Toyota Rukus Review: Specs, Price and Features in Australia 2024

Are you in the market for a unique and stylish car that will turn heads on the road? Look no further than the Toyota Rukus. With its distinctive design and practical features, the Rukus is a standout choice for those seeking something different.

In Australia, the Toyota Rukus comes equipped with a 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine that delivers 123kW of power and 224Nm of torque. It boasts 5 doors and 5 seats, providing ample space for both passengers and cargo. Despite its compact exterior, the Rukus surprises with its generous interior room and flat floor. The boot has a capacity of 310 litres and features useful storage areas.

While the Rukus doesn't have an ANCAP safety rating, it is packed with standard safety features such as six airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. Additionally, it comes with a 3-year warranty and has a front-wheel-drive transmission.

If you're looking for a car that stands out from the crowd and offers practicality and comfort, the Toyota Rukus is worth considering. Let's dive into the details of its design, features, performance, fuel efficiency, customization options, and market reception.

Key Takeaways:

• The Toyota Rukus is a unique and stylish car with a distinctive design.
• It has a 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine that delivers 123kW of power and 224Nm of torque.
• The Rukus offers ample space for passengers and cargo, with 5 doors and 5 seats.
• Standard safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control.
• The Rukus has a fuel consumption rate of 8.8L/100KM.

The Toyota Rukus showcases a one-of-a-kind and unconventional design that effortlessly stands out amidst the competition. Its boxy exterior is equipped with halogen projector lamps, faux air dams on the front bumper, and a flat tailgate, further enhancing its distinct appearance.

Available in three different models, namely Build 1, Build 2, and Build 3, the Toyota Rukus offers a range of design and feature options to suit individual preferences.

Build 1 Model:

• 16" alloy wheels
• Cruise control
• Keyless entry and start
• Electric windows and mirrors
• Air conditioning
• 6-speaker sound system
• Cloth trim

Build 2 Model:

• Leather seats
• Steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control
• 9-speaker sound system with sub-woofer
• Automatic climate control

Build 3 Model:

• Tilt and slide moonroof
• All features from Build 2 model

With these diverse model offerings, the Toyota Rukus allows buyers to select the combination of features that resonate with their preferences and individual style.

The Toyota Rukus offers a spacious interior that ensures comfort for both front and rear passengers. Despite its compact exterior, the Rukus surprises with its generous interior room, providing ample leg and headroom for a comfortable ride.

The interior design of the Rukus is quirky and unique, adding to its charm. It features a centre-mounted speedometer cluster, high-mounted gear lever, and large air vents, creating a distinctive and unconventional interior layout.

One notable feature of the Rukus is its flat floor, which enhances the interior room, allowing passengers to stretch their legs comfortably. Whether you're seated in the front or the back, you'll have enough legroom to relax during your journey.

In terms of storage, the Rukus offers a boot capacity of 310 litres, providing plenty of space for your belongings. It also comes with useful storage areas throughout the interior, ensuring you can keep your essentials organised and within reach.

The build 2 and build 3 models of the Rukus are equipped with a sound system that offers "sublime audio quality" according to Toyota. Whether you're enjoying your favorite music or listening to an audiobook, the audio experience inside the Rukus is sure to elevate your journey.

While Bluetooth streaming is available in the Rukus, it's important to note that the audio cannot be changed via the steering wheel or audio controls, requiring you to make adjustments directly on the sound system.

The Toyota Rukus boasts a powerful 2.4L four-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive 123kW of power and 224Nm of torque, ensuring a thrilling driving experience. Paired with a smooth four-speed automatic gearbox, the Rukus offers seamless acceleration and effortless handling.

Thanks to its lighter weight compared to the Camry, the Rukus surprises with its lively performance and agility on the road. Whether you're cruising along highways or tackling city streets, this unique car delivers an enjoyable and responsive ride.

While the Rukus excels in performance, it does have some drawbacks when it comes to handling. The car exhibits noticeable body roll during corners, which may impact the overall stability. However, for most drivers, the Rukus' sporty handling and responsive steering will provide an engaging and enjoyable driving experience.

Despite its spirited performance, the four-speed automatic gearbox can sometimes be sluggish and unintelligent, especially when navigating hilly terrains. With erratic gear shifts and a tendency to change up too early, the gearbox may require some adjustments to find the optimal balance between power and efficiency.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Toyota Rukus proves to be a practical choice. With a fuel consumption rate of 8.8L/100KM, it offers relatively good fuel efficiency for its size and power. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, the Rukus allows you to go further with less fuel.

But fuel efficiency isn't the only factor to consider when it comes to the Rukus. Toyota has also prioritised safety in this unique vehicle. Equipped with a range of standard safety features, the Rukus ensures your peace of mind on the road. It comes with six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes with EBD and BA, an engine immobiliser, and active head restraints.

While the Rukus doesn't have an ANCAP safety rating, these safety features provide ample protection for you and your passengers. Whether you're navigating busy city streets or cruising on the open highway, you can trust that Toyota has implemented measures to keep you safe.

In addition to its safety features, the Rukus boasts another advantage. Weighing approximately 100kg less than the Camry, the Rukus offers better fuel efficiency and spritely acceleration. So, not only can you enjoy a safe ride, but you can also experience the thrill of zipping through traffic or overtaking with ease.

Personalising your Toyota Rukus to match your style and preferences is made possible with a range of customization options and accessories.

Enhance the look of your Rukus with eye-catching body decals such as stripes and flames. These decals can add a touch of uniqueness and make your Rukus stand out from the crowd.

In addition to body decals, you can also explore TRD (Toyota Racing Development) accessories to further customise your Rukus. TRD offers a selection of accessories like starter buttons, oil filler caps, and gear shift levers, allowing you to add a sporty and personalised touch to your car.

While the Toyota Rukus offers several options for customization and accessories, it's worth noting that the level of customization available might not be as extensive as some other models like the Kia Soul. However, with the available options, you can still make your Rukus a reflection of your own unique taste and style.

The Toyota Rukus, with its departure from the brand's usual offerings, attracted a mix of reviews upon its release. While it gained attention for its unique design, it didn't achieve significant popularity in Australia. Unlike in Japan, where it resonated with the youth, the Rukus struggled to find its audience in the Australian market. These challenges ultimately led to Toyota discontinuing the Rukus in 2015, leaving its future prospects uncertain.

In conclusion, the Toyota Rukus is a unique and stylish car that stands out on the road. With its spacious interior, quirky design, and decent performance, it offers a distinctive driving experience. Although it may not have been a commercial success in Australia, it has gained a devoted following among those who appreciate its unconventional charm.

If you're in the market for a practical and distinctively designed vehicle, the Toyota Rukus is worth considering. However, it is important to note that with its discontinuation, finding new models or spare parts may become increasingly challenging in the future. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate its individuality, the Toyota Rukus remains an appealing choice.

So, if you're searching for a car that combines practicality with a unique design, the Toyota Rukus could be the right fit for you. Its spacious interior, quirky charm, and decent performance make it a standout option in the market. Just keep in mind the potential challenges that may arise due to its discontinuation in the future.

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What is the Toyota Rukus and when was it launched?

The Toyota Rukus is a funky car model launched by Toyota in 2010.

What are some key features of the Toyota Rukus?

The Toyota Rukus comes with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a range of digital features on its dashboard.

What is the price range for the Toyota Rukus models?

The Toyota Rukus models are available in a price range that is suitable for various budgets.

Is the Toyota Rukus popular in Australia?

Yes, the Toyota Rukus has been a successful and popular model in Australia since its launch.

Can you tell me about the fuel consumption of the Toyota Rukus?

The Toyota Rukus is known for its efficient fuel consumption, making it a cost-effective choice for drivers.

Where can I find the latest news about the Toyota Rukus?

You can stay updated with the latest news about the Toyota Rukus on various automotive news websites.

Are there different variants available in the Toyota Rukus model range?

Yes, the Toyota Rukus model range offers different variants to cater to various customer preferences.