Toyota Rush - Hits & misses

Launched in Malaysia in 2018, the Toyota Rush caused a stir in the entry-level and affordable 7-seater MPV segment. With its modern and sportier looks, large dimensions, and, of course, 7-seating capabilities, it emerged as one of the best options available in its segment. Today, it continues to hold a firm place in the Malaysian market. In this article, we are going to make you aware of the Toyota Rush pros and cons. But before we dive into the topic, here’s the price list of the Rush.

Toyota Rush price in Malaysia 

Variant	Price
1.5 G	RM 93,000
1.5 S	RM 97,000

As you would already know, Toyota Rush is available in two trims - 1.5 G and 1.5 S. Both of them are powered by the same 1.5-litre engine.

So let’s get Toyota Rush engine specifications out of the way as well.

Specifications	1.5 G / 1.5 S
Engine type	4-cylinder, In-line, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Displacement	1,496 cc
Max. Output (SAE-NET) kW(PS) / rpm	77 (105) / 6,000
Max. Torque (SAE-NET) Nm / rpm	136 / 4,200
Auto Stop-Start	With
Transmission	4-speed Automatic

 

Toyota Rush pros

Aggressive design

There is no doubt that Toyota Rush is a good-looking vehicle. However, when you really look at it, not just a quick glimpse, you would appreciate the designers’ work at Toyota. The Rush has an aggressive and sporty design. At the front, it gets full-LED headlights that are sharp and sleek. They have a glossy 4-piece front grille in the middle which also houses the brand logo. Combine this with the large and sporty front bumper with blacked-out fog lamp housings and the front fascia is completed. The rear end of the Rush is also great-looking. In fact, it looks as good as, if not better, that of the Toyota Fortuner.

Some of the key exterior elements are-

• LED rear combination lights
• Sporty 17-inch alloy wheels
• Blacked-out side skirting
• Roof rails
• Power-operated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals

Spacious cabin

Since Rush is a 7-seater, it is quite obvious that it will have a spacious cabin. There is enough room for the 2nd-row passengers to move around. Just like any other similar 7-seater, the 3rd-row should be left for kids as they wouldn’t be too comfortable for adults, especially during long journeys.

Following are some other interior features that we like-

• 13 cup holders
• Smart entry and start system
• Automatic AC with rear blower
• 6.8-in display with USB, AUX, Bluetooth, USB mirroring
• 6 speakers
• 2 USB charging ports
• Digital video recorder
• Panoramic view monitor

Low & mid-range performance

As we mentioned earlier, the Toyota Rush specs list a 1.5-litre engine that produces 105 PS at 6000 revs and 136 Nm at 4600 revs. As a result, Rush offers good low and mid-range performance. This means driving it in the city and traffic is relatively easier even though it is a large vehicle. Also, Rush has a tight turning radius of 5.2 metres.

5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating

Toyota always keeps safety as its top-most priority and the Rush is no exception. It has scored a perfect 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating in both Adult and Child Occupant categories. Some of the safety features which helped Toyota to achieve this impressive rating are-

• 6 SRS airbags (driver, front passenger, side and curtain)
• ABS with EBD and Brake assist
• Vehicle stability control
• Traction control
• Blind-spot monitor
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Front and rear parking sensors

The Rush also has few active safety features like Pre-collision system that includes pre-collision warning and pre-collision braking, front departure alert, and Pedal misoperation control.

SUV like dimensions

Toyota Rush not only looks like an SUV but also has similar dimensions. Its approach and departure angles are very SUV like. Also, the 220 mm of ground clearance means you don’t need to worry about scraping the underbody and perhaps do some mild off-roading as well.

5-year warranty

Toyota is currently offering a 5-year warranty with its Rush. This shows the brand’s confidence in its product. This could also be one of the selling points of the vehicle as it would help customers to put their minds at ease and enjoy the vehicle.

Toyota Rush cons

4-speed transmission

Both the trims of Toyota Rush are equipped with the same 4-speed automatic transmission. While it works smoothly in city driving conditions, things don’t remain the same when you hit a highway and reach higher speeds. The engine seems to be under stress as to maintain higher speeds, revs are high too because of the 4-speed gearbox. The struggle becomes more prominent when you try to overtake at such speeds. This results in a poor fuel economy and overall bad driving experience.

Limited boot capacity

Well, this is the case with most of the 7-seaters out there. With the 3rd-row up, the boot capacity gets drastically reduced. You certainly can’t carry 7 people with all their luggage. However, with the 3rd-row folded down (50:50 fashion), the boot capacity increases more than double. If you want more space, even the 2nd-row can be arranged as per your requirement as it can be 60:40 split-fold with a one-touch tumble.

Interior quality

Although in its latest iteration, Rush has got a good interior, there are some plastic bits here and there that we think Toyota could have improved. Yes, we understand that various measures are taken to keep the cost in check but when we look at Rush as a whole, it appears to be a pretty good package and that’s why we think it should have a better interior.

So what do you think of Toyota Rush? Let us know in the comments.