Welcome to another insightful video. Today, we’re bringing you an owner’s review of a vehicle that’s rapidly gaining popularity: the Toyota Raize. This compact SUV has captured significant attention due to several compelling factors. These include its impressive ground clearance, excellent fuel efficiency (generally), a rich set of features, and aesthetics that often give it the premium feel of driving a larger Land Cruiser or Prado.
We’re joined by Owais Bhai, the owner of a 2020 Toyota Raize Z-category. We’ll delve into his journey: why he chose the Raize, when he purchased it, his decision-making process, alternatives he considered, and any questions he had before making the purchase. Let’s find out if the Toyota Raize truly lives up to its growing reputation!
1. The Purchase Decision: Why the Raize?
Owais Bhai previously owned a 2014 Honda Vezel. His decision to upgrade was driven by a desire for a new SUV that fit within a specific budget.
- Budget-Friendly SUV: The Raize emerged as the ideal fit within his price range. This made it the most accessible SUV option at the time. He acquired the vehicle for ₹55 Lakh to ₹60 Lakh.
- Key Considerations: His primary considerations included:
- Comfort: A crucial factor for daily driving.
- Fuel Average: A significant concern for long-term ownership.
- Features: A desire for modern amenities and technologies.
- Alternatives Considered: He also considered hybrid options, but their high prices ruled them out. The Proton X70 and Kia Sportage were other SUVs he looked at. Ultimately, the Raize’s overall package and price point won out.
2. Driving Experience & Performance: A True SUV Feel
Owais Bhai describes the driving experience of the Toyota Raize as fully embodying the essence of an SUV.
- Confident Drive: He states that the car feels complete in its drive. It delivers the full SUV experience.
- Tunable Potential: A key aspect that makes him view this car as a long-term keeper is its “tunable” nature. Being a turbocharged mechanical turbo with a top-mounted intercooler, he believes owners can later upgrade to a larger turbo, engine, or intercooler. This allows for significant performance tuning.
- Comparison with Vezel: When comparing the Raize to his previous Honda Vezel, he notes that the Raize offers more comfort. However, he mentions that the Raize’s suspension is “a little bit hard,” contrasting with Honda’s typically softer suspension.
- Navigating Challenging Roads: Despite the firm suspension, the Raize’s higher ground clearance allows it to navigate challenging road conditions, like those in Karachi, with ease. “The car gets through anywhere,” he notes.
3. Maintenance & Parts Availability: Affordable and Improving
Understanding the long-term cost of ownership is vital. Owais Bhai provides insights into the Raize’s maintenance and spare parts situation.
- Maintenance Cost: Fluid changes for the Raize are quite affordable, approximately ₹6,000 to ₹8,000. He confirms the car uses 5W30 grade oil.
- Spare Parts Availability: While spare parts availability might have been an issue about four months prior to the review, he believes that with the increasing popularity of the Raize, parts are becoming more readily available in the market.
4. Features & Technology: Comprehensive and Convenient
Owais Bhai finds the Toyota Raize remarkably well-equipped. It lacks very little in terms of features, especially compared to his previous Vezel.
- Steering-Mounted Controls: The multi-media steering wheel offers a wide array of controls. This allows for hands-free operation and easy access to functions. While it requires a bit of practice, it becomes intuitive.
- Digital Instrument Cluster: The car’s meter (instrument cluster) is customizable, allowing for different display modes.
- Driver Assistance: It includes features like steering assist and cruise control, enhancing driving convenience.
- Comfort Features: The Raize boasts heated seats and a single-zone climate control system.
- Charging Ports: It provides ample charging options, with two 2-Amp charging slots in the front and two more in the rear.
- AC Performance: Despite its 1000cc turbocharged engine, the AC performance is excellent, even during Karachi’s hot summers. It provides consistent cooling without issues.
- Leg Space: The front leg space is very good, contributing to overall comfort. However, Owais Bhai notes that the Vezel might have offered slightly more overall cabin space.
5. Safety Features: Robust Protection on the Road
The Toyota Raize places a strong emphasis on safety. It incorporates advanced features for peace of mind.
- ADAS Features: The car includes ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) features. These are particularly active at higher speeds (above 60-70 km/h), especially on highways.
- Lane Assist: This feature works very effectively. It provides subtle steering feedback when the car drifts out of its lane. It doesn’t disturb the drive but gently alerts the driver.
- Automatic Braking: The car features automatic braking. If it senses a vehicle too close ahead and the driver hasn’t applied sufficient brake pressure, it will automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision.
- Extensive Airbags: A significant safety highlight is the presence of eight airbags throughout the vehicle. This makes the Raize one of the safest cars in its segment. As the reviewer notes, “Allah is the protector, but the car has kept its safety complete.”
- Skid Controls: Other safety features like skid controls further enhance vehicle stability.
6. The Fuel Average Mystery: A Unit-Specific Anomaly
A surprising point of discussion during the review was Owais Bhai’s reported fuel average. This seemed unusually low.
- Unexpected Low Average: Despite the Raize’s reputation for excellent fuel efficiency (often 14-18 km/l in the city and 20+ km/l on highways), Owais Bhai’s unit consistently showed an average of around 10.8 km/l.
- Troubleshooting Efforts: He even drove to Hyderabad to test the highway average, but it only slightly improved to 10.9 km/l. He tried to diagnose the issue, suspecting a problem specific to his unit.
- Diagnosis: After further testing by the reviewer, it was confirmed that Owais Bhai’s specific car had a mechanical problem. The turbo was taking too long to boost. This resulted in a delayed pickup and higher RPMs. These factors negatively impacted fuel efficiency and low-end power.
- Important Clarification: The reviewer emphasizes that this low fuel average is not typical for the Toyota Raize. It was an isolated mechanical issue with this specific unit. He advises viewers not to be deterred by this anomaly. He also stresses the importance of always getting a physical inspection of any used car.
7. The “Power Button” Secret: Unleashing True Performance
A fascinating revelation during the review was the “Power button” on the steering wheel.
- “Jahaz Ho Jaati Hai” (Becomes a Jet): Owais Bhai mentions that when you press this power button and drive, “the car becomes a jet.”
- Mechanical Boost: Unlike the Vezel’s ECU-operated sport mode, the Raize’s power button engages a mechanical boost. This makes the car feel incredibly powerful and responsive. This “flawless, like a rocket” performance is a hidden gem for those seeking an extra thrill.
Conclusion: A Feature-Packed, Safe, and Potentially Efficient Compact SUV
The Toyota Raize is a compelling compact SUV. It offers a lot for its price point. It boasts a confident SUV-like driving feel, a comfortable and feature-rich interior, and robust safety credentials with eight airbags and active ADAS features. Its high ground clearance makes it practical for diverse road conditions.
While the specific fuel average issue in the reviewed unit was a mechanical anomaly, the Raize is generally known for its excellent efficiency. Its potential for tuning also appeals to enthusiasts. For those seeking a modern, safe, and well-equipped compact SUV with a premium feel and good value, the Toyota Raize is certainly worth considering. Always remember to get a thorough inspection before purchasing any used vehicle.
About the Author: PakWheels.com
Generally, the Raize offers 14-18 km/l in the city and over 20 km/l on highways.
The reviewed 2020 Z-category model was purchased for approximately ₹55 Lakh to ₹60 Lakh.
Yes, it includes 8 airbags, ADAS features like Lane Assist, and Automatic Braking for robust protection.
