Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes. And while the Toyota Raize 2022 may be small, early reviews indeed confirm that it's good. This charming little compact SUV is just right for city adventures. But it has more than enough capability to head out into the Great Outdoors on a weekend adventure or two. It's a good all-rounder, with plenty of appeal that belies its diminutive size compared to bigger SUVs such as the Land Cruiser or the Toyota RAV4.
A striking appearance
The Toyota Raize is a seriously desirable little SUV. A strong and bold, slightly jaunty look gives it real road presence. The angular bumper corners and flared wheel arches give it a solid, wide appearance that sits nicely on the road. Those angles don't go too overboard, though, and while the Raize is a powerful-looking car, it isn't overly aggressive in its stance. The light clusters sit easily within the flow of the bodywork, and the honeycomb grill works beautifully with the overall look.
A feisty powertrain
Underneath the bonnet sits a feisty little engine that’s capable of tackling the daily commute but has the legs for longer journeys on the highway, too. There’s a choice of two engines – a 1-litre, 3-cylinder turbo that puts out 98hp and 140Nm of torque, or a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder option with 12V DOHC Dual-VVT engine set-up. The critical thing with the Toyota Raize is that despite the compact engine sizes, the lightweight construction produces a greater power/weight ratio. So you'll find that the Raize is surprisingly quick out of the blocks.
Lots of extra features
As well as excellent performance and stylish good looks, the new Toyota Raize 2022 manages to pack in plenty of extra features that make the cabin a great place to be and the driver experience one to remember for all the right reasons. From smart Keyless Entry to Toyota's TFT Multi-Information Display system, Vehicle Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Warning, the Raize is full of features that make driving safer, more comfortable and more pleasurable. A spacious cabin includes Seat Air-Conditioner for the driver and passenger. Both models have Apple Carplay & Android Auto compatibility.
What’s it like to drive?
The two versions of the new Toyota Raize SUV feel sporty and agile, with electronic power steering that makes them incredibly easy to manoeuvre. Around town, the compact nature of the Raize allows it to fit in with the flow of the traffic without feeling too cumbersome or bulky. Get the car out on the open road, and it has the consistency and power to keep a steady speed all day long. Take it off-road, and it can tackle reasonably challenging terrain and tracks.
The usual body-roll you tend to get with taller SUVs is delightfully absent on the Raize, and it feels nimble and planted around corners. This excellent handling makes it perfect for everything from nipping through the city streets to heading down a trail through the desert.
The Toyota Raize has taken all the best bits of the crossover/compact SUV genre and crammed them into one small but mighty car. If you'd like to experience the Raize for yourself, book a test drive with Toyota UAE today.