The pros and cons of Toyota Rush

toyota-rush-white

Dubbed the “baby Fortuner,” the Toyota Rush is one of the carmaker’s entries into the country’s sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. Since its arrival in 2018, it has gained quite the following with many Filipino car buyers including this model in their list when looking for either a brand-new or a used vehicle.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • What is the size of the Toyota Rush's infotainment system?

    The Toyota Rush has a seven-inch infotainment system that can be had with either six or eight speakers, depending on the variant.
  • What are the variants of the Toyota Rush?

    The variants of the Toyota Rush are the 1.5 E MT, 1.5 E AT, and the 1.5 GR-S AT.
  • What engine powers the Toyota Rush?

    The Toyota Rush is powered by a 1.5-liter engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.
  • On the fence about driving home a Toyota Rush? Check out this list of pros and cons to help you make a better buying decision.

    Pros

    Decent amenities

    One of the Toyota Rush’s strongest suits is the host of decent amenities that come with it. These include a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features. Depending on the variant, the Toyota Rush could come with either six or eight speakers.

    Rush-update-E-Grade-AT.JPG

    Accompanying the infotainment system is a segment-type instrument cluster with a mix of both analog gauges and digital panels. Also, the steering wheel comes with telephone and audio controls.

    Front passengers get automatic air conditioning while those sitting in the second row get manual air conditioning.

    The Toyota Rush also offers a single USB charging port, but if that’s not enough, higher grades offer three additional 12-volt (V) accessory outlets (one 12-V accessory outlet for lower variants).

    Well-lit SUV

    The Toyota Rush also offers an abundance of lights both inside and out. At the fore are LED headlamps, clearance lamps with LED line guide, as well as fog lamps, which are made standard across the board. In the cabin, the Toyota Rush offers a room lamp, a front personal lamp, a rear personal lamp, and a luggage room lamp. It also comes with an illuminated entry system which is nice.

    On that note, those opting to get a Toyota Rush need not spend more money on aftermarket products to improve their ride’s lighting setup.

    Charming looks

    As we’ve mentioned earlier, the Toyota Rush has earned the nickname “baby Fortuner.” That’s because it bears similar design cues to its larger sibling, well, at least before the second-generation Toyota Fortuner got a facelift.

    toyota rush performance

    The Toyota Rush has a good mix of straight, aggressive lines and sexy curves that made it as good-looking as its big brother. This, alongside a slew of sporty bodykits from the Gazoo-fied variant (front bumper, side body molding, rear bumper, and badge) make the Toyota Rush a desirable option for those who want a ride that gives them extra "pogi points."

    Cons

    Somewhat small

    Despite its handsomeness, the Toyota Rush is somewhat small. For comparison’s sake, the top-of-the-line Toyota Rush GR-S measures 4,466 millimeters (mm) long, 1,687mm wide, and 1,705mm tall. The Toyota Innova multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), on the other hand, measures 4,735mm long, 1,830mm wide, and 1,795 tall.

    Lackluster engine

    Under the hood of the Toyota Rush is a 1.5-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission. The setup altogether makes a respectable 102 horsepower (hp) with 134Nm of torque.

    rush engine

    While the engine of the Toyota Rush is not exactly better or worse than other SUV — heck the Toyota Raize, classified as an SUV, is equipped with either a smaller 1.2 naturally aspirated or a 1.0 turbocharged powerplant — some owners report that it has a rather weak accelerating power.

    Verdict

    Although the Toyota Rush might be smaller and underpowered than most SUVs, its good looks and suite of modern amenities make it a great choice for those looking for a decent daily driver.

    The Toyota Rush is currently offered in three variants: the 1.5 E MT, 1.5 E AT, and the 1.5 GR-S AT. They are priced at P1.012 million, P1.052 million, and P1.176 million respectively.

    We, at Carmudi Philippines, have a large library of second-hand Toyota Rush listings. You can check it out here.

    Photos from Toyota

    Also read: 

    Toyota Rush: Same price, different options

    7-seater showdown: Toyota Avanza vs. Toyota Rush

    Updated Toyota Rush now available at dealers

    Explore Toyota Rush

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