United Traders Syndicate (UTS), the authorised dealer of Toyota, recently launched its all-new compact SUV, Raize, in Nepal. The Raize is the most affordable and smallest SUV in Toyota’s lineup for Nepal. Toyota has launched the car in just one variant with an option of automatic and manual transmission. The compact SUV is available at a starting price of Rs 66,00,000 for the manual and Rs 72,50,000 for the automatic transmission. You can also order the Raize with 1.0L Turbocharged engine for which the starting price is Rs 82,00,000. We were able to get our hands on the 1.2L Automatic Transmission variant of the SUV. So, here is our take on the vehicle.
Exterior
As soon as you look at the new Toyota Raize, the car looks quite bold and smart. The squared-up style with angular cuts and creases gives it a bold appearance. The front of the car is the busiest with lots of sharp lines and cuts. The sweepback headlamps and the upside down ‘L’ shaped muscular design grabs your attention and make it look aggressive and sporty. The blacked-out trapezoidal front grille adds up to the sportiness of the SUV. Although you get parking sensors on the front of the car, the car is not provided with DRLs and fog lamps. However, you can always install it later. Being a SUV, the Raize gets thick black plastic cladding around the car which is there not just for aesthetic purposes but also to protect the paint while off-roading. There is not much going on the sides. The minimal lines and creases on the sides provide the vehicle a clean and smart side profile. A bit of chrome accent and diamond cut alloy wheel could add premiumness to the vehicle. Like the front, the rear also looks quite busy. The black plastic housing for the parking sensors retains the ‘L’ shaped design element from the front and trapezoidal cut out on the lower part of the bumper is also carried out from the front. The most unique design element on the rear of the Raize is the thick black plastic lining across the boot.Interior and Features
As soon as you get into the SUV, you are welcomed by a neatly laid out cabin. The blackout interior with a bit of silver accents looks simple yet smart. The silver surround on the AC vents carries the trapezoidal shape from the exterior. Right in the middle of the dashboard you will find a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with USB and Bluetooth. On the lower half of the dash, you will find manual controls for the fan and AC. Right below that you will find a USB port and 12V power socket. On the driver’s side, you will find steering mounted audio controls and an analogue instrument cluster with a small digital driver’s display which I think looks a bit dated. You will find plenty of storage compartments inside the cabin making it very practical. Adding to the practicality is the 369L boot space and 60:40 folding and reclining rear seats. Talking about the seats, materials used are of high-quality fabric and the well cushioned seat gives proper support to your back. You can find your perfect driving position thanks to the six-way adjustable driver seat. The wide opening rear doors make it effortless to get into the seat. The seat itself is quite comfortable and you will find ample head, knee and shoulder space. However, the rear occupants don’t get AC vent and charging port. Other features that the car misses out on are wireless charging pad, automatic climate control and push start/stop button.Performance and Safety
The best thing about the new Toyota Raize is its driving quality. The naturally aspirated 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine feels very refined and smooth. Engine noise and vibrations are very less even at higher RPM. The 1198cc engine chunks out a maximum power of 87hp and 113 Nm of torque which is more than adequate for city drive and occasional long drive. The torque kicks in at around 2000 RPM. Matted to the 1.2L engine is the CVT transmission which is responsive, and the gear shifts are smooth and unnoticeable. According to Toyota, the SUV can go to a top speed of 160 km/h. The vehicle has a soft suspension setup and relatively higher 200mm ground clearance, so it deals with the ups and downs of the road rather well, and you will barely notice them. You will experience a bit of body roll while going through a corner at higher speeds. The steering feels relaxing as it is well adapted for city and highway cruising. On the safety side, the car is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Back Monitor, Parking Sensors, Reverse Camera and two front airbags.Verdict
The newest and smallest offering, the Raize is also the most affordable SUV from Toyota. With the much growing demand for compact SUVs and Toyota’s reputation for quality and durability, the Raize can be a great option for those who are looking for a reliable, comfortable and refined family SUV. READ ALSO:
Published Date: February 17, 2022, 12:00 am
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