The Rush was launched in January 2006 as a new compact SUV that succeeded the Cami (May 1999-December 2005). The Rush and the Cami were both supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. under an OEM arrangement, the Daihatsu Be-go and the Daihatsu Terios being their respective sister models. The Rush was a size larger than the Cami, with the wheelbase, length, and width extended by 160 mm, 210 mm, and 140 mm, respectively. The newly developed monocoque body with a built-in ladder frame was lighter yet sturdier. Its external features included the trapezoidal front grille and the rear windshield that seemed integrated with the rear quarter windows.

The lengthwise-mounted 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder DOHC (3SZ-VE) engine replaced the 1.3-liter inline 4-cylinder DOHC unit and its turbocharged version. The transmission was either a 5-speed manual (4-wheel-drive [4WD] model only) or a 4-speed automatic. The drivetrain configuration was front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or full-time 4WD with a mechanical center lock. The 4WD model offered the optional VSC (vehicle stability control) system that could automatically adjust the engine output and braking when the vehicle skidded on a slippery surface.