[john.p]

The more you look into where the CH-R falls short and what the TJ/FT-4X is positioned to do, its easy to see the problems it can solve.

I'll save you guys some homework, here's a run down of the CH-R:

• inconvenient rear passenger door handle position
• small rear passenger windows (via coupe styling)
• ONLY a black interior
• ONLY front-wheel drive
• lacks entune infotainment (toyota's latest tech)
• poor power-to-weight ratio
• heavy steering feel

Don't get me wrong, the CH-R is a good product, not great. But some areas where it falls short makes you question what Toyota had in mind.

 

[ToyoForLife]

While the C-HR has style in spades, it lacked in everything else. The initial feeling of awe I had was quickly squashed by its poor performance and dingy rear passenger seats. Doubtful the TJ Cruiser will look very similar to the concept, but maybe it'll take after the 4Runner a bit in terms of styling.

 

[RoughDay]

The more you look into where the CH-R falls short and what the TJ/FT-4X is positioned to do, its easy to see the problems it can solve.

I'll save you guys some homework, here's a run down of the CH-R:

• inconvenient rear passenger door handle position
• small rear passenger windows (via coupe styling)
• ONLY a black interior
• ONLY front-wheel drive
• lacks entune infotainment (toyota's latest tech)
• poor power-to-weight ratio
• heavy steering feel

Don't get me wrong, the CH-R is a good product, not great. But some areas where it falls short makes you question what Toyota had in mind.

Good thing that you mentioned that as the concept for the TJ Cruiser actually has something very similar to it. Really awkward, high up, rear door handle.

 

[NY-TJ]

I heard a lot about the poor power output of that 2.0 engine. It's a massive downfall to the CH-R. Lucky for Toyota they have been getting a lot of interest purely off of design. To the average buyer a CH-R is perfect, they won't pick at these things as much as we do.

 

[ToyoForLife]

That door handle is nice for keeping the rear doors clean looking, but not much else and I'd prefer the old school handles you don't need to reach upwards and twist your wrist to grab.

Toyota most likely knows that old FJ owners could potentially be their biggest TJ market. That crowd won't go for sub-par performance that feels like it struggles on acceleration.

 

[NY-TJ]

Toyota most likely knows that old FJ owners could potentially be their biggest TJ market. That crowd won't go for sub-par performance that feels like it struggles on acceleration.

Wrong.

FJ is in an entirely different segment. FJ owners probably hate the TJ because it doesn't offer them anywhere near the capability the FJ does. TJ is just Toyota's way to fit in the Renegades segment. If it wasn't for the Renegades success I doubt Toyota would be doing this.

 

[RoughDay]

It's almost like the same way Wrangler owners feel about Renegades. They look at them like toys that aren't capable of anything even though the Trailhawks really aren't that bad at all.

 

[ToyoForLife]

I see the Renegade and TJ Cruiser as entry models to the world of off-roading, if they enjoy what those can do and want more then they can upgrade to more adventurous models.

But Toyota will definitely have an off-road trim for the TJ Cruiser and that should be more than adequate for most.

 

[NY-TJ]

I see the Renegade and TJ Cruiser as entry models to the world of off-roading, if they enjoy what those can do and want more then they can upgrade to more adventurous models.

But Toyota will definitely have an off-road trim for the TJ Cruiser and that should be more than adequate for most.

TRD trims have been getting good feedback so it should happen. A lot of people love the TRD 4Runner, TRD Tacoma and TRD Tundra. But even those aren't that attainable, TJ TRD should become a hit.

 

[ToyoForLife]

If the TJ Cruiser does get a TRD trim, it could come standard with TRD Bilstein high performance shocks with TRD-tuned springs. Of course there's going to be skid plates too.

 

[RoughDay]

Even if they don't make it a trim and just release a line of TRD performance products, those will fly off the shelf really well too. Have them listed as options when you're building it and they'd see some good sales.

 

[NY-TJ]

if the Renegade crowd is any indication of that then yes, plus this will see a younger demographic of buyers, younger folks are more likely to do these compared to older demographics that prefer buying a model with those parts.

do you see yourself getting TRD parts?

 

[RoughDay]

All depends on what comes out and what the aftermarket counterparts look like price wise along with the style of it all. At the end of the day, the parts do have to look aesthetically pleasing for me of course.

 

[NY-TJ]

All depends on what comes out and what the aftermarket counterparts look like price wise along with the style of it all. At the end of the day, the parts do have to look aesthetically pleasing for me of course.

But what specific parts or areas would you want parts for? I'm sure you have something in mind. Style and pricing is just one part of it but what i mentioned is the other part.

 

[RoughDay]

Oh my apologies, but the parts I would be looking towards are air intake, some sort of exhaust (cat-back preferably, probably won't change the headers), and suspension. If they do come out with TRD wheels... add those to the list...

 

[ToyoForLife]

One thing we won't have to worry about in the concept is rear view because the whole tailgate seems to be one large window pane. At least it won't have a steep rake that reduces rear visibility and there's no need to gauge the distance your rear bumper is to whatever is behind you when the tailgate is so flat.

 

[RoughDay]

I doubt they'd keep in like that for production though. Doubt it'll pass safety standards as you can imagine, an impact to the rear would result in that whole trunk imploding and sending glass everywhere. There is no structural rigidity there whatsoever.

 

[NY-TJ]

I'm expecting a traditional rear end, nothing different from what we have been seeing in the current FJ generation and previous generations. I'll be surprised if they do something drastically different. But given the purpose behind that design, there's a possibility.

 

[ToyoForLife]

Even if the rear window is smaller than what we see on the concept, its rear is still not as raked as the C-HR, giving us a better view of whats behind the TJ. I think Toyota would go for a more practical design compared to the C-HR.

 

[RoughDay]

The only way it'll be possible is if they add a ton of framework to it which would inevitably mess up the idea and concept behind it. It won't make it.