Toyota Raize

The interior of the Toyota Raize comes with a predominantly black theme with a few silver accents thrown across the dashboard. However, the subcompact crossover also offers extensive interior styling options depending on the variant. Customers are greeted with either leather and silver ornaments for the 1.0 Turbo CVT and 1.2 G CVT trims, or a urethane and silver ornament for the 1.2. E CVT and 1.0 E MT’s steering wheel. An illuminated entry system is standard for all variants. The Toyota Raize can seat up to five occupants. Depending again on the trim, the cabin gets either leather-clad seats or fabric-covered seats. Customers also have the option of having a combination of leather and fabric for higher-end models.

​​For extra space, the rear seats also offer a split-folding feature. Moreover, it also has a tilt-adjustable steering column. Higher variants get 6-way manual adjustability for the driver's seat, while the lower models get 4-way manual adjustability instead. A 7-inch TFT digital gauge cluster is also available with the vehicle but only to its higher variants, the other models get a segmented-type gauge cluster instead. For drinks, the Raize gets pull-out cupholders in front of the A/C vents for the driver and front passenger. Both front door pockets can hold two water bottles each, along with one bottle holder for the rear doors. There are also a variety of storage options around the cabin like pockets and stuff, but the interesting one here is the pull-out tray underneath the front passenger seat which is good for shoes and the like.

Passenger & Boot space

The Raize isn’t a very large vehicle, measuring only around 4,000 mm long - one of the shortest vehicles in the segment. Similar to the Totoya Wigo, the Raize’s raised seats and relatively tall roof somehow allow a quite reasonable legroom and headroom for average-sized individuals. Just don’t expect too much personal space if you plan to fill it up with five passengers. The trunk isn’t the biggest either, with only 369-liters of space available. However, the Raize does have the advantage of 60:40 split-folding rear seats. The second-row seats fold flat too, and it’s enough to increase the available cargo space. With the second-row folded, the Raize gets more room to carry even larger cargo. The only drawback with the folded second row is the reduced passenger seating.

Comfort & Entertainment

As an entry-level crossover, you shouldn’t expect much from the Raize in terms of tech features, but that doesn’t mean that it’s stripped to bare bones. The higher Turbo and G trims come with expected features such as keyless smart entry and push-start ignition, speed-sending door locks, power windows, auto air-conditioning, and 9-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The head unit produces sound from an average-sounding six-speaker setup. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line variant comes with blind-spot monitoring and even rear cross-traffic alert. It’s not the complete package of what Toyota Safety Sense offers, but it’s enough to give occupants better peace of mind while on the road.

The all-new Toyota Raize boasts an angular SUV-like exterior design with a tall front fascia that comes with either split-type LED headlights or halogen headlights. The rear end is more akin to a traditional crossover, but the black cladding adds some ruggedness to match the front end. In addition, the two-tone black-blue color and the larger 17-inch wheels on this particular model make the crossover look more upscale. Each variant gets something a little bit different, providing a variety of options for customers. The Raize 1.2 E gets halogen headlamps with front foglights and LED taillights. The door handles are color-matched to the body although the rear only has a plain black trim. Both front fenders will have a Dual VVT-i emblem on them. The side mirrors are power-adjustable. 16-inch alloy wheels are standard, and even the spare tire is also the same design and not a space saver.

Meanwhile, The Raize 1.2 G grade steps up from the E grade by replacing the halogen headlamps with split-type LED headlamps. The door handles are chrome, and the rear garnish is now piano black. The wheels are the same 16-inch rollers as on the E. The mirrors are also of the auto fold variety, meaning when you lock the car the mirrors tuck themselves in. Also, this version gets the smart key with push-button ignition while the E grade has a classic-style key. The top of the line 1.0 Raize Turbo has the clearest differences.

For one, the Turbo has the two-tone look with a black roof to contrast with the three color options: Turquoise, Yellow, and Pearl White for an extra P5,000 on the SRP. The wheels are also larger at 17-inches with a two-tone look as well.  And just so others know this isn't naturally aspirated, Toyota replaced the Dual VVT-i emblems on the fenders for Turbo emblems.

The all-new Toyota Raize measures 4030 mm in length, 1710 mm in width, 1605 mm in height, and a ground clearance of 200 mm at its lowest point on the undercarriage. It then has a wheelbase length of 2,525mm.

While traveling at just under 100 kmph and with the revs under 2,000 rpm, the fuel consumption meter showed 20.3 kmpl. According to Toyota’s figures, the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated gasoline mill with a CVT can supposedly achieve 18.9 kmpl in mixed conditions, which hits a bit close to the figure achieved during test drives. As for the manual variant with the same powertrain, one can do 19.2 kmpl. The top-spec variant with the 1.0-liter turbo petrol and CVT can do around 17.9 kmpl. All these figures were taken under combined city and highway driving conditions.

The mechanical specs for all models are identical such as the front-wheel-drive layout. The vehicle rides on a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a torsion beam set up at the rear. Stopping power comes from ventilated discs at the front and a leading and trailing drum set up at the rear. Toyota's product planners justified this decision by citing that the vehicle is light and thus did not require a more powerful all-disc brake setup.

Most manufacturers today are ditching large displacement engines for smaller displacement turbocharged units, and the Toyota Raize is no different. The subcompact crssover’s two engine options offer a lot of power. The Raize weighs only around 1,040 kilograms so the engine’s 97 hp and 140 Nm of torque are more than enough. For city driving, the powertrain delivers more than adequately and provides power almost immediately.  The CVT also shifts smoothly and doesn’t hold the throttle at high rpm unnecessarily.

With only one passenger aboard, the Raize can get up to speed quickly, although the CVT can tend to limit this performance on longer overtakes. But for menial tasks, it can be a joy to drive. The subcompact crossover’s handling is quite notable as well. The steering wasn’t too light, though more time might be needed to test the car’s driving manners for a more in-depth impression. The same goes with riding comfort but with the short tests over cemented roads, the Toyota Raize performs on the average side. Of note, the similarly equipped turbocharged Nissan Almera produces around the same amount of power and weighs almost as much (1,090 kgs), but the Toyota Raize manages to provide a more pleasant and sporty driving experience.

The Toyota Raize is equipped with a handful of safety features. Customers should expect that the top-of-the-line Turbo variant is the model with all the goodies such as six airbags, front and rear sensors, an alarm, and a rear camera with guidelines. Standard features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist, an immobilizer, reverse sensors, and driver and passenger airbags. Higher variants gain additional side and curtain shield airbags along with a reverse camera with guidelines, an alarm, clearance, and back sonar for the front and rear, a blind spot monitor system, and a rear cross-traffic alert system. 

The all-new Toyota Raize subcompact crossover is a strong contender in the local market segment. While it could use some improvements, it’s a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, reliable, and stylish modern subcompact crossover. The Toyota Raize is here and is inviting everyone to Raize their game for the new year and for the months to come. It’s ready for adventures to play into everyone’s ambitions for the future, to be successful in business and life, and the day-to-day ‘game’ of achieving that. The Toyota Raize is the perfect platform to help anyone get to the next level.

Value for money

Toyota Raize price Philippines:

Raize 1.2 E MT - ₱746,000

Raize 1.2 E CVT - ₱816,000

Raize 1.2 G CVT - ₱906,000

Raize 1.0 Turbo CVT - ₱1,031,000

One of the things that created a significant buzz around the Toyota Raize is its affordable pricing. The crossover starts at PHP 746,000, making it a very affordable model. Aside from the small displacement engine and high ground clearance, it can seat five and carry cargo all at that price. While the top-spec 1.0 Turbo does breach the PHP 1 million mark, it is loaded with tech and features you might not be able to find in other similarly priced models.

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Read This 2022 Toyota Raize Review Before Buying