Used Toyota Rukus review

Exterior:

• There have been some major paint-peeling issues, particularly with white Rukus models built between the 22nd of August 2011 and the 25th of December 2015. The extent of the problem can range from small, barely noticeable patches of lifted paint to entire sections peeling off. The good news is that, in many cases, even if the car has changed hands multiple times and is well out of warranty, Toyota has stepped in and covered the cost of repainting affected metal panels or, in some cases, the entire car. That said, with these cars now pushing a decade or more in age, any assistance from Toyota is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some Australian owners have reported that their local Toyota dealership wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about helping, and there have been instances where Toyota Australia has rejected repair claims despite approving nearly identical cases. To add to the frustration, reports from markets like Canada suggest that Toyota there has been far more proactive in addressing the issue, covering affected cars without hesitation. Overall, owners recommend pushing Toyota as hard as possible for assistance—you might not get the entire cost covered, but any contribution toward repainting is better than nothing.
• If you do find yourself dealing with pushback from Toyota or a dealership, it’s worth checking out owner groups and forums. Plenty of Rukus owners have been through this battle before and have shared advice on the best ways to get some support.
• Beyond the paint issues, really poorly maintained Rukus models that have spent their lives parked outdoors in Australia’s harsh climate can sometimes suffer from clear coat degradation, but generally speaking, if a car has been reasonably well cared for, this shouldn’t be a major concern.
• Other than that, we struggled to find any significant exterior-related faults. Unlike plenty of far more expensive cars we’ve featured, exterior electronics, door locks and  handles, and exterior trim pieces all seem to be pretty much bulletproof.
• That said, one thing to keep in mind is that Toyota didn’t sell many of these, and while they do have a dedicated and highly supportive fan base, sourcing exterior body parts is becoming more of a challenge. Things like headlights, front bars, and other Rukus-specific components are getting harder to find, and when they do pop up, prices can sometimes reflect their rarity.

Interior:

• As with many Toyotas, owners have had plenty to say about the infotainment system and not much of it is positive. In Australia, the Rukus was available in three trim levels, and while all three come with Bluetooth connectivity, only the mid- and high-spec models feature a colour screen display-style head unit.
• Regardless of the variant, the factory system is prone to Bluetooth connectivity issues, feels dated, and generally lacks the functionality of even the most basic modern systems.
• Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for this, and loads of owners highly recommend it—simply fitting an aftermarket infotainment system. This not only resolves the connectivity issues but also allows you to add Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reverse camera, and even parking sensors.

Mechanically:

• Unfortunately the 2.4 L 2AZ-FE has developed a notorious reputation for oil consumption. The issue primarily affects engines produced between 2007 and 2011, but cases outside that range aren’t unheard of. The root cause is a piston ring design flaw, which, when combined with high mileage and poor maintenance, can make the problem significantly worse.
• One of the biggest risks when buying a Rukus is that excessive oil consumption isn’t something you can easily identify just by looking at the car. Even a pre-purchase inspection isn’t necessarily going to reveal the issue, as the symptoms may not be immediately obvious.
• Early versions of this engine are also prone to head gasket issues, which can lead to another serious problem—the head bolt threads in the block failing when being tensioned. This can often be repaired with a thread insert, but in some cases, it’s not fixable, and the entire engine is essentially scrap. That said, while this is a known issue, considering there are millions of these engines on the road, it’s not exactly common.
• Valve cover and timing chain tensioner oil leaks are also fairly frequent occurrences, but they’re usually not too difficult to address.
• It’s important to remember that while the 2AZ-FE has its flaws, there are literally millions of these engines powering various Toyota models across the world, and the vast majority will prove to be ultra-reliable. If the worst were to happen and an engine did fail, replacement units are relatively easy to source and shouldn’t break the bank. That said, even for high-mileage examples with known oil consumption issues, as long as the oil level is checked regularly, maintenance is kept up to date, and servicing is meticulous, these engines can keep running for an impressively long time.