Toyota Rukus 2010 review

Put a Toyota badge on a cardboard box and it'll sell like hotcakes, so the saying goes. Well, now Toyota's done just that.  From the car company that brought you cardigans comes a wheeled box that carries with it a new direction for Toyota - niche.

Toyota plans that the square-edged Rukus that goes on sale from June 1 priced from $27,490 will in April next year be joined by the macho FJ Cruiser.  Both create the niche sector of its revised, four-sided business plan that surrounds its existing 13-model range.

Later comes Toyota’s new focus on sports cars - including the collaboration coupe with Subaru presented in concept form as the FT-86 - then ‘innovation’ models including city cars with electric power, and a swelling of the hybrid ranks.  The Rukus' box-like shape follows the similarly-styled Kia Soul and, for Australia, is a styling direction previously only explored by architects and bricklayers.

But after honing its marketing skills with the Rukus' predecessor, the Scion, in the US, Toyota has delivered a Corolla-sized family/single/youth-oriented vehicle with surprising appeal.

Price and equipment

It arrives in three models - Build 1,2 or 3 - with pricing at $27,490, $29,990 and $31,790 respectively but all with a high safety and feature list including standard automatic transmission, stability control, auto up/down for all electric windows, alloy wheels and cruise control.

Space and fit-out

Looks aside, the Rukus has a spacious and flexible interior. What makes it special is its user-friendliness.  The lift-up hatch reveals space for prams and mountain bikes, with a generous storage zone beneath the cargo floor for wet items. The spare tyre is a skinny space-saver which is the only negative.

That tall height gives room inside for occupants to wear hats. That's not a request, merely recognition that the headroom is expansive and one that - together with the fishbowl windscreen and long side darkened glass - creates an airy cabin.  Seating is for four adults - five if you're friendly - with excellent legroom all around.

Where the bodywork is angular, that edge is softened by the array of round instrument gauges, air vents and - not surprisingly - the steering wheel.  Like Kia's Soul, there's a lot of hard plastic inside but the effect is diluted by different textures, segmented panels and varying trim colours.

The overt use of storage space impresses. There are small storage bins at either end of the dashboard for items such as mobile phones.  The impressive audio has iPod connection so there's room for the handset; the model-specific large centre console is lidded and acts as an armrest; there is a hidden tray beneath the rear seats; and the glovebox has a secondary storage area above. And there's lots of places I have yet to discover.

The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds almost flat for a decent 1331 litres of space. It's not just the space but the wide accessibility to the cargo area and the high cargo floor height that will make it appeal to people - predominantly women shoppers, mothers or older owners wanting a car that's easy to load and unload.

In fact, while Toyota sees the Rukus as being a youth-oriented accessory, it has broad appeal over all ages.  That cargo bed height and the tall seat height make it easy for older people to get in and out.  Families will like its space and versatility and wrinkled gear heads like me are impressed by the performance.

Mechanical

On that note, the Rukus comes with a more vibrant version of the RAV4 2.4-litre engine that drives through a four-speed automatic gearbox to the front wheels.  At 123kW/224Nm it's a healthy addition that gives the wagon plenty of `go' to compete with the `show'.  The gearbox has sequential shift - the first time used in Australia for the four-speed auto - to pep up performance.

Handling is pretty good for what is ostensibly a tall Corolla, though it's not a sports car.  More impressive is the quietness of the car and its fuss-free attitude to freeways. Despite its boxy shape, it has a very low aerodynamic factor of 0.32 which is better than most modern hatchbacks.

The Rukus appears to be geared quite high to improve economy and, at a claimed 8.8 litres/100km is more frugal than the RAV4.  However, while the gearbox may be well suited to loping along freeways, it doesn't impinge on its sparkling acceleration and strong mid-range overtaking ability.

Its performance credentials will become more necessary if owners pick up on the range of custom features laid out on the options list. Flame body stickers for the slab sides and spoilers are among the items on the Australian list but those pursuing a more individual look may find joy in the US aftermarket catalogues for the Scion.

It has a wide audience, though its looks will polarise your neighbour. It is as ideal for someone who misses the Corolla wagon and doesnt want to be seen in an SUV, as it is for a single buyer bored with vanilla cars and an elderly couple who want transport that is kind on their hips and their wallets.
The trick for Toyota dealers is getting you into one for a test drive.

TOYOTA RUKUS

Origin: Japan

Price: $27,490 (Build 1); $29,990 (Build 2); $31,790 (Build 3)
Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cyl
Power: 123kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 224Nm @ 4000rpm
Top speed: 190km/h
Fuel: Standard unleaded
Fuel tank: 55 litres
Economy (official): 8.8 litres/100km
Economy (tested): 9.1 litres/100km
Greenhouse: 208g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, sequential; front-drive
Brakes: 4-wheel discs, ESC, ABS, EBD, brake assist
Turning circle: 10.6m
Suspension: Front _ MacPherson struts; Rear _ torsion beam, coils
Wheels: 16-inch alloy, 205/55R16 tyres; space-saver spare
Length: 4260mm
Width: 1760mm
Height: 1645mm
Wheelbase: 2600mm
Weight: 1390-1400kg
Tow (max): 500kg
Warranty: 3yr/100,000km
Service: 15,000km

Rating

86/100

Rivals

Hyundai ix35 2WD ($28,990) 86/100;

Kia Soul ($27,390) 86/100;

Suzuki SX4 S ($25,490) 80/100