Toyota Rush top variant or RAV4 base variant: Which one to buy?

How many times has it happened that you walk into a showroom thinking you will go and put the down payment on the model you wanted and then thought otherwise. The indecisiveness could be due to the salesperson who wants to sell you a higher spec car. While he will not tell you this, it’s for his commission. Bigger, slower-selling vehicles attract higher commissions. The end result is you as a buyer ending in a conundrum. The aforementioned bigger vehicle will come in its base trim as you aren’t that keen on extending your budget by that much.

There are also times when you decide on a base model of a particular car and then find out that the model lower than it is desirable too. This particular model will have all the bells and whistles than the one you chose and is even priced lower. Conundrum time again. This is what we are about to decipher today. The Toyota RAV4 which is a premium SUV by the Japanese carmaker starts at Php 1,450,000. Toyota also makes the MPV-based Rush SUV. It is a seven seater and the top-spec Rush is priced at Php 1,070,000. A couple more pesos could get you the bigger and more desirable Rush. Which one to go for? Let’s find out.

In terms of looks, both the SUVs look modern. However, the ageing RAV4 is the one which is better to look at. If you liked the C-HR crossover, this one is its bigger brother. It measures 4,605 mm x 1,845 mm x 1,715 mm in length, width and height respectively. It has got a wheelbase of 2,660 mm. In contrast, the new Toyota Rush looks more rugged with its Avanza inspired design. It is smaller, especially if you consider the dimensions of 4,435 mm x 1,695 mm x 1,705 mm for the length, width and height respectively. Both the SUVs are offered with 17-inch alloys. As far as headlights are concerned, the all-new Rush brings in LED lights with guidelines whereas the RAV4 gets halogen projectors sans DRLs.

The cabins of both the vehicles are different in their approach. The upholstery for the smaller SUV here is done in leather while the bigger RAV4 base model gets fabric. With the Toyota Rush, one gets dual-zone climate control with vents for the second and third row. The RAV4 gets a manual air-conditioning with vents for the second row. The biggest deal here is that the 2018 Rush specifications differ in terms of trims. With the trim selected here, one gets seven seats whereas lower trims are offered with a five-seater configuration. The RAV4 though has no inhibitions and is offered only as a five-seater.

For the audio units, the Toyota RAV4 uses a four-speaker music system that is compatible with AUX, USB and MP3. The Toyota Rush variants offer a touchscreen music system that takes in AUX, USB and MP3.

If you talk about the safety features, then the Toyota RAV4 specifications reveal that it gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, child lock protection as well as ISOFIX mounts. If you check the Toyota Rush specifications, you will know that it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control as well as Hill Start Assist. Clearly, the Rush is better specced here.

As far as the engines are concerned, the Toyota RAV4 gets a 180 PS/ 233 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You will only get 4x2 with this trim of the RAV4 though 4WD is available for the higher trims as well. The 2018 Toyota Rush gets a smaller 1.5-litre petrol motor that is good for 105 PS of power and 136 Nm of torque. A 4-speed automatic transmission can be ordered along with rear wheel drive. It doesn’t get 4WD even as an option. The smaller engine is more efficient, however, it lacks pulling power compared to the one on the RAV4.

Overall, in terms of the vehicle you should end up buying, we suggest that you go for the Toyota Rush. It has got more equipment, boasts a seven-seat configuration as well as good specced safety feature list. It is though smaller than the RAV4 and those seven seats can never be filled with average sized adults. The Toyota RAV4 is more expensive, by a good 20,000 pesos and comes with less safety as well as overall features. That you can option the RAV4 with a 4WD is a juicy prospect but one that will make you pay through your nose.