Toyota Rush

The Toyota Rush was launched in 2018 as a quick response to a then-fast rising starter seven-seater multipurpose vehicle (MPV) segment. That arena included the likes of the Suzuki Ertiga, Mitsubishi Xpander, [the now-discontinued] Honda Mobilio, and eventually the Geely Okavango.

The Toyota Rush also presented itself as a private vehicle several notches above the Avanza MPV, with the latter toting a preconceived (but unfair) notion of being a public utility vehicle. Touchscreen and Apple CarPlay-backed in-car entertainment, a reverse gear-activated camera, and six airbags were among the features that made the Rush seem better than its Avanza stablemate.    

Besides its Toyota badging, arguably the biggest selling point of the Rush was its initial price of admission, with its sweet spot being a mid-tier P988,000 1.5 E AT (automatic transmission). Included in the roster was a Php 948,000 1.5 E MT (manual transmission) base model, and a range topping Php 1.07 million 1.5 G AT.

Four years hence, the Toyota Rush has ditched its G-grade variant. In its place now sits the Toyota Rush GR-S (Gazoo Racing Sport) with Gazoo Racing exterior upgrades (bumpers, grille, and door cladding only), plus GR-S badging and Gazoo Racing-inspired rims specific to the top and variant.

Inspired by its Toyota Fortuner midsize sport-ute relative, the Toyota Rush’s body conveys a willingness to haul six to seven Filipinos and their luggage good for three-day, out-of-town, or staycation sojourns. The grill design, however, calls to mind an MPV stablemate closer to its vehicle classification – namely, the Toyota Innova and its 2014-2016 mid-cycle change model. The trapezoidal shape of the Toyota Innova of that vintage and the pronounced slats bear resemblance to the Rush’s mug, sort of like a smile with multiple dental retainers.

Headlights

As with its Toyota Avanza and Toyota Innova direct brethren, the Toyota Rush has rather squinty headlights. Light emitting diode (LED) pieces for the main beams come standard, along with fog lamps. In addition, the Advanced Tech LED Headlamp technology which is certain to provide perfect and bright lighting results. Meanwhile, flanked by a pair of headlamps, the grille on this Toyota Rush looks so sporty carrying the Dashing Dark style which is chrome-plated so that it makes the appearance of his face look even more fierce.

Apart from its imposing exterior design, all variants of the Toyota Rush comes equipped with front fog lamps, as well as LED headlights and taillights with LED guide lines, plus a good-looking shark-fin antenna and rear spoiler. The top 1.5 G variant comes with smoked-chrome grille, roof rails, and a neat set of 17-inch wheels. The lower E variants, on the other hand, come with shiny chromes and a set of 16-inch alloys. All variants of the Toyota Rush get LED headlights and LED tail lights. The Rush 1.5 S adds automatic LED headlights and front fog lights.

Side and rear

When viewed from the flanks, the Toyota Rush looks like a lowered version of the aforementioned Toyota Fortuner sport-ute. A rather extended overhang from the rear wheels enforces that posit. Ditto with a seemingly long and deep gouge line that runs from the front fender to the D-pillar and taillights. With an integrated concept and flowing contours, the rear lights of the Toyota Rush 2022 are very pleasing to the eye. This Toyota Rush looks like a taillight in the form of an Integrated LED Rear Combination Lamp with a Cutting Edge design. Thus, it will be able to provide sufficient maximum stop lamp lighting with a very modern form.

Dimensions

Since the Toyota Rush is treated as an entry-level utility hauler, the cabin reflects the approach of the Japanese manufacturer. Hard and durable plastics abound (including the material for the steering wheel and the transmission stick), along with white accents on the dashboard and the doors. The top-end Toyota Rush 1.5 GR-S version gets leather for the steering wheel and gear shift knob, plus automatic air conditioning and power-assisted side mirror folding.

As with most of its segment competition, the Toyota Rush’s first two rows are adequate enough to seat five. The third row is best solely for kids and adults below 4’9.”

The in-car infotainment has a seven-inch touchscreen (with WebLink connectivity for Android and Apple smartphones), plus audio controls on the steering wheel. The range-topping GR-S model has Android Auto-Apple CarPlay connectivity for a wider search of music sources and more satellite navigation app options.

Central Console

Meanwhile, stepping on the interior that carried the specifications of this Toyota Rush did not go unnoticed. considering that the front dashboard sector is quite prominent, presented by carrying the Distinctive Soft Touch Dahsboard concept. The concept puts forward a modern premium design that is so dynamic. Interestingly, the dashboard has also been equipped with several fairly sophisticated feature panels. 

The Toyota Rush gets a dual-tone black and beige dashboard design, which looks more stylish than the Aruz. It also gets a different digital air-conditioning control system. The Rush's cabin space is ample in the front cabin and in the second row. The third row, however, is better for children and not-so-tall individuals. There are plenty of cubby holes and storage spaces inside the Rush but ultimately, the car has a total of 13 bottle- and cup-holders. 

Steering wheel

Toyota Rush steering wheel has a design that is comfortable to grip while driving. toyota rush steering wheel made of genuine carbon is very good and exclusive which will add to the appearance of your car more and more different from the others. The Toyota Rush's steering is on the light side, which eases maneuvering. Couple that with the tight turning radius and 360-degree view monitor, parking the Rush is a breeze. Just like the Perodua Aruz, the Rush is built on a (semi) body-on-frame platform.

Front instrument panel

This Toyota Rush has also been equipped with a Stunning Combination Meter on the speedometer. Several display menus of information related to the condition of the car while driving are also shown in digital form with a very neat and attractive arrangement. Such as tachometer, rpm meter, fuel capacity, mileage, and some indicator lights that are so informative. Likewise with the steering wheel which is more comfortable so that its position can be adjusted to the taste of the driver.

On the other hand, to support entertainment features, especially when playing music, Toyota has equipped this Toyota Rush with 8 Surround Sound speakers that will provide a booming sound that is so steady and okay to have. Meanwhile, stepping on the seat, this latest SUV model has a cabin space designed for 7 passengers with three rows of seats.

Space and Practicality

The Toyota Rush's interior practicality is average at best - storage spaces are sufficient, but the Rush lacks a centre armrest storage box, which is useful to keep items safe from prying eyes.It also gets decent-size door pockets for storing water bottles. With the third-row seats up right, the Rush's boot measures 213 litres. Fold and tumble the seat forwards, you can expand the boot space to 514 litres.

Safety

2020-onwards basic standard safety was the phrase that could best describe what the Toyota Rush could do to protect occupants. Discs brakes and drums for the front and rear rollers respectively, an anti-lock and computer box-assisted deceleration distribution, rear bumper parking sensors, a reverse gear-activated camera (with viewing via the aforementioned touchscreen), traction and stability control, seven airbags and child locks for the rear doors is original equipment.

However, Toyota tossed in additional safety aids for the Toyota Rush. A hill-hold function, ISOFIX tethers for the second row of seats, “please put on your seatbelt” warning chimes for all seats, and even push-button ignition also became constants on the Toyota Rush. For the GR-S model, the touchscreen viewing for the reverse gear-activated camera features color-coded guidelines to further aid in parallel parking and long reversing maneuvers.

Comfort Features

The Toyota Rush gets rear air-conditioning vents, 12V socket for the third-row seats, and USB port for charging located on the driver seat. The Rush 1.5 S also adds leather upholstery.

Infotainment features

Features for Entertainment & communication include Touch Screen, AM/FM Radio, Bluetooth Connection, USB Socket, DVD Player, Front Speaker, Rear Speaker and 2DIN Audio.

The naturally aspirated 103 ps and 134 Nm 1.5-liter Dual VVT-i straight four in front of the cabin could be described as a love-hate affair.

On flatlands, the mill exhibits decent to good response, even with slight prodding from the rightmost pedal. On the other hand, forward motion is found to be wanting on inclines – and especially noticeable with the four-speed automatic gearbox. Going uphill is an exercise in patience and fuel consumption reduction, even if the transmission is in second gear. Not helping matters either is the slushbox’s setup that has a short second gear and a tall third gear.

Engine

Engine performance is something that many automotive lovers look at when they want to buy a car, and this is also the advantage of the 2022 Toyota Rush. This car is equipped with a 1.5-liter 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i engine, there are two system options automatic transmission (A/T) and manual transmission system (M/T).

Transmission

A5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. This helps differentiate itself from both the Mitsubishi Xpander and Honda BR-V which are both front-wheel drive.

Fuel consumption

Meanwhile, to support the performance of the Toyota Rush engine to make it more optimal and efficient, Toyota has equipped the spur kitchen sector with a fuel supply system in the form of Electronic Fuel Injection. So, do not be surprised if the performance resulting from the engine that carried the specifications of the Toyota Rush is proven to be so reliable and fairly environmentally friendly. Considering its rear-wheel-drive format and 4-speed automatic transmission, expect the Toyota Rush to consume 8- to 9-litre/100 km in the city and 7-litre/100 km on highways, depending on your driving style.

Suspension and steering

Another issue wanting in the Toyota Rush is on road damping.

For some reason, the utility vehicle feels fine with load at the rear, even with two or three at the second row and items occupying the real estate behind in the cargo area. But take out the rear-bound occupants and cargo (read: just have two passengers in front), and the ride suddenly feels like the Banco Filipino tagline in the vernacular - “Subok na matibay, subok na matagtag” (Proven sturdy, proven bouncy”). That particular shock absorption phenomenon is enough to disturb someone sleeping shotgun in the Rush, and quite odd given that the rear suspension is a four-link, shock-and-strut setup.

The Toyota Rush’s steering is surprisingly light for a utility vehicle. Combine that with a rather wide and towering view of what’s ahead, and one can easily shoehorn the vehicle into cramped mall slots and parallel parking situations. However, feedback may be inconsistent for some, particularly during emergency lane changes and on mountain roads. Sometimes, it can be hard to discern where the front wheels are pointed in those rapid-moving situations.

With its new design, which is more streamlined and no longer too boxy, Toyota seems to want to widen the market for its SUV users. No longer dominated by men, Toyota also wants to attract women who want an SUV that is dashing but not too big. The Toyota Rush may have some forward motion and ride damping issues. However, it presents itself as a less expensive seven-seater option than a midsize SUV. Plus, the fact that the Rush has Toyota badging may arguably be more than enough to sway hearts and wallets towards this three-row SUV.