Toyota Raize: Raizing The Bar Or Sliding Under?

Many have regarded Toyota as worthy of top position in the pedestal of automotive supremacy in Nepal. And it’s pretty difficult to completely refute these claims too. Have you seen what drives the nation? Fortuners for the top dogs in the police force, Land Cruisers for politicians and bureaucrats, the Hilux for the contractors, and the Hiace microvans for us commoners. The Toyota name has reached far and wide, and its longevity is unparalleled 25-year-old models still happily plying our roads.However, when it comes to compact SUVs and hatchbacks, Toyota isn’t the first name that comes to mind. There always seems to be a more sensible option for people who are looking for their first car. This isn’t purely because of a lack of desire or interest towards the brand, but more due to the price factor. For the majority of car buyers, affordability is the pivotal point in purchasing vehicles, and in this respect, Toyota often falls short.This is where the Toyota Raize comes into the picture. On paper, the Toyota Raize comes closest to the definition of an “affordable” Toyota. We use the word “affordable” loosely here because the price starts at Rs. 66 Lakh and tops out at Rs. 86 Lakh.Nevertheless, Toyota has entered the fray as the newest compact SUV. The segment has served as stomping grounds of the likes of Creta, Seltos, Venue, Kushaq, and Taigun, which means the Raize has its work cut out for it. The question is, how far will Toyota’s reputation propel the Raize? Or will the standard set by the brand encourage an increased level of scrutiny from buyers? Here is our take on the newly launched Toyota Raize.Styling and DesignBased on a platform built by Daihatsu for the Rocky, the Toyota Raize has a squared-up body style, which will appeal to people who appreciate a boxy SUV style structure. It receives distinctively sharp design cues. The LED headlamps are well designed with integrated sequential turn signals. The car gets halogen front fog lamps. The Toyota badge sits in the center of a slim black grille and a trapezoidal lower grille is integrated into the lower bumper. Additional muscle to the front fascia comes in the form of character lines on the bonnet.On the profile, the slim black claddings add to the sporty appeal in addition to the sharp bodylines that add character. Other noticeable features on the profile are the beautiful alloy wheels and blacked-out A and C pillars. The roof slopes slightly as you reach the tail end of the Toyota Raize to accentuate the sporty appearance.The rear gets more design elements that provide a modern touch to the classic boxy shape. The black plastic slat that runs between the LED tail lamps houses the Toyota badge. We also like how the rear window extends into the profile of the car.Interior and FeaturesDespite the compact size, the Toyota Raize has ample space for its occupants. Settling into the driver’s seat and finding the perfect driving position can be done via the tilt-adjustable steering wheel.Over on the rear, there's surprisingly ample headroom and legroom for all three passengers, and each passenger gets their own adjustable headrests. There's enough back and thigh support to keep all passengers comfortable even on long journeys.The dashboard of the Raize is a bit of a mixed bag. The dash is finished in black with silver and red accents around the vents and beside the central console. The dashboard is angled towards the driver for easier use while on the road. Although devoid of any soft-touch materials the hard plastic used on the dash does feel sturdy. The edgy dashboard design is complimented with little nooks on each side of the steering wheel and the touchscreen. These do look cool but will be a chore to clean once it starts to trap all the dirt. You get elements that add to the practicality of the cabin, like the driver and front passenger getting their very own cup holders.The variant we drove also featured a large 7-inch display. The touchscreen provides Bluetooth integration for convenient audio and video playback. The Toyota Raize does not feature a sunroof, even as an option, which might be a bummer.Apart from that, the car comes littered with storage spaces, starting with individual cup holders for both driver and co-driver. You get a tray in front of the gear lever, a slot for your mobile next to the handbrake, a decently sized glove box, a spacious storage box under the central armrest, and many more. Completing the storage space is a large 369-litre boot.The interior of the Raize isn't doing anything exceptional, it gets all the cabin basics correct but doesn't go above and beyond in giving you a plush and amazing cabin.PerformanceWe'll just say it right out, the Raize is one of the best driving cars in its segment. Whatever points the Raize loses in the interior, it more than makes up for in the performance department.The variant we drove came with a 1.2 liter 3-cylinder petrol engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The car makes 87 HP and 113 Nm of torque, this doesn't sound like a lot for "one of the best driving cars in its segment" but it’s how that power is used.Starting the car, you don't hear that constant 3-cylinder thrumming present on most cars. The Raize is silent and pulls away clean as if there's an extra cylinder hiding under the hood somewhere. Another great part is how the Raize picks up speed, there's a wide torque band and the car builds power all the way from bottom to the top. Highs and lows aside, the Raize feels lively even in the mid-range where an engine like this tends to run out of steam.The gearbox on this car is another aspect that impressed us. This CVT unit plays through the correct gears as and when needed and it does so seamlessly. There were 5 of us inside the car going up the twisties towards Nagarkot with the AC on, and the car didn't break a sweat. More importantly, it knew when to cycle between first, second, and third gears leading to an uphill drive free of aggressive upshifts and abrupt downshifts. It was one of the smoothest experiences.The suspension and steering wheel have also received proper tuning, both loosen up in the suburban roads providing easy maneuvering which is also helped by front proximity sensors that beep whenever anything is close to the front bumper and a 200mm ground clearance. And on the highway speeds the steering wheel and the suspension firm up, making for a fun and precise driving experience.In terms of safety, the Raize gets 2 airbags, ABS, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-start Assist, ISOFIX points, and more.VerdictToyota is always put in high regard in Nepal, they’ve earned it. This has, over the years, raised an invisible bar as to what people expect from Toyota, to what a Toyota should be.  The Raize in that regard has lived up to the Toyota name. The Raize is made in such a way that it feels planted, robust and confident like a Toyota should. There's a sense of reliability while you get into it and take it for a drive. The drive itself is fun and confidence-inspiring, making up for the fact that the cabin of the Raize isn't anything to write home about.The Raize definitely… raises the bar in terms of its performance and for anyone looking for a car in this segment, we recommend giving it a test drive.