Toyota Rush compact SUV spotted testing in India

A test mule of the Toyota Rush compact SUV has been spotted near Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

Toyota sells the Rush in the Indonesian market with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The car has not been developed to house a diesel engine. This makes it unsuitable for India, where diesels dominate the SUV market. To re-engineer the existing model to take a diesel engine, Toyota would have to incur significant research and development costs, which is unfeasible as the car is nearing the end of its life cycle.

Toyota could, however, develop the next-generation Rush keeping the Indian market in mind. If the Rush does make it to India, it will take on the Ford EcoSport and upcoming compact SUVs such as the Maruti YBA and Hyundai ix25.

The Rush spotted on test is probably being used by a rival company as a benchmark for developing new products.

Source: IAB