Toyota Raize : Over the recent years the compact SUV segment has exploded, and Toyota, whose reputation is built of practical, reliable cars, has brought out the Raize to add a more compact SUV to this array of feature-laden and efficient vehicles.
Proving a hit in markets such as Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Toyota Raize has been designed to offer those who are looking for SUV styling, city-friendly dimensions and affordable liftback-like efficiency in the one vehicle – all without ditching Toyota’s peerless build quality.
For those who are eyeing something similar to the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet or Maruti Brezza, the Raize comes as a breath of fresh air, combining the Japanese carmaker’s global design language with modern tech and day-to-day practicality.
Toyota Raize Urban Styling with SUV DNA
But the Raize isn’t shy about its looks, despite its small size. That attitude is present in an upright silhouette, bold lines and large grille that prove it’s a proper SUV.
The angular wheel arches, pseudo skid plates with LED headlamps are all part of the rugged appeal, while diamond-cut alloys and contrast roof options give an urban-chic feel, thanks to more contemporary trim options and standard colour packages.
It looks aggressive from the front, yet the rear design remains clean and modern. Thanks to its proportional balance, the Raize looks well-upholstered for urban traffic and parking spaces, not too small or too big.
Efficient daily commuter powertrain
Internationally, the Toyota Raize comes with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, churning out 98 bhp and 140 Nm of peak torque. The same is mated to a variety of 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions, depending on the market.
This engine is tiny in specs, but the turbocharger more than makes up for it, lending the car snappy acceleration and a silky feeling of performance, particularly at low and mid RPMs.
The body is very cheap resulting in high fuel economy and better city manuverability. Such an engine could be well received by the Indian drivers who enjoy the combination of fuel efficiency and performance while driving in the city.
Average mileage would be some 18–20 kmpl, on the higher side being one of the more fuel efficient turbo-petrol options you can buy.
Intelligent, Comfortable Cabin Design
The front of the Toyota Raize also offers a fairly spacious interior for a vehicle in this segment. With some clever packaging and a tall roofline, the cabin can provide plenty of headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers.
The dashboard design itself feels modern and utilitarian, with soft-touch materials where it matters, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display mounted above the console is a nice focal point.
The Raize features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, auto climate control, keyless entry with push start and multi-function steering wheel. The 368-ish–litre boot is similarly not to be sneezed at, and plenty big enough for everyday motoring, weekend trips, or trips to the symphony.
Safety and Build
Toyota has not skimped on safety. The Raize has a total of six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with parking camera, traction control, and vehicle stability assist. More luxurious trims overseas even provide lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and pre-collision safety systems.
Whether some of these systems make their way to the Indian model still remains to be seen, However, we feel at least the basic structure and safety philosophy is highly appreciable Prosecution: N/A.
Build quality is solid. The doors shut with a satisfying thud, and the platform —hash developed in concert with Daihatsu— feels planted even at highway speeds.
Pros:
Compact yet rugged SUV design
Petrol turbo fast engine, good fuel mileage
Equipped with all the latest in digital and tech
Better ground clearance for tough Indian roads.
The legendary Toyota dependability and value footnotes_placeholder2 durability and low cost to maintain
Cons:
For a few high-mileage users, still no diesel offering.
Turbo delay may be felt at extremely low rpm levels
May not be for performance hungry drivers.
Some regions do not get it regularly enough
Indian version might not get ADAS features
Toyota Raize Final Thoughts
The Toyota Raize combines compact SUV looks with urban sensibilities and Toyota’s legendary dependability in a car that’s perfectly designed for city folks and first-time SUV owners.
It’s not trying to be an off-roader, nor a highway cruiser — but as an urban vehicle for everyday use that’s good-looking, reliable in its performance, and wants to keep the bills down, the Raize can hold its own.
Should Toyota launch the Raize in India with an aggressive price tag and locally sourced features, it would not only manage to ruffle some feathers in the compact SUV space but also act as a rather intelligent alternative to the usual suspects.