Toyota in car market of India (the most dynamic), market carving its own path by delivering reliable comfort value retention centric vehicles.
Toyota Rumion as rolled out in collaboration with Suzuki represent this thinking and it is an opening shot to enhance the body footprint in already stiff Innova/ Mahindra Scorpio segment.
Between urban families and fleet operators looking for a more functional mobility solution, the Rumion shows a lot promise by combining Toyota service ethos with practical Indian user requirements.
1+1 equals Rumion: the genesis of Toyota-Suzuki joint venture
The behind the scenes of Toyota Rumion comes from the interesting strategic partnership of two automotive titans. In 2019, Toyota and Suzuki officially inked their partnership which would allow both manufacturers to take advantage of each others strength for select world markets.
Toyota contributed its worldwide technological knowledge and quality discipline, and Suzuki shared the insight it had gained from living in India over half a century.
Leading by example, this collaboration has given us the likes of the Glanza (a rebadged Baleno) and Urban Cruiser (Vitara Brezza) at the moment.
Design Philosophy: Subtle Elegance
The Rumion design philosophy is functional and straight-to-the-point — something the consumer using our target demographic will appreciate.
Like a front fascade front that follows Toyota design language with slim chrome cut-outs grille formed mill wheels for fade seamlessly debuting hite halogen projector headlights.
Like the front of the car has foglamps in C shaped chrome surrounds, which adds sophistication to the thingy but not for a breath of air.
On the grounds the Rumion is proportioned as classic MPV, with a SE curvature roofline and bigish windows for maximum indoor roominess.
While the 15-inch alloy wheels may not be especially slickest, they do fall in line with the style ethos the vehicle aims at achieving through practical elegance.
A long vehicle with the width of a station wagon, it breaks the columnar appearance of the majority of vehicles within this segment and at the same time gives a sense of visual interest through crack-line running down its length.
At the rear, the wrap-around tail lamps connect
Interior: Space efficiency bootcamp
Once you step inside the Rumion this is EXACTLY how you know its true character.
Once inside the cabin you see that cabin layout epitomizes Toyota mantra multi-use space mastery, arguably capable of rooming seven adults in a three-row arrangement — something many so called 7-seats in market fail to achieve on consistency.
Whilst the dashboard is way more geared towards haptics and functional materials than current trends in styling.
Physical buttons and knobs for climate control and basic functionality are sized to fit and located in an exploitable spot for the driver—a sensible step in the age of nearly singular touchscreen interfaces that trade usability for form.
While not industry-leading in size or resolution, the 7″ touchscreen infotainment system facilitates smooth connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The material quality in the cabin across a touch-screen is, i feel, a perfect marriage of durability and appeal. There are tasteful beige fabric upholstery included in the interior to provide more joy and perfectly complimented faux wood dash & door panels.
Powertrains: Efficiency in Name Only
Under the hood, there are two engine choices available under Rumion meaning that both are true Toyota, reliability over outright performance.
Starting with the entry level models, it follows that 1.5 liter naturally aspirated K15C petrol generating a not very thrilling 103 hp and 137 Nm.
Its powertrain: either you get manual 5-speed gearbox with the engine or at rear wheels 6-speed torque-converter automatic.
The other one is the 1.5 liter engine with mild hybriding that Toyota calls “Smart Hybrid.”
It consists of a combined starter-generator and a very trim Li-ion cell boosting torque assist during accelerations, that when available offers some additional engine braking and helps for the auto start-stop (by contributing improvements in fuel economy marginally, since torque assist mainly supports acceleration).
Powertrain wise nothing will make your heart skip a beat here, but that never was the plan. Rather, both provide a quiet and refined efficiency befitting the urban conditions under which they are to be driven.
