The name is Rumion: Toyota prices new Avanza replacement

With it being reported last year that Toyota could further leverage on its partnership with Suzuki and introduce a rebadged version of the Ertiga, the automaker has now officially named the newcomer as the Rumion.

Reviving a name last between 2007 and 2015 on the Corolla Rumion, a boxy Kia Soul-esque MPV marketed as the Rukus in Australia and by Toyota’s long since departed Scion division in the United States as the xB, the Rumion arrives as the replacement for the strong selling but dated Avanza with its styling, bar the Toyota badges and different grille, being otherwise unchanged from the Ertiga.

The third Toyota badged Suzuki model after the Starlet (Baleno) and the Urban Cruiser (Vitara Brezza), the Rumion continues to seat seven like the Ertiga, with power again coming from the normally aspirated 1.5 K15B petrol engine.

Hooked to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, the unit produces an unchanged 77kW/138Nm with Toyota claiming a combined fuel consumption of 6.2 L/100 km regardless of the transmission.

ALSO READ: Suzuki Ertiga tipped to get Toyota badged equivalent next year

Dimensionally, the Rumion measures 4 395 mm in overall length with its wheelbase rated at 2 740 mm, height at 1 690 mm and width at 1 735 mm. Boot space with the third row lowered is a claimed 550-litres.

On the specification front, and in-line with the Avanza’s denominators, the Rumion offers a choice of three grades with items in the entry-level S comprising:

• 15-inch steel wheels;
• black bumpers, grille and door handles;
• air-conditioning;
• dual front airbags;
• ABS with EBD;
• all around electric windows

Moving one up, the SX gains a four-speaker sound system with Bluetooth and USB, colour coded bumpers, chrome door handles and colour coded electric mirrors as well as the following:

• rear conditioning;
• remote central locking;
• multi-function steering wheel;
• rear parking sensors

Sitting at the top of the range is the TX, which boasts 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and imitation wood trim on the dashboard as well as:

• seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system;
• automatic air-conditioning;
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto;
• six-speaker sound system;
• a reverse camera;
• wood and leather trimmed steering wheel
• front fog  lamps

In total, five colours are offered; Mystic White Pearl, Seal Grey Metallic, Shadow Black Pearl, Azure Blue and Autumn Blaze Red.

Pricing

Standard across all models is a three year/100 000 km warranty as well as a four service/60 000 km service plan.

• Rumion 1.5 S – R245 600
• Rumion 1.5 SX – R273 500
• Rumion 1.5 SX AT – R289 200
• Rumion 1.5 TX – R301 600
• Rumion 1.5 TX AT – R317 200