2018 Toyota Rush1.5G-AT review

The Toyota Rush is without a doubt one of the most popular models on the Philippine market today. In fact, every time I look at Autodeal.com.ph's live traffic, there are at least five people on the Internet who check its specs and features through our car guide. The best part is that its popularity among Filipino car buyers is understandable. It is a seven-seater, attractively priced and marketed as an entry-level SUV. All three factors point to one thing: Rush is the perfect vehicle for the Filipino family. Or is it? Toyota Motor Philippines gave us a top-of-the-line seven-seat G gearbox to experience what it has to offer car buyers. It's been a long wait, yes, but we really think it's been worth it. Rush is bigger. It measures 245 mm long, 35 mm wide and 10 mm high than the Avanza, and shares a platform with it. It also has a wheelbase of 30mm. In design, the Rush looks like a small SUV, with its upright hood, high ground clearance, undercladded, decorative bumpers and roof rails. All of which tells you that it's a utility vehicle that can go where most small cars can't. Beyond the SUV's appeal, more people like the look of the Rush. It is equipped with LED headlights to keep the lights flowing at night, the LED looks good, and the chiseled hood and side panels give off its features. The color of the Bordeaux mica paint in the test unit also impressed me. If you're looking for daytime running lights, well, Rush doesn't have any, but it does have guide lights to emphasize the headlights and double as your parking lights. A close inspection of the car will show good construction quality and even clearance. I particularly like its two-color 17-inch alloy wheels. They are uniquely designed to match the movement atmosphere of the vehicle. Inside, this is where it gets interesting. As might be expected with its affordable price tag, Rush doesn't offer many of the luxuries found in RAV4 or Fortuner. After all, it's marketed as an entry-level SUV, which means the materials used are very basic to make up for its price tag. There's a lot of plastic on the dashboard, and the white polyurethane trim with faux stitches is a bit polarized and not the best touch. But Rush makes up for it with its ergonomics and ease of use. Buttons and knobs are within arm's reach, and it's easy to get familiar with the car's controls - a huge advantage when buying a Japanese car. Automatic climate control also works well, and the meter stacks are clear, as well as the multi-information display between the dials, providing enough driving information, such as fuel economy and fuel economy coaches. The seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the same as the Yaris. It has a color display that is soft for the eyes and easy to use. It pairs with Apple devices via USB or Bluetooth, but Android phones require Bluetooth or AUX input to play music. Hands-free calling is simple, the sound from the eight speakers is clear and uncluttered, and one of the things I like most about the Bluetooth connection is that it disables the keyboard when the smartphone is connected. Rush has a lot of cups and bottles. Like many of the 13 items found in the last row, they prove to be handy when you decide to buy a drink on a long road trip. The exterior is soundproof and the soft fabric seats are comfortable for all passengers except the driver. With the Rush with its non-retractable steering wheel, it's hard to find the ideal driving position. I had to decide to place the driver's seat near the dashboard, rather than my usual preferred position. Good stuff. Lots of interior space in the front and second rows. The last row can be made for people 5'6 "and under, but other than that, they may want to stay in the second row. The only consolation of sitting in the third row is that the seats and exits are trip-prone. Moreover, even in hot weather, the air conditioning accommodates the rear occupants well. If you want to use the rear cargo, you can fold and trip over the third row to maximize space. While Rush has above-average space inside, its suspension setup leaves a lot to be desired. It's not as stiff as Avanza, but it's also not a walk in the park. Remember, the Rush rides on a body frame platform, so it has McPherson-style struts in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear, just like a midsize SUV. Like midsize SUVs, it has a bit of bounce, which is to be expected. Riding improves when the Rush is fully loaded, but this can cause problems with the 1.5-L petrol engine. Under the hood of the Rush is the 102-horsepower 1.5L 2NR-VE dual VVT-I gasoline powerplant, also found in the Avanza. It also has the same four-speed automatic transmission. Now, the Avanza is not a quick-start car, so putting its engine in a bigger and heavier Rush isn't rocket science, it's lowering its power-to-weight ratio. There is no easy way to say this but Rush really feels underpowered while driving, even if there are only two people inside, especially when the car is full. It's not in a hurry to move forward from rest, and you need a pin to push it to top speed when overtaking. The four-speed transmission is also a bit hesitant about rear-wheel power, and you need to hit around 3,500 to 4,000 RPM before you can feel the pull, which isn't good news for fuel consumption. In fact, driving city traffic at an average speed of 15 km/h, the Rush clocked in at 6.9 km/l, compared to 10.8 km/l at a fast 60 km/h. Road operations proved to be its biggest nemeses, with an average speed of 90 km/h reaching 14.1 km/l. Eco mode can improve those numbers slightly, however, it means you have to leave early so you're not late.https://www.autofun.co.id/mobil/toyota/rush As the engine performance is not the Rush's best suit, but so is its handling. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to drive the city with a light steering feel. There is also plenty of forward driving visibility, which is highly controllable, and a rear-view camera available when backed up. The problem is that light steering feels numb in speed, like a naughty naughty child. I often find myself correcting the steering wheel when driving on the road or when dealing with long curves. The brakes are safe enough to stop but can be improved. All things considered, Rush gets good reviews when it comes to what Filipino car buyers are looking for in their family vehicles. Space, ease of use, overall comfort and seat flexibility. But the truth is, Rush can't give you the rush you usually like in a car. In terms of power, don't expect too much from this car and you'll be fine. But then again, if security is your top priority, Rush will shine with its Asean NCAP security rating, even ahead of its closest competitors.