If points were given to the quirkiest name for a car, then the latest offering from Toyota would have to be in on the list. Fresh onto the showroom floors around Australia is the new Toyota Rukus. Now, depending on whether you are an avid rugby fan, like I am, you’d probably say it “ruck-us” But if you enjoyed cuddly things like kangaroos, you’d probably say it “roo-kus”. Now don’t get too hung up on the name, because the Toyota Rukus is a handy piece of metal.

Impressed with the way the car looks at the side of the road, I was quite taken with the sharp angles and distinctive lines. So the Toyota Rukus is going to look the goods parked up anyone’s driveway – in its own stylish, sporty kind-of-way.

Under the hood is a 2.4-litre VVT-i, petrol engine that is linked to a four-speed automatic transmission. The combination is smooth and powerful – particularly with 125 kW available. Electronic safety features are leading-edge, and things like the driver and passenger front airbags, front seat mounted side and full length curtain shield airbags cocoon the occupants in any collision event that may occur. Front and Rear Disc Brakes are controlled by an intelligent Active Braking system that incorporates ABS, EBD and BA. All this means, is that the Toyota Rukus handles and stops incredibly well.

A sporty flavour threads through your drive at every corner, and, perhaps, it’s just as well the cruise control feature is at hand to keep your speed legal. The multi-function steering wheel sits nicely in the hands of the driver, and the communication with-which the driver associates with the car’s composure on the road via the steering wheel is excellent. Taut and nimble handling can make for swift touring, when required. And the chassis works well to soaking up of bumps on most road surfaces.

You’ll enjoy the funky new Smart Entry and Smart Start feature that allows for you to keep your keys in your handbag or pocket when you swag up to the Rukus to head home from work. Inside the Rukus are modern materials and colourful blends of upholstery and trim. A one-touch feature applies to all windows, and the mirrors are power-controlled, as well. You’ll note that the glass in the rear door and side has a privacy feature, and it gives the Rukus plenty of chic appeal with its tinted flavour. There is oodles of storage space in the cabin, and the funkiest compartments are found under the luggage area’s floor! Manual air-conditioning keeps the cabin temperature perfect – whatever the weather seems to be doing outside, and you can keep the fluids up with cup-holders available in both the front and rear of the car’s cabin.

Dash design has taken a step out of the traditional mould of boredom, and says hello to a new approach to the way switchgear is laid out over the dash. There remains a bold Multi Information Display in the centre of the dash. With 60:40 split-fold rear seats you’ll definitely fit what you need for your planned trip. And a long car trip would never be the same without a decent sound system, so you’ll like the sound of the six-speaker audio system on offer – though you can step up to nine-speaker sound if you prefer. You can enjoy some spunky looking leather seats, if you want too. And the car comes with an engine immobiliser to keep prying eyes from becoming light-fingered.

There are four models to choose from. The Rukus Build 1 is the base model. There is a Rukus Build 2 and a Toyota Rukus Build 3. Each level is added to with new features for entertainment, luxury and comfort. The latest Toyota Ruckus is the Halo Limited Edition which is so stacked with luxury features it’ll do all the swaggering and posing for you that you’ll ever need to do. Just check out the Halo’s reverse camera, unique blue seat fabric, unique blue exterior paint, tilt and slide moonroof and interior blue footwell illumination.

Well done to Toyota for providing a completely new design with sporty flavour and practicality.

The current model series includes the:

• Rukus Build 1
• Rukus Build 2
• Rukus Build 3
• Rukus Halo Limited Edition

For anymore information on the Toyota Rukus, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Toyota dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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