No sign of Rukus on these shores

The boxy Toyota Rukus is aimed at the youth market. Photo / Supplied by Toyota

A boxy Toyota aimed at the youth market in the United States isn't expected to go on sale here anytime soon, despite the carmaker studying its potential for New Zealand.

The five-door Rukus will enter the Australian market in May/June, where it has been tagged by Toyota Australia marketing manager Scott Thompson as an "acquired taste - a bit like Vegemite."

"Rukus is designed to be different - it is not for everyone," Thompson told Australian website GoAuto.

Toyota NZ isn't saying anything about the Rukus. It is understood its executives looked at the car but shelved plans to follow Australia's mid-year move. It could, of course, land here later - as a rival to the Kia Soul, for example.

The Rukus is sold in Japan as the Toyota bB, and re-badged in the US as a Scion xB, a cult-car among modifiers Stateside.

Said Thompson: "This is a car that's designed to be different, with a boxy shape that has become iconic. Potential customers have told us they want this style of car. We've listened and we're responding.

"It will be loaded with great standard features, but we expect many owners to express their individuality by making their car stand out from the pack.

"That might involve wild paint jobs, funky wheels or other ideas, limited only by the imagination of owners - and what's legal.

"It will certainly stir up the [Australian] small-car market - creating a 'ruckus', if you will."