(Images from Toyota PH)

The Toyota Rush 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. Its engine is paired with either a manual transmission or an automatic. This engine is quite proportionate to its size, and this is an important factor to consider when talking about power to weight ratio. Think about a much smaller vehicle, the Wigo, and with its size, it comes with a small engine; that engine is enough to pull it and bring it to places you'd never thought it would be, like (yes, tito) Baguio City. The Rush has a very proportionate engine to its size, but when you put more cargo and people in, say at full capacity of seven persons and some stuff on a family excursion, then go to Baguio, then you'd start to feel its engine struggle, and that has an effect on fuel efficiency.

In the city, the Rush is clocking in about 7 kilometers per liter, and about 14 kilometers per liter on the highway. On average, about 10 kilometers per liter in mixed condition. This is the amount of fuel efficiency when the Rush is not packed to the brim but expect these figures to go sideways as you factor in the capacity of the Rush, the terrain of where you'll go, and the incidental traffic condition.

All in all, the Rush is OK. OK as in, it is good enough. Is it economical? Well, there are more economical cars in its segment out there like the Xpander, which clocks in 9 kilometers per liter in the city, 16 kilometers per liter on the highway and out 12 to 13 kilometers per liter on mixed conditions. Still, the Rush is a good choice, if you really like it. Comparing the Rush to an older SUV which you can buy as a second- (third-, fourth-, fifth-, et cetera) hand like a Ford Escape that's more than 15 years old, the Rush is still economical, and very reliable.

So, take a pick. Just keep in mind that fuel efficiency is not the only factor to consider when buying a vehicle. It is just one thing to look into, and you have to juxtapose it to some of the better qualities of the Rush like the ride height, the reliability, and price point.