(Images from Toyota PH)

The Toyota Rush was released in 2018 as an answer to the Mitsubishi Xpander. At the time, I thought the Xpander, which was a replacement to the Adventure, was an answer to the Innova and later on the Avanza, as Mitsubishi has been missing in the MPV segment. Of course, right now, there is the Honda B-RV, the Isuzu Ertiga. When the Rush came out, it looked like a cross between the Fortuner and an Innova. Or if two Fortuners have a baby, then it is the Rush. (But have you seen the Raize? It more looks like the baby Fortuner now, and the Rush is the elder sibling.)

Going back, the Rush is actually a clever vehicle. It is a 7-seater like the Fortuner, but it is not as expensive as one, not as bulky, handling must be better, but also as practical with its space and capacity. Wit its price, the Rush is also more accessible to the greater public.

The Rush only has three variants, and the base model is with manual transmission. The 1.5 E MT starts with PhP 1,012,000. With only about forty thousand pesos more, one can already ditch the manual and switch to the automatic. The 1.5 E A/T is priced at PhP 1,052,000. To get to the top variant, one does not need to bring in more cash, as the 1.5 G A/T is only priced at PhP 1,176,000 with all its bells and whistles.  The main difference between the Rush G and the E is the number of seating capacity, but I am quite sure aftermarket seats to convert your E is already available, especially with Toyota’s popularity in the Philippines due to its reliability and price point. Still, if one has the budget for the E, especially for the AT, one could already think of buying the G with the huge upgrade it has from the E without the hassle of seeking aftermarket parts and breaking warranty clauses, unless you intentionally buys the E to modify the heck out of it. And, great news, if you are buying the 2020 and beyond model, all have 7-seats installed already.

To me, the main threat to the Rush is not itself but a shiny new object called the Veloz. With a price so close to the Rush, one might opt to but the top-of-the-line iteration of the Avanza.

Take your pick!