Toyota Files 'TJ Cruiser' Trademark; Name Could Adorn a Compact Crossover

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

A concept vehicle which bowed at April’s New York International Auto Show could adopt a somewhat familiar name if it makes it to production.

Toyota has filed a trademark application for the TJ Cruiser name — a moniker which harkens back to the large, rugged and funky FJ Cruiser of yesteryear. However, if this name does find its way to a production vehicle, don’t expect similar proportions.

The application, filed on May 25th and uncovered by AutoGuide, covers “Automobiles and structural parts thereof.” Right now, the only potential future model that carries any off-road potential is the FT-4X Concept revealed in New York. That vehicle, infuriatingly aimed at “casual core” urban Millennial types, rides atop the same platform as Toyota’s Prius hybrid and front-drive C-HR crossover.

When the C-HR bowed with no all-wheel-drive option, it seemed the automaker was either kissing off a crucial segment of buyers or playing its cards close to the vest. If put into production, the four-wheel-drive FT-4X would offer buyers more off-road capability than a C-HR and a versatile interior designed for adventure It would also need a new name.

While many aspects of the concept vehicle appeared gimmicky and unlikely to see production, the basic elements seem like a sure bet. At the show, Toyota boasted of the FT-4X’s aggressive arrival and departure angles, selectable low range and beefed-up double-wishbone rear suspension and McPherson front struts. A “punchy” small-displacement four-cylinder would provide motivation, said the automaker.

While there’s no confirmation as to whether the vehicle will make it to production, if it does, we’re now pretty sure of its name.

[Image: Toyota Motor Corporation]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Geozinger Geozinger on May 30, 2017

    Heh! The Toyota Renegade. Epic fail.

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    • Boobypoomanhoo Boobypoomanhoo on Jun 01, 2017

      @JohnTaurus Yup, I'd say. As far as the compact CUV is concerned anyway. 106,000 sold in USA last year, and it's on track to do better this year. As a quick comparison, that's WAY beyond the CX-3, RVR, and HR-V.

  • Polishdon Polishdon on May 31, 2017

    Wonder if FCA will try and block the name ? TJ sounds ALOT like CJ which is a known Jeep name/trademark. FJ does not sound a lot like CJ, but TJ does

  • Flipper35 Flipper35 on May 31, 2017

    The front bumper and the way it is painted looks awful to me. I hope the production unit fares better.

  • Yankinwaoz Yankinwaoz on May 31, 2017

    I hope that Toyota realizes that TJ is the nickname for the city of Tijuana, the Mexican border town in Baja next to San Diego. Anyhow.. TJ Cruiser sounds like a drink you would order in Rosarita Beach. Or some tricked out low-rider parked on Avenida_Revolución on a Saturday evening.

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