I had an afternoon with the all-new 2022 Toyota Raize, courtesy of Toyota Motor Philippines. This crossover is set to compete in a very sparse playing field here in our local market, but the brand isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to the model’s production. Keep in mind that the model kindly lent to me is the highest-trim model with the turbocharged engine. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the Raize and I genuinely believe it will set the segment alight for young professionals and families, but read on to see what led to this opinion.

Exterior

The moment I laid eyes on the car, the color immediately popped and brought the vehicle to life.  It reminded me of Gatorade’s Blue Bolt flavor, which gives off this energetic and lively vibe that exudes a bit of fun all-around. Its design follows Toyota’s modern philosophy moving forward, with angular elements and an intimidating stance. The LED headlamps are well-placed, and the sequential turn signals remind you of 2022 technology despite the fact that other cars (some more expensive) don’t even come with this feature. Toyota was forward-thinking here.

Even the rear has plastic trims in the right places. Despite the aero bits not being all-that-functional, users in this segment will be glad about the aesthetic these elements bring to the car’s personality.

Unlocking the car, you get a bit of a show as the mirrors fold and unfold by themselves. Activate the keyless entry option for a hassle-free experience every time you enter the vehicle – no more jumbling for keys. I can imagine many scenarios where I’m already holding quite a lot of things after a tiring day and the last thing I want to do is reach into my purse or my pockets. This is a small but significant quality-of-life upgrade.

Interior

Step into the interior and you’ll find yourself in a nice place, comfortable enough to ferry you and your passengers through Manila traffic. The fabric/leather combination seats are comfortable for stints around the city and even out-of-town trips. The interior is definitely built with function, durability, and ergonomics in mind (as they should) but that doesn’t take away from its modernity.

I was very impressed by the 7-inch fully digital display up front which gave me multiple designs to choose from, all notably inspired by European brands.

Despite the gray-ish color themes, the previously mentioned angular elements found their way into segments of the interior and added a bit of spice.

The 9-inch head unit at the center was equipped with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support or even good-old Bluetooth and radio software. It was responsive and the speakers were nothing to complain about either. I feel like this is one of the best speaker systems I have heard in a car at this price point and could be compared to even more expensive models. It’s perfect for jamming and singing along with friends on road trips.

Courtesy of Toyota Motor Philippines

Speaking of road trips, this car is perfect for the task. It’s deceptively small outside yet has so much headroom and legroom on the inside.

I had a friend at 6-feet tall sit behind me while I was driving in my natural position, and he had no complaints whatsoever. For maps, glasses, bottles of water, and other small trinkets, storage cubbies are aplenty in the cabin and even retract out of places you wouldn’t expect.

Courtesy of Toyota Global

For your bags and souvenirs, the cargo area has 369 liters of cargo space behind the foldable rear seats.

Heading to Baguio for the weekend but afraid of possible unpaved or rocky roads on the way there? 200 millimeters of ground clearance, at the lowest point. Enough said.

Comfort and Driving Dynamics

The chassis and suspension take bumps quite well. We didn’t notice small imperfections in the road that we would’ve been bothered by in similar vehicles. Refinement is present and nothing rattles – making the whole experience feel more upscale.

The 1.0L turbocharged engine that comes in the top-of-the-line 2022 Toyota Raize is a treat to drive, even in the varying conditions of the Philippines. The turbo kicks at just the right time and provides ample go which never makes the car feel anemic.

The CVT works in harmony with the engine to make sure that the whole experience can be as fun or as quiet as your right foot wants it to be. Whether you’re in stop-and-go traffic on EDSA, on tight roads in the city, or on an empty highway, the Raize feels ready for every scenario. When you’re not driving like a madman, the crossover will average somewhere in the 16-20 km/L mark, which will save your precious wallet in these trying times.

With that much pep comes necessary safety. I was surprised that the Raize we tested came with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, and a suite of other safety features. According to the team behind Toyota, even the lower variants are installed with sonars to help with parking. Finding similar safety tech in this segment can be a difficult feat but Toyota paves the way once again.

Conclusion

The 2022 Toyota Raize provides its owners with peace of mind that the vehicle will do most tasks well. One day you could be in the middle of your everyday commute to work and then packing up the car for a whole weekend adventure to the province without any hitch. The car is an amazing all-rounder, especially for the price. The quality at which the car is built lets you trust it and have confidence that it will remain reliable over years of ownership.

This vehicle has all the makings of a successful release because it has all the practicality a young professional or family would need. When it’s just the driver and the car, the Raize can switch it up and change its personality to show you that fun can still very much be had with this crossover. It just ticks all the essential boxes and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would highly recommend the 2022 Toyota Raize to consumers in the Philippines, especially those looking within this segment.

The base model starts at just Php 746,000 while the Turbo variant we have here is priced at Php 1,031,000.

For more details, visit the official page.