Unveiling soon at the 2017 Tokyo Auto Show, the Toyota TJ Cruiser concept is the marriage of a van and a SUV into the ultimate utilitarian vehicle. We think …

The “Toolbox Joy” vehicle (yes, that is really what it stands for) is basically a utilitarian’s dream with fully flat folding seats throughout the cabin. You could quite literally fold them all down and basically have a truck bed. Or, well, whatever the hell else you would want to shove in like surf boards, golf clubs, 2x4s. We think it will probably carry most anything you can think of and more.

Also, you can carry at least four people based on the photos. It is hard to tell whether the rear has more seating, but it doesn’t look like it.

Carrying it all is the easy part. Hauling it might be another with the small 2.0L gasoline engine mated to an electric motor and automatic transmission. Toyota says it would be offered in both front- or four-wheel drive if, well, IF they build it.

According to TopGear.com, building this vehicle is actually a good possibility. They say, “Toyota’s tone of voice suggests it isn’t something that’ll be scurried away into a collection once the show finishes, and the interior looks a handful of buttons away from being production-ready.”

This concept really pushes the question on what we purchase a vehicle for – looks or utility. If we truly favor the former, then this is a dead-on arrival vehicle. For the latter, we can’t recall another vehicle built by a major automaker that offers this much utility.

We also find it curious Toyota would announce it can come in either a front- or four-wheel drive. Typically this information is not shared when a concept is revealed.

What do you think? Love it or hate it?

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