

[ToyoForLife]

But it's parts of the TK Cruiser's body, can't really store them in the cargo area. Well you can but that defeats the purpose of their design. Well, if a thief really wants your TJ Cruiser, they'll find a way to take it or break in. Just gotta install a tracker if possible and hide it somewhere in the body.

 

[Backup]

Well, the concept was pretty much just Toyota engineers showing off what they can do with a lifestyle interior so a lot of those removable features won't be included. I'll actually be very happy if the interior is similar to what their current SUVs have, a sizable infotainment screen and center console with the usual buttons/knobs, comfortable seats, etc.

That's less parts thieves can steal unless they take the whole car.

 

[NY-TJ]

Well, the concept was pretty much just Toyota engineers showing off what they can do with a lifestyle interior so a lot of those removable features won't be included. I'll actually be very happy if the interior is similar to what their current SUVs have, a sizable infotainment screen and center console with the usual buttons/knobs, comfortable seats, etc.

That's less parts thieves can steal unless they take the whole car.

I'd like to see a mashup of what we seen in the FJ and then in newer cars like the Corolla and CH-R which to me have amazing interiors. Previous compact Toyotas didn't do as well.

 

[ToyoForLife]

The CH-R was certainly unique when it came to interior and exterior design. If the TJ Cruiser stays as boxy as the concept, it'll definitely stick out. Toyota will need to figure out how to make the interior mirror that chunky exterior look without making it look too much like a square, a fine balance that'll be hard to hit.

 

[Backup]

What I'd like to see is for Toyota to enclose the dash. Additional storage is nice, but with it being an open concept the dash looks unfinished and not very streamlined. That would prevent you from rotating the vent as much as the ad clip, but who really dries their hair using those vents anyways?

 

[ToyoForLife]

some of the concept's design does make me question how practical those features really are in a driver's daily life or even the weekend trip for that matter. But like all concepts and production models, what you see later will be greatly toned down, especially if the concept is this out of the norm.

 

[RoughDay]

Things like these are heavily more inclined to be drastically toned down then the exterior I'm coming to realize. If the C-HR is anything but a prime example. Everyone thought the exterior was going to get crazy dialed down and well... we just ended up with crazy.

 

[NY-TJ]

Its practical to certain degrees and one thing for sure it will be better left to a special trim. A base model that doesn't differ much from what we've been used to from Toyota is the way to go aside from color scheme's and updated design. An adventure model with these removable items is appropriate.