Toyota's Small SUV, the 2021 Raize is Being Tested in ASEAN

Last year, Toyota launched their own 5-seater sub-compact SUV, the Raize. At the time, the Japanese carmaker only hinted at the possibility of it being offered to global markets such as the ASEAN region. Well, around 12 months later, we have our first definitive proof.

Caught by Indonesian website Autonetmagz, this heavily camouflaged SUV is said to be the Toyota Raize, or at least its platform mate, the Daihatsu Rocky being tested on public roads. Like the Avanza, Wigo, and Rush, the Raize is produced by Toyota affiliate Daihatsu. Unlike those vehicles though, Toyota’s has had some genuine inputs with regards to its platform (it’s not a simple badge job).

The Raize rides on Daihatsu’s next-generation platform called DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture), and takes into account all aspects of the car from platform to powertrain to realize heightened levels of driving performance, safety, and peace of mind. More importantly, it merges product development between Toyota and Daihatsu. It’s reported that this DNGA platform might underpin the all-new Avanza and Rush.

Going back to the Raize, it measures an ultra-compact 3,955-mm long and 1,695-mm wide, putting it squarely in the same category as the Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, and possibly, the Nissan Magnite. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.0-liter engine—1KR-VET producing 98 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque mated to a CVT. And while most of the time, we don’t get the best engines out there, Toyota/Daihatsu has confirmed that this engine is being road tested for an eventual roll out in the region.

In Japan, the Raize has proven itself to be quite popular, overtaking the Corolla as Toyota’s best-selling vehicle for the first six months of 2020.

Since the Philippines relies on Indonesia for our supply of Avanza, Rush, Wigo, and even Fortuner, it’s pretty obvious that Toyota Motor Philippines will grab this opportunity to plug a very obvious gap in their line-up. After all, their strategy seems to be one of offering at least three vehicles per category at different price points: Vios, Corolla Altis, Camry (Sedan); Avanza, Innova, Hiace, Alphard (MPV); Rush, Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser (7-seater SUV). The gap is found in both their 5-seater SUV line-up (Corolla Cross, RAV4), and Hatchback (Wigo, Yaris). The Raize could easily slot in both those categories.

Source: Car Guides PH