(Images from Toyota PH)

When choosing a car, one consideration is the space it has for people and for stuff you have. Some people buy the car for the space and for the dimensions. This is where practicality comes in. Perhaps for others, buying a large car is more cost effective than buying two, especially that gas prices are always on the rise.

This is where cars like the Toyota Rush can come in. The Rush is a seven-seater SUV, with a ground clearance of 220mm. It has a 4 Cylinder, In-line, 16 Valve DOHC, Chain Drive with Dual VVT-I engine, which has a power output of 102 horsepower and 134 Newton meters of torque, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, and power coming from the rear.

To be honest, when you think of practicality, the Toyota Rush can be further down the list as newer names from other brands like the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Honda BR-V may come to mind. Or one may think of the Toyota Veloz, the latest iteration of the top-of-the-line Avanza, worthy enough to be a standalone car line. But there are things that the Rush may still have that give an edge over its competitors. The first one and more obvious is the ride height. With the taller ride height, the Rush is a full-fledged SUV and quite different from the rest mentioned which are MPVs.

The second one is the cargo bay. It is slightly larger than the BR-Vs cargo load of 470 liters with the third row open, and when it is folded, about 521 liters. The Rush is about 514 liters when the third row in place and 609 liters when the row is folded. This shows the rush can be used by families all over for trips or even for transporting a lot of cargo from one place to another.

Of course, the Xpander and the Veloz trumps the Rush but combine both cargo capacity with ride height, then the Rush is the vehicle for you. Having a taller ride, its handling and bigger wheels give the Rush the versatility to go anywhere which the Veloz, Avanza, Xpander or BR-V might not go to. With some parts of the country having bad road condition, or perhaps no road at all, then the Rush can be a savior.

At the end of the day, one will buy the car that suits one’s taste and needs. If you need a car that has the capability to go anywhere, with a capacity to transport up to seven people and a lot of cargo, then the Rush might be the one you need.