Toyota Raize: The Toyota Raize is the key model for Japanese car maker’s aggressive move in one of the most competitive segments in the industry: sub-compact SUV.
Initially launched in Japan in 2019, this sub-4-meter compact crossover has slowly been expanding its geographical reach, with India being one of the its markets expected for 2025.
The Raize epitomizes Toyota’s way of making cars that are both good for the city, and that also have SUV-like styling cues, with the to-be-expected reliability.
Toyota Raize: Philosophy of Design: The Urban Tool
It has a design language that marries small dimensions and rugged SUV look well. The front end looks all contemporary Toyota, which isn’t a bad thing, with the oversized trapezoid grille (both with and without the large reverse-crescent honeycomb/angry-bird vents),
slim LED headlamps and wing-shaped fog lamp housing that provides a perception of width.
A character line sculpted into the hood gives the small footprint a dash of visual muscle.
In profile, the Raize shows its crossover duds with plastic cladding around the wheelarches, roof rails, and a gently sloping roofline that still allows enough headroom for rear occupants.
The unique C-pillar design makes the roof look like it’s floating and there are angular tail lights linked by a reflective strip that stretches across the tailgate.
The four-metre-long Raize may have compact dimensions, but presenting it in the right balance of proportions and design elements makes it look a size bigger than what it actually is, yet not at the expense of manoeuvrability through urban streets.
Powertrain Options
Internationally, the Raize comes with several engine options depending upon the region. In most markets, the base power plant is an 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-three with around 98hp (70kW) and 140Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque, offered with a six-speed manual or a CVT.
Some are even available with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine for the cheaper models, while some get a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain that should give even better frugality without sacrificing performance.
Powertrain and performance The hybrid pairs a petrol engine with a small battery pack and an electric motor, so you get smooth power delivery as well as impressive fuel economy especially in town.
It’s also FWD on the vast majority of models, though you have the option in some markets for an AWD driveline, which will give you better grip on the rough stuff and sets it apart from many rivals.
Platform Efficiency
Based on Toyota’s Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA), itself a derivative of the very effective TNGA platform, the Raize features the new-fangled engineering of packaging: ensuring interior roominess while maximizing rigidity and crash performance.
Despite the car’s modest dimensions, this layout is an excellent compromise of ride comfort, handling stability and noise insulation.
Interior Experience
Step inside and the Raize has a deceptively spacious cabin from its outside size. The dashboard has a nice, neat, horizontal design with a freestanding touchscreen infotainment system meaning that it’s easy to see and use.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support are provided via the interface, but physical controls for climate functions keep operation intuitive without requiring the driver to wade through touchscreen menus.
Analog gauges are blended with a multi-information display in the instrument cluster on regular models, but stepping up gains a full-digital driver’s display that offers even more details and can be customized.
Quality of materials is much as you might expect at the Raize’s price point, too, with hardier plastics covering most surfaces though soft-touch products appear at the critical touchpoints.
Stitching and color highlights punctuate the upholstery design also without making sacrifices to the functional, durable and low-maintenance theme one would expect as part-pleather upholstery in an entry-level SUV.
Seating comfort is enhanced by the well-shaped front seats, which provides good lateral support and the bench rear seats, which is good enough to get two three people comfortably, there is sufficient headroom despite the small size.
The 369L luggage volume is a usable space and can be made bigger by the 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
Technology Integration
Equipment highlights in the Raize feature contemporary technology inclusions such as keyless entry and start, auto air conditioning, smartphone wireless charging pad, and a full complement of active safety systems enveloped in Toyota Safety Sense.
These features range from pre-collision warning, lane departure alert, automatic high beam, to Adaptive Cruise Control among others, depending on market and grade.
Market Positioning
The Raize is a critical cog in Toyota’s international portfolio, positioned as an access point to the brand’s SUV line-up without directly competing (at least negatively) with the more spacious RAV4 and C-HR.
Its sub-4-mt length is a direct aim at markets that offer tax advantages to vehicles in that segment — India is the largest market here, which means it will take on established players such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet.
Toyota Raize:
The Toyota Raize is the latest example of the global shift towards compact crossovers that mix SUV styling with urban utility.
Utilizing the engineering capabilities and quality control processes that has made Toyota famous across the globe, the Raize is an attractive proposition that combines style, technology and usability – all while ensuring that rugged dependability remains at the heart of the brand.
When parking spaces are at a premium and urban environments become more crowded, cars such as the Raize make much more sense for those who demand a higher vehicle seating position and SUV styling, without the size disadvantages.Retry