Recently, Toyota launched its Maruti Suzuki Ertiga-based Rumion in the South African market, and now it has filed a trademark application in India, implying that the brand is all set to launch the MPV in the Indian vehicle market as well. The Rumion is the third rebadged model of Maruti Suzuki to be sold under the Toyota emblem. However, the automaker has not disclosed anything yet, but we are expecting it from the trademark application. It’s worth noting that the Rumion is an India-made vehicle and is part of the Toyota-Maruti agreement.
In terms of design, the Toyota Rumion looks like a Maruti Ertiga MPV, and the only difference we can see is the new three-slat chrome grille as well as the Toyota emblems on the front, rear and alloy wheels. It has slanted A-pillars that continue onto its elevated rooftop to emphasise its spaciousness. Even on the inside, both MPVs feature the same dashboard layout and equipment list, whereas the Rumion stands out with an all-black interior vs the Ertiga's beige interiors.
Moreover, when it comes to mechanical specifications, the Rumion is powered by the same 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine as the Ertiga and is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This engine is capable of churning out 103HP of max power and 138 Nm of max torque. The Rumion, like the Ertiga, is available in a three-row, eight-seater structure.
The Toyota Rumion in South Africa comes with dual-pod headlights, LED tail lights, 15-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic temperature control, twin front airbags, and cooled cupholders. Apart from the Rumion, the Toyota Belta, which is a rebadged version of the Suzuki Ciaz, was also spotted a few days back at a port. It will be interesting to see which car is introduced earlier.
