It’s not always easy to find a vehicle that delivers the space and lifestyle benefits of an SUV with the compact size needed to zip through busy city streets, drive down tight laneways or find a parking space close to the shopfront. One vehicle that can bridge this gap is the Toyota Raize, a sub-four-metre crossover that combines a compact footprint, higher ride height, bold exterior design and a spacious five-seater interior. First revealed in November 2019 and given a mid-life update in November 2024, the Raize has appeal among drivers and families who want a can-do vehicle that isn’t cramped to park or drive in everyday life yet is still easy to get out of the city.
As well as being styled differently, the Toyota Raize shares its Daihatsu DNGA platform and Daihatsu Rocky engineering. Both are built on the same footprint with the same safety structure and the same powertrain options, though Toyota does give the Raize a new grille, bumper and lighting details. You can buy the Toyota Raize with the X, G and Z grades, and with a normally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol, turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol or 1.2-litre e-SMART Hybrid powertrain three different grades, and three different powertrains, too. The choices show how the different grades, and engine types, each have a different emphasis on affordability, comfortable city driving, fuel economy or four-wheel drive, but here’s how the different options compares on practicality, equipment and value.
1. Compact Dimensions and Practical SUV Design
The Toyota Raize comes in at 3995mm length and 1695mm wide for a city car that can fit into tight parking spots and manage in tight spots. However, with its monocoque construction, about 200mm of ground clearance, wheel arches and upright seating position, the appearance and driving position makes it more like a classic crossover. Which, with the higher seating position, can also make it easier for you to see other traffic.
Toyota Raize’s Everyday Practicality:
- Compact dimensions simplify city parking
- Approximately 200 mm ground clearance
- Upright seating improves outward visibility
- Five-seat cabin suits small families
- Practical cargo space supports weekend trips
Inside, the Raize focuses on making daily journeys comfortable and straightforward. Its broad glass areas and elevated seating position improve visibility at busy intersections, while the cabin provides useful headroom, legroom and passenger access for a vehicle of this size. Higher grades also offer touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adding useful connectivity for commuting and longer drives.
2. Toyota Raize X, G and Z Grades Explained
The Toyota Raize is manufactured in Japan and is offered with three principal grades: X; G and Z. Each grade is aimed at different levels of driver and budget expectations and if you intend buying this small SUV, the specifications of the various grades could influence the version you settle on; here you get a brief overview of each grade. The Toyota Raize X grade is priced at ¥1,717,000 making it the most affordable version of this small SUV with basic practical features.
Key Differences Between Raize Grades:
- X grade prioritises affordability
- G grade balances equipment and value
- Z grade offers premium exterior styling
- Hybrid power begins with G
- Advanced assistance features equip Z
The G grade adds equipment and styling enhancements while introducing the e-SMART Hybrid option alongside petrol powertrains. At the top of the range, the Z grade features 17-inch cut-and-polished wheels with black accents, full LED headlamps and sequential turn signals. It also includes all-speed-following Adaptive Cruise Control and Smart Panorama Parking Assist as standard. Buyers in Hokkaido should account for slightly higher regional pricing associated with cold-weather specifications.
3. The 1.2L Naturally Aspirated Petrol Engine
The petrol engine version of the Raize range is a reasonably simple and user-friendly, petrol-powered powertrain. Its complexity is limited by the fact that the engine is a reasonably basic setup, so if you’re looking for an easy to operate, compact SUV on your regular shopping trips it’s something to consider while, at the same time, it doesn’t come with the extra complexity of the more advanced powertrain set ups. It’s available with the X, G and Z grades and is only available with 2WD set up with petrol power.
Why Choose the 1.2L Petrol Raize:
- Available across all three grades
- Front-wheel drive configuration only
- No turbocharger adds mechanical simplicity
- Suits routine urban commuting
- Offers an accessible entry point
If you mainly use it for wandering around towns and cities, or you do a lot of town driving or fairly short local trips, the 1.2-litre petrol Raize is a good bet. It enables you to enjoy the benefits of the traditional SUV shape and size without spending money on the hybrid powertrain or 4WD that might go to waste on typical usage. It won’t give you the extra grip of the turbocharged 4WD or the electric-drive functionality of the hybrid, but if you’re concerned with relatively low purchase costs and travelling around town, this is the route to choose.
4. The 1.0L Turbo Engine and Four-Wheel Drive
For more grip and better performance from your Toyota Raize you might want to opt for the 1.0-litre 1KR-VET turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine. That’s because it’s the only version of the Raize on sale that’s offered with four-wheel drive (4WD). If you often face tricky driving conditions such as wet, icy or uneven roads, the RAIZE 4WD version is a sensible choice this uses Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Control 4WD setup, which allocates additional drive power to the wheels that need it most to help you stay in control.
Toyota Raize Turbo Powertrain Features:
- Turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine
- Dynamic Torque Control four-wheel drive
- Four-wheel drive requires the turbo engine
- Split-gear D-CVT transmission technology
- Designed for varied driving conditions
All turbo models are equipped with a D-CVT transmission which features belt drive at slower speeds and a direct drive gear at higher speeds. This has been designed to give strong acceleration and response when accelerating from rest, while providing comfortable, economic motoring at higher speeds. So, if most of your trips take place on more slippery roads, the turbo 4WD Raize gives you the benefit of extra grip compared to the front-wheel-drive petrol and e-SMART Hybrid versions (which are only available with two-wheel drive).
5. The 1.2L e-SMART Hybrid Powertrain
An alternative powertrain option to the petrol engines was added to Raize in November 2021 in the form of the 1.2-litre e-SMART Hybrid. While this isn’t a ‘normal’ hybrid system that employs the petrol engine and electric motor to move the car, the e-SMART unit drives as a series hybrid. This means that the petrol engine drives a generator to produce electricity and powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels so it’s an electric-drive experience, but you don’t have to plug in.
What Makes the e-SMART Hybrid Different:
- Introduced in November 2021
- Petrol engine generates electricity
- Electric motor drives the front wheels
- Available exclusively with two-wheel drive
- Offered on G and Z grades
If you often spend plenty of your time crawling in slow-moving traffic or weaving around town, this version’s gentle-drive and electric-motor punch can make it a more pleasurable experience. (Along the way, you might also save on fuel, although how much you’ll save will depend on where and how much you drive.) You can have this powertrain with the mid-range G version or the higher range Z version, but this version doesn’t offer four-wheel drive. If you’re more interested in a smoother, quieter city-center experience (and a bit more cash in your pocket) than needing serious grip in the wet, then this could be the raize to get.
6. Toyota Raize Versus Daihatsu Rocky
The Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky are more or less one and the same car in a lot of ways, and in terms of the principle of their engineering. Sharing the same Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, they share the same fundamental measurements, powertrain choices, transaxles and standard safety features. So from an everyday drive point of view, everything about them and how they behave is much the same, even if they are sold under separate branding.
Important Differences Between the Two Models:
- Shared DNGA platform and engineering
- Identical core powertrain options
- Toyota features distinctive front-end styling
- Grade names differ between brands
- Rocky uses L, X and Premium G
The most obvious visual differences are down to exterior styling and the names for the respective grades. The Toyota Raize has an exclusive grille layout, and unique bumper contours and lighting details, while the Daihatsu Rocky has L, X and Premium G grade names rather than Toyota’s X, G and Z grades. If you are comparing imported examples of these two compact SUVs, be sure to double-check the specific model year, grade, engine and drivetrain, as well as the original specification, to ensure they are truly comparable vehicles. Even if the vehicles look similar or offer the same trim levels, they may not have the same equipment fitted.
7. Which Toyota Raize Grade Offers the Best Value?
Determining the right Toyota Raize grade will come down to budget, your choice of powertrain, and the type of equipment you desire for your daily commute. The entry-level X grade is priced from ¥1,717,000 in Japan, providing the most budget-conscious way into the Raize lineup. Moving up to the G grade adds more equipment and the e-SMART Hybrid powertrain, with the top Z grade adding enhanced exterior styling and more driver-assistance features.
Choosing the Right Grade for Your Needs:
- X suits budget-conscious buyers
- G offers balanced equipment and value
- G unlocks the hybrid powertrain
- Z adds premium styling details
- Z includes advanced parking assistance
Prioritising your initial purchase cost savings above all else The X grade is a logical entry point for the X grade if all you require is basic features for daily commutes. The G grade should be the most comprehensive package available if you are willing to pay extra for added features and hybrid capability without being limited to the entire suite of features in the flagship. For those interested in 17-inch cut and polish wheels, upgraded LED head and tail lamps, sequential turn indicators and additional driver assistance features then the Z grade may be justified in higher costing outlays.
8. Choosing Between Petrol, Hybrid and Turbo 4WD
There are three models to choose from on the Toyota Raize and each of the powertrains is designed with different end goals in mind rather than to make it more powerful as you move up the range. The 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is a pretty safe choice for simple motoring with two-wheel drive, and the 1.2 litre e-SMART Hybrid is worth some consideration if you tend to spend most of your time in traffic in the city. If four-wheel drive is a necessity, then keep your eye out for the 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine as this is the only powertrain to include four-wheel drive.
Which Raize Powertrain Should You Choose:
- 1.2L petrol suits everyday commuting
- Hybrid prioritises quiet urban driving
- Turbo engine enables four-wheel drive
- Hybrid is available in G and Z
- Four-wheel drive excludes hybrid models
Think about the type of roads you frequently drive on, your planned running costs and whether 4WD’s extra grip is essential. If you mostly navigate towns and cities, the hybrid’s quick-responding electric motor and refined performance could be what makes your daily driver more comfortable; if you’re more concerned with saving money, then the traditional petrol powertrain could be more suitable. Nevertheless, if you often encounter slippery roads or anything where a bit more grip would come in handy, then the turbocharged 4WD variant is the best option in the Raize range.
9. Toyota Raize Japanese Auction Buying Guide
When bidding on a Toyota Raize in a Japanese car auction, confirming the grade as well as the engine is essential if you’re trying to get a good deal. Many auction listings include images and the car’s wheels are the most obvious way to spot some specs such as the Z grade’s 17inch black cut-and-polished wheels but these should not be the sole concern to confirm a particular model. Double check the information against the vehicle’s paperwork before you make a bid.
Checks Before Buying an Auction Raize:
- Confirm the grade from documentation
- Check wheel design and bolt pattern
- Verify the vehicle’s chassis number
- Review the official auction sheet
- Use JPChecker to cross-check details
The buying guide suggests you look for five-hole wheels with e-SMART Hybrid models, four-hole wheels with petrol vehicles, pre-November 2021 models that predate the hybrid’s launch, and four-wheel drive models because the e-SMART Hybrid is only available with two-wheel drive. These clues can help you narrow down the search, but they should be checked against a vehicle history check. At the point of sale it is worth checking the chassis number against the published auction sheet or running through a verification service such as JPChecker to cross-reference the grade, engine, and drivetrain to protect yourself from buying a vehicle that’s not as it seems.
10. Is the Toyota Raize the Right Compact SUV for You?
The Toyota Raize is another compact car which combines a functional size, the right amount of ground clearance and a range of fuel-efficient powerplants to match your driving needs. The space and stature are ideal for city use, while the five-seater concept gives you everyday functionality for individuals, couples and small families. The three design variants begin with the low-cost option in the X, then the hybrid G version and finally the Z with the better styling and extra driving features. Thanks to Toyota’s and Daihatsu’s collaboration, both cars have a similar set of overall mechanical attributes.
Reasons to Consider the Toyota Raize:
- Compact body suits urban environments
- Five-seat layout supports small families
- Three grades cover different budgets
- Hybrid provides electric-motor driving
- Turbo 4WD offers additional traction
Whether you need four-wheel drive, the most equipment or simply prefer a style that stands out from the crowd, there’s a Raize for you and the way you drive. The most accessible Raize is the X grade with the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine, while the G hybrid will appeal to anyone who spends most of their time in the city and wants to maximize fuel efficiency. And those who prefer a bold look, plus larger wheels and even more driver assistance, should look at the Z grade. And if you’re planning to use four-wheel drive, then the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the one to go for no four-wheel drive hybrid available.
