Following its official unveiling in early May, Toyota Australia has announced availability of the 2010 Toyota Rukus, on sale in Australia from today.

Starting at $27,490 (Manufacturer's List Price), the Rukus is available in three trim levels.

With the exception of the Kia Soul, the Rukus is somewhat unique in the local market with its uncompromising 'shoe-box' styling. Toyota says it was designed to offer a "head-turning alternative" to the small hatches, sedans and wagons available in Australia.

Toyota Australia says it expects to sell around 150 to 200 of the Rukus each month. By comparison, the month of April saw Toyota sell around 2800 Corollas in Australia.

According to Scott Thompson, Marketing Manager for Toyota Australia, the Rukus is expected to bring "young, urban trend-setters" to the Japanese brand. In particular, Toyota Australia is expecting a significant number of Rukus buyers to be people who have never previously considered a Toyota.

While there are three equipment grades available, Toyota’s 2.4 litre petrol inline four is the sole engine on offer. Similar to that seen in service in the RAV4, the Rukus' engine offers 123kW of power at 6000rpm, and 224Nm of torque at 4000rpm. Fuel consumption is listed at 8.8 l/100km.

To learn more about the 2010 Toyota Rukus, click through to our model information page.

Pricing and Availability

The 2010 Toyota Rukus is available now.

• 2010 Toyota Rukus - Build 1: $27,490
• 2010 Toyota Rukus - Build 2: $29,990
• 2010 Toyota Rukus - Build 3: $31,790

Note: prices are Manufacturer's List Price and do not include dealer delivery or on-road costs.

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• reply ” like !

  

  Wheelnut says,
  3 years ago

  It's a glorified Daihatsu Charade/Sirion
• reply ” like !

  Andy Wana says,
  3 years ago

  1 like

  Tell them the price son, the price son.
• reply ” like !

  

  Martin1491 says,
  3 years ago

  Somehow I doubt Toyota would even have considered bringing this to Australia if KIA didn't release the Soul here.
  • reply ” like !

    says,
    3 years ago

    Exactly what I was thinking. Although you don't seem to see a lot of Souls driving around, so the market for these cars are still very much a niche one. Should be interesting to see how successful this car becomes when it's eventually released.
    
    Now all we need is for Nissan to come join the party with some locally delivered Cubes.
    • reply ” like !

      says,
      3 years ago

      You'ré pretty spot on, there are more import Nissan Cubes being boxed around then there are souls. And oddly enough it seems Toyota is trying to gain market on an imported fad. Seems logical if they have the market but it doesn't appear to be so. But like you referred to maybe nissan has something up their sleeve domestically.
• reply ” like !

  

  MattJ says,
  3 years ago

  The thing is... they should bring the youth market Scion to Aus...
  
  And i bet they will sell the BASE model with hubcaps as seen in this photo at a premium price. Defiantly more than a Fiesta, Daewoo Barina and the rest of the small cars.
  
  Don't forget the ridiculous prices for the Toyota 'styling' add ons!
• reply ” like !

  

  MattJ says,
  3 years ago

  And they should bring in the Scion tC model.!.
  
  
  Minus the Toyota emblems.

  
  
• reply ” like !

  

  auto says,
  3 years ago

  I suspect there will be a recall on this bucket of bolts, they spelt the name wrong.
• reply ” like !

  

  sammo8191 says,
  3 years ago

  Rukus - what a dumb name.
  
  
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  I've actually driven one of this before and the thing I liked about it is the ease in getting into and out of the car. You literally slide in and slide out. You also get a decent room compared to a small hatch.
  
  However the engine is a little under-powered and is not the best handling car (I know most Toyotas don't really handle that well anyway)
• reply ” like !

  

  Wheelnut says,
  3 years ago

  1 like

  Rukus backwards is Sukur.... as in Sucker
  • reply ” like !

    Matthew Werner says,
    3 years ago

    Holden could've used that name for the Epica lol
    • reply ” like !

      

      Wheelnut says,
      3 years ago

      1 like

      Maybe; but at least Epicas don't have any Sticking Accelerator or Faulty brake problems.
      • reply ” like !

        

        Mobile Chicane says,
        3 years ago

        Brake problems like the 3 litre Commodore? Thats what you are referring to, isn't it?
      • reply ” like !

        Shaun Camilleri says,
        3 years ago

        yeah before you start bagging out toyota you may wanna check the Holden recalls...... they have actually had more recalls than toyota (in Australia) ranging from brakes, air bags and fuel line hoses.
        • reply ” like !

          says,
          3 years ago

          Wheelnut, he/she is such a bias numb nut. This clown should research holdens' history himself and find out how blemish free the company is.

          
          
• reply ” like !

  

  MattJ says,
  3 years ago

  bahahahahahahaha
• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  3 years ago

  Nissan ought to bring in their Cube over here.
• reply ” like !

  

  Tom says,
  3 years ago

  I fit in the 'under 25' market, that this is apparently aimed at. There seems to be this weird idea that people under 25 will buy something purely because its quirky or unique. Thats simply not the case. The Ssangyong Rexton has quirky, challenging design, and people on mass stayed away from it. While I can't speak for all under 25's and tastes are subjective, I can say that people who are under 25 generally look for the same things in a car as everyone else. Things like, does it match my lifestyle, is it value for money, does it suit me and my image (often a subconscious decision), etcetera. Its just that our lifestyles and idea of 'value for money' differ from older buyers.
  
  This car won't be value for money, because its a Toyota, and its not 'utility' enough to make it worth the embarrassment of owning this over a normal hatchback.
• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  3 years ago

  Ssanyong ain't quirky their weird as in ugly weird.. quirky is Subaru or Citroen and even a few Nissans like Cube or Juke.
• reply ” like !

  

  Adrian says,
  3 years ago

  Nissan must be selling Cubes soon...
  
  Saw one getting around yesterday
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  People, people--calm down. As a previous Scion rep who worked the launch of that brand in the US I can tell you a few things about this vehicle.
  
  1) It is NOT a rebadged Daihatsu. In fact, it has been sold for many years in Japan as the Toyota bB.
  
  2) It is a highly customizable vehicle. (You'll see more about this as you read on).
  
  3) It does lack in power a bit in original form. However, there are heaps of engine mods (intakes, exhausts, etc, etc, etc) available that are actually encouraged by Toyota that greatly improved the power.
  
  Most of these mods are actually warranty covered if done at the dealer, as well.
  
  The reason I say "does lack power a bit in original form" is because it originally came only in a 1.5L 4 cyl. However, today's variant comes with a much more powerful 2.4L 4cyl that is even more highly customizable; and a true beauty in this car.
  
  3) This vehicle is highly utilitarian; generally much more so then a typical hatch. This is the reason so many of these cars in the US are sold to businesses and older people.
  
  4) The shape is a love or hate thing. Those that love it definately do. Those that hate it often do for good. However, many of the original people who hate it tend to "come around" to the car once they realize the utility and functionality of it; and/or get to drive the car.
  
  5) This car is quite fun to drive. Particularly in manual form; and also with the various suspension and wheel mods available. It is easy to get in and out. The driver's seat is quite supportive and comfortable; and the driver's position allows for good sight lines all around.
  
  These cars are fixed priced in the US (meaning the price is the price and everyone pays the same-no negotiation). As the car comes equipped standard from the factory it starts at US$16,520.
  
  All of the customizable options are also fixed priced (Scion calls this "True Pricing"). To give you an idea of the kind of ability to customize these--I had one that I toured around to concerts, colleges, clubs, etc with when the brand was launching that topped out over US$45,000.
  
  This car had various engine, suspension, wheel, video & audio, exterior paintwork and lighting, and interior trim and lighting done to it. These options were a combination of various brands, including Toyota.
  
  While all these options might not be for everyone, let me assure you that car was great fun!
  
  The one thing we did notice early on (that we didn't count on initially) was that there were a lot of older people really looking the car over and seriously considering it on various tour stops. I learned quickly that it had a much broader appeal then Gen X & below.
  
  I can't tell you how many orders I placed for business owners and people above the age of 50. What I can tell you is that when this car was released every dealer I knew had AT LEAST an eight month waiting list and an average for added options over US$2800/car.
  
  Having been in Australia now approaching 2 1/2 years I have often wondered why Toyota hadn't brought any of the three Scion models here. One just needs to look at all the cars running around with various mods to think that they will do well here.
  
  The roadworthy (RWC) process (that isn't in the US) lends even more to the viability of all these customizable options. With a car through the RWC a person doesn't have to take a chance on the unknown factor of mods.
  
  While this car is definately not going to be for everyone I do think that it will develop an audience here in Oz. It has become a car with quite the cult following in the US. With Scion clubs popping up all over the the country.
  
  I reckon that, if Toyota Australia markets the car as successfully as Toyota Motor Corporation of America did, it will be a success.
  
  I can only hope that it will prompt them to bring the xA (a little 5 door hatch) and the tC (an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL little sports coupe) here as well.
  
  Happy Driving,
  Trent Kuhtz
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  Correction from my earlier post--The Scion xA is now called the Scion xD.
• reply ” like !

  Lisa Preston says,
  3 years ago

  How much is Toyota going to pay me to own one of these ?
  
  and I thought the FJ Cruiser was ugly............... looks like its love child.
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  Awesome car but Toyota Aus brought it out10 years too late.
  And the price has been set too high
• reply ” like !

  

  jasonc says,
  3 years ago

  Hey Trent Kruhtz - Toyota Australia have decied not to include manual as an option!
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  Here we go again another vehicle with no manual option. Should suit the city dwellers I suppose.
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  I work for Toyota and currently in the process of selling my current car to get the Rukus. People diss it to quickly. It's an individual car, definitly more of a hate than a love. But it is roomy, love the dash, great for my height with a 2.4Lt engine which I thought it was going to be a 1.8 like the corolla due to the same wheel length base. I can understand it if you don't like the look/shape/design, but why complain about the price? Build one is about the same price as a Corolla Conquest Hatch Automatic, yet the Rukus has start smart and entry, 2.4lt engine and is alot more roomier. The Rukus is better value for money. I've already picked out some nice rims and looking at decal stickers for them. Can't wait to own in a months time.
• reply ” like !

  says,
  3 years ago

  Why the fxxk they changed the front and rear bumper and as well they dodgy rear tail light? I ordered mine Build 3 and will be in Melbourne on August but still have no fxxking idea why Oz Toyota did that.