Autoworld Blog

For the final two months of 2008, UMW Toyota is giving away massive promotions for its entire lineup of Toyota vehicles. Dubbed the Festive Moments Celebration, the promotions were given an extra push as Toyota showrooms nationwide organised festive open houses on 15-16 Nov.

Customers are tempted by goodies such as vouchers to fully cover for three years of maintenance, low downpayment rebates, low interest rates, bodykits, and/or a Sony Video MP3 player. Different models are offered with different combinations of the above, though the free maintenance vouchers and low interest rates seem the most useful. According to the promotional materials, all offers are valid from 1 Nov till 31 Dec, with the MP3 players attached with the usual ‘while stocks last’ label.

I was at the Subang Jaya branch on Saturday afternoon, where despite the gloomy skies above, my companion and I test drove the manual versions of the Vios 1.5J and the Avanza 1.3E.

Festive Moment at the Subang Jaya branch.

Bad weather failed to stop us getting a test drive.

I have actually tested the Vios a couple of months back. While accompanying another friend car shopping, we tested back-to-back, both variants of the Honda City and compared them against the Vios 1.5S, which retails at over RM88.3k against the City’s RM79.8k (i-DSI) and RM85.8k (VTEC).

The 1,497cc 1NZ-FE VVT-i, paired with a four-speed auto, does not produce terribly exciting figures on paper, but gave the Vios adequate shove on the straights. On the bends, the car handled surprisingly well, despite not having an independently sprung rear axle.

Going inside, for the interior, the Vios lost a quite a bit of ground against the City. Despite being the newer model against the outgoing City, the Vios’ cabin was neither as well designed nor as well built. The cabin ambience felt a class lower, and the materials felt a grade lower. All in all, at close to RM89k, I think it is a bit pricy.

Toyota Vios 1.5S - overpriced at RM89k.

However, going down the hierarchy, Toyota has the base-spec 1.5J model for your consideration - yours for RM73.5k, if you’re willing to forego the skirtings, airbags, alloy rims, rear discs, electric door mirrors and even the intermittent function for the wipers (a shocking omission, this one). You also have the option of a manual transmission, which would slash RM3.7k off the pricetag.

Indeed, at RM69.8k, the manual 1.5J is well within striking distance of even the Proton Waja CPS, and making it now a far more attractive preposition. The only omissions of consequence are the rear discs and airbags, which are still fine to most people, though the lack of intermittent wipers (standard in the Perodua Kancil) is kind of like a shocking-omission to me.

Paired with a five-speed manual, the 1.5-litre engine gives the Vios more than adequate shove, with the engine revving smoothly up to the 4000-5000rpm range. However, I was a little dissatisfied with the quality of the gearchange, which despite being sufficiently precise, had a rather long throw, while the clutch pedal was light to the point of being tricky to balance. 

I rarely recommend the entry level variant of any model as my preferred choice, but in the case of the Vios, the maths say it all, the 1.5J, at over RM16k cheaper than the 1.5S, represents the superior value.

The 1.5J - at RM69k the Vios makes more sense

Dash is plain looking, but no complaints. Five-speed gear change sufficiently precise, but clutch a little tricky to balance.

The other model catching our attention was the facelifted Toyota Avanza. To be frank, while I’ve never quite fancied an Avanza, I do respect it for being a practical and sensible family carrier. It doesn’t tickle one’s fancy, but it gets the job done - ferrying your family and things around - with minimum fuss, and I respect that.

However, the folks at UMW’s product planning division had bigger ideas and decided to tack on a set of skirts,  fake taillights on top of the D-pillar, and carbon fibre inserts on the dash. I have no idea how they came to this decision, but my companion and I found these new additions more than a little amusing. Rather than spending RM77.1k on the 1.5S, the smart money would either be on the RM69.9k 1.5E or the RM74.3k 1.5G, which both do away with these add-ons.

 
The facelifted Toyota Avanza 1.5S

What’s with the fake taillights?

Carbon fibre inserts for an Avanza?

Credit where credit is due, this water bottle hole is properly useful.

Another option to consider is the base model 1.3E, which goes for RM62k (M/T) and RM65.5k (A/T). I took a manual version out for a spin. That car came with 14-inch steel wheels but had the 1.5S bodykit which I suggest that you not take. You’d be surprised to read this: but it was a properly good drive.

The gear change was excellent - slick and precise in a way that a car like the Avanza has no right to be. When revved hard, the engine picks up pace quick enough for most people. You can’t take corners too spiritedly, but do you buy an Avanza for that? I suppose not. However, driven smoothly and sedately, the Avanza gives you brisk progress around town, and the superb turning radius makes it an excellent urban runabout.

I must admit that the Avanza gave me a properly pleasant surprise. On the road, I actually liked it better than the sedan-bodied Vios, an outcome which I totally did not expect. I would be quite happy to recommend the Avanza to anyone looking for a small practical people carrier, with the tested 1.3E manual my personal pick of the bunch. For those who want an auto, my fingers would point to the RM69.9k 1.5E, which is technically identical to the more expensive G and S variants.

Entry level 1.3E’s plain looks better than ’sporty’ 1.5S

Though 1.3E test car is equipped with 1.5S bodykit.

Interior for 1.3E does away with carbon fibre inserts. Five-speed manual offers surprisingly good gear change quality.

It may be basic but the Rush is a pretty good looking car and the Toyota badge means it will be painless to run

In the grand scheme of things, most people are not looking for outright performance or ultimate luxury when buying a car. The average buyer has to juggle competing factors such as good looks, reliability, comfort, price and cost of maintenance, not necessarily in that order.

The Toyota Rush is a compact Sports Utility Vehicle that has been engineered to suit the pockets of as many people as possible. That means Toyota had to make adjustments to the specifications and trim level to bring prices down.

I am not suggesting that the Rush cheap, at nearly RM86,000 for the entry level machine, this is not something that everyone would say is affordable but it is certainly not exorbitantly priced.

While it may look like an all-new vehicle, Toyota is using their huge parts bin to come up with this vehicle. The platform is modified from the Avanza, the engine and drivetrain are shared with the Avanza while the some parts of the interior can also be found in the Avanza.

Since they have to worry less about engineering so many things. Toyota designers had more time to come up with something pleasing to look at and the Rush is certainly that. It sits in that zone between plain and pretty.

It’s like that next door girl who has almost the right curves, she is not model material but sometimes you do think about her.

Just like that girl next door, the Rush comes from a good family and you know that she has had a proper upbringing and not likely to embarrass you in front of your friends. The Rush may not be your first choice but she certainly won’t be your last option.

There are nice details abound. For example in the top Spec 1.5S Automatic model that you see here comes with projector lamps and the whole front lamp cluster is packaged in a modern looking and sleek chrome surround that is bubbled in clear plastic.

They frame a neat grille and a substantial bumper that has been nicely scalloped and cut to make room for a large air vent and a pair of driving lamps. Completing the SUV look is a pseudo sump-guard that is part of the plastic bumper moulding.

The Rush comes with grey plastic garnish around the wheel arches and it looks good but the front right one on ours came off after a bit of fast driving. I think they did not stick it on properly. No one else reported the same problem.

The rear lamp cluster takes some cue from the more expensive RAV-4 and this adds sophistication to the stern view of the Rush.

When it comes down to personal taste, I have issues with spare tyres hanging in full view of the public. I am not worried about someone stealing it, its just I think spare tyres should be tucked away from sight. I keep mine out of public view, my car should too.

The Rush also has a good heart in the 1.5 liter VVT-i 3SZ-VE which is good for 109 horsepower if you work it all the way to 6,000rpm and 141 Newton metres of torque at 4,400rpm.

While these are the same figures found in the Avanza, it is actually good enough to keep the Rush at highway speed all day long and the selection of ratio is just right to make it feel reasonably energetic in the city.

Thanks to a bit more noise insulation than the Avanza, engine noise is also well isolated, which will encourage drivers to work the motor a bit harder and make the Rush a bit more fun than the Avanza.

In terms of road handling, the Rush’s fatter tyres give it more grip and this means that you can attack corners more aggressively in it than the Avanza. However the tall body and softer springing makes it roll a bit more in bends so you should no hurl it into curves with abandon.

The taller tyres and suspension are also more forgiving on bumps and potholes, this makes the Rush less bouncy than the Avanza. In fact it is considerably less bouncy than the Avanza. Remember I said LESS bouncy, I did not say NOT bouncy.

Most buyers will be reasonably contented with the Rush’s performance and would focus more attention in the quality and presentation of the cabin. Here there are some hits and a few misses.

Lets start with the driving position. I am about six-foot tall and I like to sit upright when driving, just like my driving instructor taught me. When I sit upright, the top of the steering wheel is positioned just so that it blocks the very top of the instrument cluster.

It is not a big issue but it is annoying.

The steering wheel is set quite upright so you cannot feel like you are driving a car and that is a few points knocked off the otherwise very presentable interior.

The interestingly styled instrument binnacle houses a full-dial speedometer that is flanked by a half-dial rev counter to the left and temperature gauge cum gear indicator in another crescent on the right.

At the bottom of the speedo is a small rectangular Liquid Crystal Display showing fuel level as well as trip and odometer. Everything is presented in a satisfyingly clear and simple fashion.

The centre console is stacked with the radio on top where it is easy to reach, followed by a pair of simple rectangular air-conditioning vent and the hazard light switch while below that is the air-cond blower and vent control dials.

Nothing fancy but it works well enough. The metallic plastic finish does not have the most luxurious lustre but it does its job lifting the otherwise plain dashboard.

If there is anything that front passengers would complain about, it is the lack of cupholders. What Toyota did was create a round receptacle in front of the moulded door pocket for mineral water bottles or drinks can but it is not ideal.

You have to bend down quite far to reach it, making it completely useless for the driver.

I know we are not suppose to be drinking while driving but it is nice to have somewhere to put your liquid sustenance, especially if you are on a long lonely drive.

The second row of seats is a comfortable place to be with sufficient knee room if you don’t have particularly lanky front passengers. The seat design is simple and flat which means that they are not particularly supportive but not uncomfortable either and like in the Avanza, rear passengers get their own air conditioning vent.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a second air conditioning control in a car like this, especially given the hot weather we get in Malaysia. I have driven in more expensive MPV’s without rear air-cond control and had to put up with either frozen knuckles or children whining from the heat.

Second row passengers are also better off than front row people, cup holder wise….

When it comes to the third row of seats, the Rush is like most other compact seven-seaters in that they are only suitable for smaller children, especially on long drives.

Adults can endure it for about half an hour before cramps start setting in. Third row passengers are also better off than front row passengers, cup dolder wise, they are set in the moulded side arm rest, within easy reach. perfect.

I know I am taking too many pot shots at this cupholder issue but this is a real life concern. I lived with the car for a weekend and it is the only thing that really annoyed me so I think it will also be the thing that will annoy most owners in the long run.

Next we look at the load carrying ability of the Rush. With the third row up, there is barely room for a few small soft bags, again a typical trait of seven-seaters so you cannot take too much offense here.

With the third row out of the way, there is ample room for a few suitcases or even a small item of furniture.The side opening doors swing out almost 90 degrees to provide unobstructed access to the load area.

Some may prefer a top-hinged arrangement but the side-hinge solution was necessary because they needed space for the spare wheels. It is too big to fit underneath the car.

Looking back, I think the girl next door analogy is perfect for the Rush. It is undoubtedly a vehicle full of compromises but then again so is our life and at least in the case of the Rush we know that the shortcomings are really minor and you can easily live with it. Just like that girl next door, the more you look at her, the more you feel like falling in love.

Summary of specifications

Toyota Rush 1.5S Auto

Technical

Engine: 1.5 liter VVT-i 3SZ-VE

Max Power: 109hp @ 6,000rpm

Max Torque: 141Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.

Four Speed Auto (Five Speed Manual)

16-inch alloy wheels

215/65R16 tyres.

Macpherson strut front suspension.

Four-link rear suspension with live axle.

Creature comforts

Single disc MP3-capable head unit

6 speakers (4 speakers plus 2 tweeters).

Power retractable door mirrors,

Leather wrapped gear lever and steering

Dual SRS front airbags

Anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution.

Price List

Toyota Rush 1.5G M/T - RM85,888
Toyota Rush 1.5G A/T - RM88,888
Toyota Rush 1.5S A/T - RM94,888