The real MVP of MPVs: Suzuki XL7 vs Toyota Rush

The need for a beefy but agile vehicle has driven the local seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment to put out an impressive lineup. And among the growing number of MPVs, choosing can get a bit tricky. Today, we pit the Suzuki XL7 against the Toyota Rush to see which among them deserves to be your family’s MVP.

Let’s start by checking out the tale of the tape.

Exterior

Toyota Rush:

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 4,435mm x 1,695mm x 1,705mm
• Wheelbase: 2,685mm
• Ground Clearance: 220mm

Suzuki XL7:

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 4,450mm x 1,775mm x 1,710mm
• Wheelbase: 2,740mm
• Ground Clearance: 200mm

The larger of the two, the Suzuki’s XL7 seems to tower over the ‘baby Fortuner.’ It’s also wider and longer, making it the chunkier MPV. However, The Toyota Rush makes up for its size with a higher ground clearance — 20 millimeters more than the XL7 to be exact.

 

 

In terms of design, the two MPVs seem to take a similar path as both the XL7 and the Rush are unmistakably SUV-eque.

The Suzuki XL7 offers a bold face grille coupled with a faux skid plate and LED headlamps with DRL making Suzuki’s MPV look more masculine. The same design language continues to the side with aggressive fender flares that are complemented with a faux skid plate to match what’s up front. The rear lights are also comparably striking with sharp and strong lines.

 

In the same manner, the Rush from Toyota boasts an equivalent masculine appeal. Noticeable is its linear front grille that flows in the same geometric lines as the LED headlamps. However, what catches the attention is the arched hood that flows to the roofline and ends at the Rush’s strong angular rear.

Both MPVs are tied when it comes to how they look on the outside.

Interior

Inside, the large dimensions of the XL7 pay off. The interior is spacious with enough legroom and headroom for its passengers — even those sitting in the third-row seats. There’s also enough amenities to keep both driver and passengers entertained on short and long trips. A 10-inch, larger than life, touchscreen audio panel sits in the middle of the cabin delivering audio to six speakers. There’s also an abundance of pockets, cup holders, and accessory sockets, to keep everyone comfortable and engaged throughout the ride. Space is also where the XL7 shines the most. Both the second and third row seats can be folded. With 803 liters of luggage space, we’re sure you can find a place for anything.

 

The Toyota Rush shows its softer side when you enter the cabin. Beige-colored plastic accents can be found all over which kind of breaks all the beef the Rush has to offer. It has a smaller seven-inch infotainment system that can mirror your smartphone. It also sends audio to a set of six or eight speakers depending on the trim level. That said, amenities like accessory outlets and the number of headrests depend on your chosen variant. Furthermore, the number of passengers the Rush can accommodate also depends on the trim as only the top-spec 1.5 G variant can seat 7. In terms of trunk space, you get 514 liters with the basic 1.5 E variant and 212 liters with the upper 1.5 G variant.

Engine

Under its contoured hood, the Toyota Rush is powered by a 1.5L, 4 Cylinder, In-line, 16 Valve DOHC, Chain Drive with Dual VVT-i. This helps the Rush put out 102 buff horses and 134 Nm of torque. And while the XL7 from Suzuki also uses a 1.5L engine, the reliable K15B engine shared by the Jimny gives the XL7 103 beefy horses and 138 Nm of torque allowing Suzuki to lead by a hair over Toyota.

Safety

Here’s where you see both MPVs show they don’t skimp out.

The Suzuki XL7 offers a full-suite of advanced safety features including two front airbags, seatbelts on the front-, second-, and third-row seats, Isofix child seat anchorages, child seat tether anchorages, side impact door beams, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), hill hold control, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. Of course, Suzuki won’t let the XL7 off without the Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), giving its MPV a structure that efficiently absorbs and disperses energy in an event of a collision.

Well, Toyota won’t go down without a fight. Right off the bat, you get six SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control with traction control, hill start assist, and emergency stop signal, seat belts for every passenger, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and child seat tether anchorages.

Pricing and Variants

Suzuki XL7:

All-New XL7 GLX - A/T — P1,073,000

Toyota Rush:

RUSH 1.5 E M/T — P983,000
RUSH 1.5 E A/T — P1,023,000
RUSH 1.5 G A/T — P1,100,000

Verdict

While both MPVs are virtually neck and neck, the Suzuki XL7 deserves to be the real MVP - at least in our books. With a slightly more powerful engine, more spacious interior, and a slew of safety features and driver amenities, Suzuki’s entry to the MPV segment makes for a vehicle with better value for your money. On the other hand, Toyota’s Rush leaves room for compromise having a variant that’s under 1M.

Photos from Suzuki and Toyota

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