Toyota Rush - Hits and misses

The crossover utility vehicles (CUV) and compact SUVs segment are one of the fastest growing segments across the globe. In UAE, the segment has seen positive growth since 2013 and this segment is expected to capture 25% of the total SUV market. The consumers are turning towards vehicles that offer benefits of SUV and are priced similar to passenger cars. The Toyota Rush is perfect with its space, performance, fuel economy, and the Toyota brand assurance. Let us look at some of the hits and misses of the Toyota Rush in UAE market.

Toyota Rush Hits

Exterior Design

The Rush looks something in between the Fortuner and Innova, but it shares the drivetrain with Avanza. The Rush gets a bold design with crisp contours and 17-inch alloy wheels for intimidating stance. There is Chrome finish on the grille and the headlamps are angular as well as wide. This makes Rush look distinctly different than the passenger car it is based on. The front design gives the car a premium look. Rush is available in five exteriors colours which are Black Metallic, White, Silver Mica Metallic, Bronze Mica Metallic, and Dark Red Mica Metallic. Overall, the exterior design of the Toyota Rush is a hit.

Interior Space

 

The Rush is well designed to ensure roomy interiors. The cabin is spacious enough to accommodate seven adults and a decent amount of cargo. The 2nd and 3rd-row seat come with double folding feature providing easy access for all passenger. There are rear ac vents and individual charging sockets for passengers on the rear seat. The space and interior design of the Rush is definitely a hit.

Performance

Rush has a 220mm ground clearance, 26-degree departure angle, and 31-degree approach angle. The Rush is undoubtedly capable of navigating any terrain without much difficulty. The increased height, rear stabilisers, and ample suspension stroke result in an enhanced ride comfort even on the long drives. The performance of the Toyota Rush is a hit.

Safety

In terms of safety, Toyota Rush is second to none after receiving a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. It gets dual SRS airbags for the front passenger and curtain airbags for complete safety. The car also gets features such as ABS, ISOFIX mounts, electronic brake distribution (EBD), tyre pressure monitoring system, vehicle stability control, reverse parking sensors, and hill start assist control. The vehicle stability control keeps swerves stable even in the emergency braking conditions. The only thing lacking is the rear view camera, but that can be retrofitted. The safety features of Rush are without doubt a hit.

Toyota Rush Misses

Interior Built

The interior design of Rush is entirely in-line with the exteriors and gives a premium feel. The three-spoke circular steering from the lower priced model is retained. There is a central console with piano black inserts is centrally mounted and looks decent. You get smooth fabric seats rather than faux leather. This does make it look cheap at certain places, but we aren’t complaining as it is value for money. However, the use of hard plastic interior makes it appear cheap and is certainly a miss.

Engine

The Toyota Rush is powered by a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder petrol engine capable of delivering 103 hp and 135 Nm of torque. It is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the rear wheel. Rush is definitely not the fastest in the segment with 13 seconds to go from zero to 100 kmph. The maximum it can hit is 175 kmph. The engine has been tweaked for better low-end grunt, but the engine has been tested with the Avanza. The engine could have been more powerful, so this is a certain miss.

Price

The Toyota Rush is available for a price of AED 68,500 which is fairly higher than the competition considering the features offered by the rivals. There is only one variant offered which is a huge downside for anyone who desires more features. The price of Rush is a certain miss. It is worth noting that the sole variant comes with a lot of features such as smart keyless entry and start, power steering, central locking, rear spoiler, and more.

Toyota Rush is packed with features and comes with an elegant exterior as well as interior design. It delivers robust performance and the ride is quite comfortable. It offers best in class safety features which are rated 5-star by the ASEAN NCAP. While the features may be lesser than the rivals, Rush offers a lot more overcome the minor downsides.