SNEAK PEEK: TOYOTA RAIZE

TOYOTA TO LAUNCH NEW SUBCOMPACT SUV

Toyota plans to “Raize” its sales to new heights with this upcoming subcompact SUV. The Raize will be less than four meters in length, while still carrying available 17-inch tires, 369-liter luggage capacity, and flexible seating. The top-specced Raize will be powered by a 1.0-liter turbo engine with the torque of a conventional 1.5-liter, paired with a CVT.

Raize is expected to measure just 3.995 m and 1.695 m, ideal for parking in tight spaces and zipping through the city. The Raize’s cabin will have multiple storage cubbies throughout, and the rear seats can be folded to increase the cargo area.

The turbo engine and CVT combination is a first for Toyota. The CVT adds split gears to the existing CVT belt drives. It can use both belt and gear drives for better efficiency. Active safety features include crash-avoidance braking that’s capable of detecting pedestrians and vehicles.

Raize received a five-star rating in collision safety as it topped the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP) safety performance assessment, thanks to its collision safety body and occupant restraint system.

The new Raize is produced by Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu on a new platform that will be shared by the two brands. Called the Daihatsu New Global Architecture, the new platform aims for a higher level of driving performance, refinement, and safety. The Raize reportedly has a lightweight and rigid body, and suspension that’s optimized for handling stability and ride comfort.

The Raize model name is indeed a Japanese-English combination of the words “rise” and “raise.” Toyota’s new car is aimed for those with an active and busy lifestyle. The Raize is meant to be a vehicle that’s both useful and “youthful”—perhaps even for the Gen-X and baby boomer customers.

Prices for the Raize, expected to be launched first week of February, start at P692,000 for the base 1.2 liter E manual with the 1 liter turbo said to be sold for P960,000.