2022 Toyota Rush

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Review

Of the many vehicles in Toyota’s lineup, it is the Toyota Rush that is a little bit of an oddball. Part MPV and part SUV, the Rush represents two different consumer demographics and it does so at a very attractive price point. Perhaps the bigger question is whether sales of the long-popular Avanza have been affected by it, but the reality is that it stands on its own two feet.

That being said, it wasn’t always the case for the Toyota Rush. Much like its twin sister, the Perodua Aruz, the Rush has had a bit of a convoluted history. Toyota first introduced the second generation Rush in Malaysia, as a singular short-wheelbase variant – and now we have this third generation model that emphasizes more practicality.

Toyota offers just two variants of the Toyota Rush, both with the same powertrain and drivetrain layout. The tricky thing with the Toyota Rush is that ultimately it is hard to differentiate from the locally manufactured alternative. That being said, there is still enough of an aesthetic difference to make it a potential preference, and of course the availability of Toyota’s wide dealership network.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Specifications

You can only have one engine with your Toyota Rush, and that’s the 2NR-FE 1.5-litre petrol powered engine pushing 105 PS and 136 Nm of torque. It may not be the most fire-breathing powertrain on the market, but it certainly gets the job done – similar engines have powered vehicles like the Toyota Avanza for generations.

A four-speed conventional automatic transmission sends that power and torque exclusively to the rear wheels, where a live axle splits power between the left and right wheels. It’s a very simple, rudimentary system – but less complexity leads to better reliability and robustness when taking the Rush on the roads less travelled.

When you consider that East Malaysia is still a pretty significant market for Toyota, it’s understandable that the Rush has the potential to perform strongly. The Avanza may be a little more compact and suited to the urban environment, but the Rush could probably take a bigger beating if you’re travelling along a muddy, gravelly path.

The Rush sits in a box that is 4,435 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, and 1,705 mm tall. The wheelbase is a good 2,685 mm, with the front tread a little narrower than the rear at 1,445 mm and 1,460 mm respectively. Ground clearance? 220 mm, with a wading depth of up to 600 mm of water. The fuel tank is a little small at just 45 litres, but the engine can be efficient when you need it to be. Top that off with a 5.2 metre turning radius (the benefit of rear-wheel driven cars) and you have a solid proposition.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Exterior

Function leads form with the Toyota Rush, and at this price point there really isn’t going to be as much consideration when it comes to the overall design of the car. The important thing is that it isn’t a pure two-box design – there are a couple of curves and design elements that define it as a Toyota product among their current line-up.

17-inch alloy wheels are standard for both variants of the Rush, as are LED reflector headlamps, power-adjustable and retractable wing mirrors with LED turn signals, LED rear lamps, a shark fin antenna, and a dark chrome radiator grille. The aero kit is also standard across the range, meaning both variants look fairly identical from the outside.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Interior

The inside of the Toyota Rush is not the most extravagant, but it is functional and capable of seating seven. Naturally at this overall size, the third row of seats doesn’t exactly offer huge amounts of legroom, but it still exists and works in a pinch if you need to carry both your children and your parents (or if you have a lot of children).

In terms of the surfaces, the choices are between fabric and leather for the seat materials, urethane and leather for the steering wheel – and that is really the only difference between the two variants. The rest of the items are standard, like the 6.8-inch touch-screen head unit, with DVD-AVX functionality and USB mirroring.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Safety Features

As it currently stands, the Toyota Rush is the cheapest Toyota product available that comes with the full suite of safety systems – at least if you opt for the higher-spec variant. The pre-collision system with both warning and braking, as well as front departure alert and pedal misoperation control are included as part of the Toyota Safety Sense system.

The essentials are also present and accounted for: ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control with traction control, hill-start assist control, blind spot monitor, and rear cross traffic alert are all items that will help to make your journey that little bit safer. Front driver and passenger airbags work in tandem with side and curtain airbags to protect you and your loved ones in the event of an accident as well.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Strengths and Weaknesses

When it comes to a Toyota product, reliability and robustness have to be the strongest suits. Their vehicles are known to outlast generations, and they keep on ticking as long as you keep them well maintained and taken care of. While the interior and exterior of the Toyota Rush may seem more urban than off-road, it’s important to remember that it still carries a solid rear axle that could probably take a lot of punishment.

That being said, the powertrain is just that little bit too old and weak to be appropriate for a fully-loaded family hauler in this day and age. It’s a difficult problem to get around while keeping prices down, but just remember that other markets get vehicles like the Avanza with a 1.0-litre engine – so a 1.5-litre engine may be considered a bit of a luxury.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Price

Both variants of the Toyota Rush are over RM 80,000 – the 1.5G variant goes for RM 88,314, while the 1.5S variant pips it at RM 91,885. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be getting a high-riding seven seater vehicle.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Features

Both variants of the Toyota Rush get keyless entry and start, automatic front air-conditioning and rear air-conditioning, steering wheel switches, a panoramic view monitor (also known as a 360 degree camera) and a digital video recorder as standard. Six speakers are also standard, as are two accessore connectors and two USB charging ports.

Automatic headlamps and front fog lights are only available with the higher specification variant, though again there isn’t much else that’s different between the two. What it really comes down to is whether you want the smartphone connectivity and functionality, and whether you want the additional safety suite of systems that is only available with the higher spec model.

Toyota Rush 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

There is no manufacturer quoted fuel consumption for the Toyota Rush, but you could probably guess that it would run around 10 to 13 kilometres per litre or better depending on your driving conditions. This is in thanks to the relatively small engine, although the heavier kerb weight and additional drivetrain losses and resistances make it a tall order to be a true fuel sipper.