2023 Toyota Corolla Rumion

Toyota Corolla Rumion

Toyota’s Corolla Rumion is one of those rare MPVs that manages to dodge the usual family-van clichés. It’s not trying to be a full-on people-mover like the Suzuki Ertiga, and it doesn’t chase the hatchback crowd either. Instead, it lives in the sweet spot for South Africans who want sliding doors and a proper back seat for carpooling in Sandton traffic, but don’t want to pay for the bulk or badge of something pricier. You’re not spoiled for choice—right now, just 9 used examples are up for grabs, every single one running the same 1.5-litre petrol, with a price spread from R308,900 to R379,900. That’s a narrow band, which on paper at least, tells you there’s little difference in spec or mileage. Gearbox options are split: some manuals, some semi-automatics, but nothing too left-field. The median tag of R349,870 means you’re getting in for less than most Carens models, and that’s the point. Not a single new Rumion is floating around, which is no surprise since Toyota’s pulled the plug on local new supply. All the cars are recent—2023 to 2026 plates, mileage averaging just over 38,000 km—which helps keep those prices propped up. The 1.5 S and 1.5 SX dominate the listings, each making a respectable showing in the R308,900 to R369,500 range, with the S MT nudging up to R379,900. What really seals the deal for SA buyers is the Rumion’s sliding doors, a godsend in cramped shopping centre bays, and Toyota’s hard-won reputation for reliability—essential if you want predictable ownership costs. The Ertiga offers that as well, but the Carens, with its fancier kit, can’t always promise the same fuss-free experience at this money.