Toyota will introduce the Maruti Ertiga-based Rumion MPV in India around September this year. The carmaker already sells the Rumion in markets like South Africa, and, like its export version, the Indian model too will be built and supplied by Maruti Suzuki.
- Rumion MPV will sit below the Innova line-up in India
- Will come with petrol initially, could get CNG later
- Will get minor styling tweaks to differentiate itself from Ertiga
Toyota Rumion: another rebadged Maruti
The Rumion went on sale in South Africa in early October 2021, with the manufacturer also filing a trademark for the name in India the same month. The Rumion will be Toyota’s fourth MPV in India, in a line-up which includes the Innova Crysta, the Innova Hycross and the Vellfire. The Vellfire MPV will also receive a full model change soon.
The Rumion MPV that is on sale in South Africa looks identical to the Ertiga sold in India barring a different grille, unique alloy wheel design and Toyota logos instead of Suzuki ones. Even on the inside, both MPVs have an identical dashboard layout and equipment list. While the the Rumion sold in South Africa does set itself apart with an all-black interior, compared to the Ertiga’s beige interiors, the Indian model will likely have interiors that are identical to the Ertiga.
Mechanically, too, the Rumion will carry over the 103hp, 137Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Ertiga in India. It will come mated to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic. Expect a CNG powertrain option to be introduced a little later. Like the Ertiga, the Rumion will also be available in a three-row, eight-seater configuration.
Toyota Rumion: second Maruti-supplied product in India
As part of the Toyota-Suzuki partnership, the Rumion follows the Glanza as the second Maruti-supplied product for Toyota in India. Maruti also supplies Toyota with more models overseas: the Ciaz is sold as the Belta, the Celerio is sold as the Vitz and the Baleno is sold as the Starlet. The Grand Vitara, which is essentially a Maruti product, is built by Toyota at its plant in Bidadi, Karnataka alongside its badge-engineered cousin, the Hyryder.
The second product from Toyota to be sold in India as a Maruti is the recently launched Invicto MPV, which is based on the Innova Hycross. Additionally, in markets like the UK, the Toyota RAV4 SUV is supplied to Suzuki as the A-Cross SUV and the Corolla Wagon is sold as the Suzuki Swace.
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