Peter Lyon
January 7, 2024
Since 2018, the Toyota Rush has been a part of Malaysia’s car scene. But over recent months, most punters appear to have foregone the 7-seater SUV over newer models. Frequently eclipsed by its Perodua equivalent, Toyota has just decided that discretion is the better part of valour and withdrawn the Rush from UMW Toyota’s official website—making it no longer available in Malaysia.
In its most recent incarnation, the Rush was a ladder-frame, rear-wheel drive SUV that resembled a scaled-down version of the Toyota Innova. Up until the timely decision, the Perodua Rawang facility served as the assembly location for both the Aruz and the Rush.
Up until the Rush’s phasing out, the 1.5 G and 1.5 S versions of the SUV were offered in two variations with each model powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 naturally aspirated engine producing 105hp and 136 Nm torque through the rear wheels.
The Rush had certain “off-road” advantages despite being a 2WD SUV, such as a 600 mm water wading depth and a 220 mm ground clearance; they were minimal, but ideal for rural areas and unpaved roads. You simply couldn’t drive as recklessly as you could in a legitimate off-road vehicle.
Both of the Rush’s variants were priced between RM93,000 to RM97,000, making it an excellent option for a low-cost family car with seven seats. Of course, the Perodua Aruz cost less, but the Rush had more features including blind spot monitoring, automatic air conditioning, and a four-camera panoramic “all-around” view monitor. Prior to taking on this configuration, the Rush was a smaller, five-seater SUV that was also sold under the Perodua name, the Nautica.
OUR THOUGHTS
As two models that have continued to outperform the Rush, the Perodua Aruz and Alza are two sub-RM100k seven-seater choices available in Malaysia that were a big part of the demise of the Rush in Malaysia. Make no mistake, the Rush was a well-made SUV. It’s just that the Perodua models offered more for less, and that led to the decision to oust the Rush.
