Quick Comparo - Rush vs Veloz: A Toyota mini-SUV tussle

The Rush and Veloz are touted as seven-seat subcompact SUVs by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). Although they are similar, the Rush and Veloz play the SUV projection in distinct ways.

It seems that interested takers of the Rush and Veloz want to know the difference between the two because when you look at our home page, these SUVs are compared so often that they're now placed in the ‘Popular Cars comparison’ tab. 

Well, it shouldn’t be surprising that people would want to know more about Toyota’s seven-seat SUVs because the carmaker offers a selection of people carriers. The Veloz — which, by the way, was once the moniker for the top variant of the old Avanza MPV — is now a small SUV spin-off to the latest version of the MPV, and joins the Rush in that said selection. 

Toyota’s roster of crowd carriers includes the Coaster and Hiace. The well-heeled set is pampered inside the Alphard van and Land Cruiser SUV. Families have begun flocking to the Fortuner and Innova in the meanwhile. As for the Rush and Avanza, they offer the capacity for carrying passengers of their larger stablemates in more inexpensive and compact packages. 

So, in what other ways do the 2022 Toyota Rush and Veloz separate themselves from each other? To find out, you can either use the helpful tools of this website — or read this detailed guide for the two vehicles. 

Variants and price 

The 2022 Toyota Rush starts with the Rush 1.5 E MT and Rush 1.5 E AT variants, which retail for P1.012-million and P1.052-million, respectively. Serving as the top-of-the-line model in the Rush range is the Toyota Rush GR-S, and this retails for P1.176-million. 

Pricing for the 2022 Toyota Veloz starts at P1.185 million for the Veloz 1.5 G and P1.225 million for the Veloz 1.5 V CVT. 

Even in GR-S form, the Rush is P9,000 more affordable than the Veloz G. 

Key convenience and safety equipment 

All variants of the Rush are equipped with a seven-inch display audio system with Aux, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, as well as WebLink connectivity for Apple and Android phones. Reserved for the Toyota Rush GR-S are GR-branded styling kit that includes a front bumper spoiler, rear bumper spoiler, and side body molding.

The differences between the Veloz models are few. The Veloz G has equipped with an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.  For safety, the Veloz G gets a reversing camera. 

As for the 2022 Toyota Veloz 1.5 V, this is equipped with the same infotainment system as its counterpart but with a nine-inch display. Exclusive to this variant is a 360-degree, panoramic view monitor for parking and Toyota Safety Sense. TSS includes a pre-collision system, automatic high beam, and lane departure alert.   

While the Rush centers on style — what with the addition of the GR-S styling kit — the Veloz carries a more advanced convenience and safety kit. 

Exterior 

Perhaps the Rush wants to be a Fortuner when it grows up. The Rush features an imposing grille up front, sleek body lines on the sides, and vertical tail lights that are similar in shape to the midsize SUVs. Black body cladding and 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels follow the function of the SUV-like 220mm ground clearance. 

As for the Veloz, it's virtually an Avanza with added SUV-inspired styling. The Veloz's front end sports a grille that's seemingly nicked from the RAV4, sides that sport the Philippine-market-exclusive black overfenders, and a rear end centered by an LED light bar. Around the Veloz's 17-inch alloy rollers is a 190mm ground clearance. 

Depending on who’s looking, the Toyota Rush appears to have a rugged take on the SUV format, while the shiny trimmings of the Toyota Veloz lend the model a classier appearance. 

Dimensions 

Since the Rush is positioned as a subcompact SUV, its exterior is more akin to that of sedans at 4,435mm long, 1,695mm wide, and 1,705mm tall. 

Not far from the Rush’s size is the Veloz, with similar dimensions at a total of 4,475mm, 1,775mm, and 1,700mm, respectively. 

The size advantage of the former means that it could be more sure-footed on the road than the latter. More crucially, a larger exterior size could translate to better cabin space inside. 

Interior Features 

When the 2022 Toyota Rush needs to prioritize its interior space for cargo over passengers, its second-row seats can split 60:40 via a one-touch tumble feature. But these seats could also slide forward to give third-row passengers — who are sitting on 50:50 tumbling seats — more legroom. 

Toyota boasted that the 2022 Toyota Avanza’s second- and third-row of seats can now fold flat, and the same flexibility makes its way to the 2022 Toyota Rush. Aside from having recline adjustment, the second-row seats can be folded to unfurl the biggest cabin highlight of the Veloz — the Long Sofa Mode rear seating configuration. 

In Long Sofa Mode, the second-row seatbacks fold back to meet the cushions of the third-row seats, creating a flat surface on which one can lay down or lounge. 

Surely, seven people won’t be short on space on either car, but with flat-folding, Long Sofa Mode rear seats, Veloz edges its stablemate when it comes to interior flexibility. 

Engine and transmission

Under their hoods, the Rush and Veloz use a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. For the Rush, the engine makes 102hp and 134Nm of torque, while the Veloz's mill makes 106hp and 138Nm. Depending on the variant, the Rush pairs its engine with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The Veloz is only available with a CVT.  

But the biggest difference between the two SUVs is their driven wheels. The Rush is rear-wheel drive, while the Veloz drives its front rollers. What supports their cabins and engines and transmissions are unique, too. The 2022 Toyota Rush is built upon a body-on-frame chassis, similar to the one used by pickup trucks and bigger SUVs. As for the 2022 Toyota Veloz, it’s supported by a monocoque chassis, which is used by most compact cars. 

We won’t bore you with details on the differences between body-on-frame and monocoque, but what we’ll say is that while the former construction is more rigid, the latter is mostly known for exhibiting a more comfortable ride. 

Safety kit 

In case the road gets slippery, Rush and Veloz are both ready with their vehicle stability and traction control systems. When tackling inclines, these SUVs' hill-start control prevents them from backing into other cars or objects.  

What’s more, the Toyota Rush and Toyota Veloz feature curtain shield airbags, seatbelt reminders, as well as reversing sensors. On top of these, the Veloz is outfitted with TSS as mentioned. 

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines, Kent Flores, Roy Robles, and Dylan Afuang