Toyota Rush - Top alternatives

If you are looking for an affordable, reliable, and durable 7-seater MPV in Malaysia, chances are you will be pointed towards one specific vehicle above all others. And that vehicle would be the latest Toyota Rush. Launched almost a year ago in October 2018, the latest model of the Rush has been doing pretty great in the local market because of the changes that Toyota implemented.

To give you hindsight, the Toyota Rush price starts at RM 93,000 for its base 1.5G variant. There are only two Rush variants available. The other one is the 1.5S which costs RM 97,000. As you would have guessed by now, both the models are powered by the same 1.5-litre engine that produces 105 PS of max power and 136 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. There is no option for manual.

The new Rush has attracted many buyers because of the way it looks. Toyota did a great job and developed a much more modern design for the Rush. It features an aggressive front end with a large grille, sharp and sporty alloy wheels, and an exciting rear end as well. On the inside, there is space for accommodating seven people however, the last row isn’t really great for adults.

Clearly, for the money you pay, Toyota Rush tries to offer you a lot. However, there are certain other 7-seaters out there that are worth considering.

Perodua Aruz

If you like the Toyota Rush, you are going to like the Perodua Aruz. That’s because both these vehicles are very, very similar to each other. Looks, design, equipment, engine, interior, almost everything is more or less the same.

Perodua boasts about the Aruz’s 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating which has been possible as it comes loaded with safety features like six airbags (front, side & curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-start Assist (HSA), etc. It also comes with Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 package which includes Pre-collision Warning (PCW) with pedestrian detection, Pre-collision Braking (PCB), Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), and Front Departure Alert (FDA).

Some of the highlighting interior features of the Aruz are digital AC with memory function and rear ceiling-mounted vents, dual USB and 12V power sockets, built-in toll reader, push-button engine start, six-speaker sound system, and a 7-inch resistive touchscreen unit with support for Bluetooth, MP3, and USB. The top-end model even has built-in navigation, 'Smart Link' connectivity feature for Android devices and HDMI support.

Perodua Aruza price starts at RM 72,900 which is significantly less than that of the Toyota Rush. This is one of the reasons why the Malaysians prefer Aruza over Toyota Rush.

Honda BR-V

Honda BR-V has been taking care of many Malaysian families for a very long time by being a very good family MPV. It is indeed a 7-seater and just like most of the other options in this segment, the last row of seats is best for the kids. The latest model of the BR-V is available in two variants - 1.5L E and 1.5L V - that come at RM 80,989 and RM 87,701 respectively. These are powered by the same 1.5-litre engine which is designed to produce around 120 PS of max power at 6600 rpm and 145 Nm of peak torque at 4600 rpm. You only get Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT (continuously variable transmission) along with it.

In terms of looks, Honda has played very safely with the BR-V. Its design isn’t too aggressive and in-the-face to be discarded by more mature people and at the same time, it isn’t too dull and lame for the youngsters to dislike it. So it is kind of a perfect blend. The interior is pretty comfortable and spacious. The seats are well contoured and provide good support. There is also a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can be synchronized with the smartphone with the help of Bluetooth or USB. Honda BR-V has also received a 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating. So you don’t need to worry about the safety of your loved ones.

Toyota Rush is indeed a great package overall but we can’t deny the fact that the Perodua Aruz and Honda BR-V too are very tempting. These three vehicles are among the best ones out there in the affordable 7-seater segment that you can buy today. What do you guys think? Do let us know.

Also Read:- 2019 Toyota Rush: Which variant should you buy?