Toyota Raize Review: Japanese Car Giant’s Upcoming Maruti Brezza Rival?

by Kshitij Rawat | 31/10/2019
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Toyota will bring a sub-4-metre SUV to India, to compete with cars like Maruti Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Venue. Read all about it in our Toyota Raize review

Every car manufacturer wants to find a winning formula. Maruti Suzuki seems to have found it. Barring a few occasional hiccups, the company has enjoyed major success in India. Hyundai has also found one, going by the extreme popularity of its cars in our country. Now, it seems Toyota has also found one for itself, one which goes in an extremely different direction than the others. The latest example is an India-bound sub-compact SUV about which we'll read in this Toyota Raize review. 

Toyota Raize leaked images

If you follow international motor shows, you would notice that the Toyota Raise looks suspiciously close to the Daihatsu Rocky. The Rocky was recently revealed at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show, on 23rd October 2019. This isn’t the first time Toyota has “borrowed” a car from other manufacturers. Toyota 86, which is one of the best budget sportscars available internationally, was developed by Subaru while the development bills were mostly paid by Toyota. The new Toyota Supra, which was a highly anticipated car due to its previous legacy, is essentially a redesigned and reworked BMW Z4.

Toyota Raize front view

In India, we saw Toyota use the same strategy with the best-selling premium hatchback, Maruti Baleno. Toyota sells the Baleno with a new name, Glanza, and with surprising results as well! The success of the Glanza has even prompted Toyota to soon introduce a new MPV based on the Maruti XL6, one which will sit below the Innova in Toyota’s India line-up. Then, it seems, the re-badged Daihatsu Rocky must be a good idea, right? Let’s go through all the details we have available on the upcoming Toyota Raise.

Also Read: 2019 Toyota Rush – A Run-through Review

Toyota Raize Review - Exterior

2020 Toyota Raize Spied without Camouflage

As mentioned above, the Raize is based on the Daihatsu Rocky. From the leaked pictures, we can confirm that the little Toyota SUV will only feature minor cosmetic changes over the Daihatsu design. The biggest difference seems to be on the front-end. While the headlamp design is the same, the front-grille is slightly altered. Where the Daihatsu has a larger grille, the Toyota has a smaller, vertically-split grille. Fog lamp and indicator housing also sports a slightly different design, which isn’t a very differentiating detail.

2020 Toyota Raize front end

Other noticeable changes to the car are the redesigned 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The rest of the car, seems unchanged, with identical silhouette, pillar designs (A, B, and C-pillars), and tail lamps. The SUV is based on the Daihatsu New Generation Architecture, or DNGA platform. This platform is basically the low-cost version of the Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, but specially targetted towards emerging markets like our own.

Toyota Raize Exterior Dimensions
 Length  3,995 mm
 Width  1,695 mm
 Height  1,620 mm
 Wheelbase  2,525 mm

Also Read: Toyota Vellfire Bookings Opened At Select Dealerships

Toyota Raize Review – Interior

In terms of interior, both the Raize and Rocky will be identical. The Rocky gets a neatly designed dashboard with faux brushed-aluminium inserts around the AC vents, steering wheel, door handles, and centre console. The car also features a big touchscreen infotainment system, probably a 7- or 8-inch unit. The infotainment is angles towards the driver, which improves the ergonomics of the car. Lastly, the instrument console is all digital, which is a nice premium touch. We can’t comment on the space inside until we test drive the vehicle, so watch this space for an in-depth Toyota Raize review

Toyota Raize Interior
Seating Capacity 5 people
Boot Space 369 litres

Also Read: 2020 Toyota Yaris Unveiled With All-New Exterior

Toyota Raize Review - Engine Specs

International version of the New Toyota Raize SUV is expected to sport the same engine as the Daihatsu Rocky, which is a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It produces a peak power of 99 PS at 6,000 rpm, and a peak torque of 140 Nm of torque at 2,400-4,000 rpm. There will be two choices for the transmission, a CVT automatic and a six-speed manual. The former will be available when the car would be launched, while the latter would be added to the line-up later.

Daihatsu Rocky brochure

For India, however, we expect Toyota to offer different engine and transmission options. Our first guess would be the 1.5-litre petrol/mild-hybrid paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. A 5-speed AMT or a CVT could be available as an optional choice. The same powertrain powers the Maruti Ciaz, and will be available on the upcoming Vitara Brezza facelift. A second option would be the 1.2-litre engine which powers Maruti Baleno and Toyota Glanza. That engine would be underpowered in an SUV though, so it seems unlikely.

Also Read: Toyota eQ EV Spotted At TKM’s Bidadi Plant In Karnataka

As for the dimensions, Toyota hasn’t given any number. That said, we know the numbers for the Daihatsu Rocky. The length is 3,995 mm, width is 1,620 mm, and the height 1,695. Wheelbase of the car is 2,525 mm.

Toyota Raize Review – Expected Launch Date and Price

2020 Toyota Raize front design

In this part of our Toyota Raize review, we'll discuss the launch date and expected price of the new model. Toyota was earlier expected to launch a sub-4-metre SUV in India based on the upcoming Brezza facelift sometime in 2022. Now though, it seems like the Rocky would be a better suited choice for the job. If Toyota manages to set up local manufacturing for the SUV in India, the company will be able to price it competitively. That, however, would require a good projected sales figure. Second option would be to take the CKD route, importing some parts, locally sourcing others, and setting up a local assembly. This would be slightly pricier, but it is the more likely option of the two.

Daihatsu Rocky debut

Currently, the two leaders of this segment, Maruti Brezza and Hyundai Venue, have a price between Rs. 7.84 - 10.65 lakh and Rs. 6.5 - 11.1 lakh respectively (ex-showroom, new Delhi). Toyota Raize should retail for Rs. 7.5 - 13.0 lakh (ex-showroom, new Delhi), which should put in an extremely position. Stay tuned to IndianAuto for a detailed Toyota Raize review from the media test drive. 

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