2018 Toyota Rush Looks Like A Baby Fortuner

Toyota has a new SUV! Okay, not in India, but it might just click here too. It's something that's long been rumoured to set foot err… wheels in our market. With this iteration, it looks like it's got the right amount of ammo to take over a dying segment.

So, here's the Rush. It's all new, and it looks sorta funny. That's because Toyota has tried fitting in three rows of seating in a relatively compact frame. The Rush measures 4435mm in length, 1695mm in width and 1705mm in height. Compared to Honda's BR-V it's 21mm shorter and 40mm narrower. However, it is taller by 39mm, and the 2685mm wheelbase of the Toyota is larger by 23mm as well.

In terms of design, there's a lot going on, especially in the TRD Sportivo spec. The face is narrow, with a large grille flanked by LED daytime running lamps. The high-set bonnet, flared wheel arches and the generous use of matte black cladding gives it a rugged look. From the side and the rear it's hard to not compare it to the BR-V or the Mobilio. The profiles look, ahem, inspired, but we have to say it's a frill-free design. The top-spec variant gets features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, electric ORVMs with turn indicators, and LED tail lamps.

The no-fuss design continues on the inside with a tried-and-tested black and beige layout. The stitched portion on the lower half of the dash and the door pads add a bit of premiumness to the cabin. The upright dash houses a 7-inch touchscreen (without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay), the automatic climate control interface and a 12V power outlet. In fact, Toyota has gone a step further and added a power outlet for each row -  thoughtful. Other features include a tilt-adjustable steering, keyless entry, start-stop button and an 8-speaker audio system. 

On the safety front, the Rush gets six airbags, anti-lock brakes with EBD, vehicle stability control and hill start assist as standard. It's available with a single 104PS/136Nm 1.5-litre motor, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

Let's answer the million-dollar question: Is it coming to India? Well, nothing's concrete at the moment. Toyota could have the Rush on display at the upcoming 2018 Auto Expo and gauge response. A solid reason for getting it to India lies in the fact that the segment is up for grabs. The Mobilio has already bowed out, the BR-V is faltering and it's only the Ertiga that's laughing its way to the bank.

Toyota's brand reputation of reliability, paired with frugal engines from the Etios family, should make the Rush a worthy contender. Plus, it'll also help the Jap automaker fill a void in its portfolio since it has no products in the Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh bracket. To top things off, the fleet market would readily lap it up for its seven seats alone.

Enough reasons? We think so!