What’s new in the 2025 Toyota Raize: A detailed overview

Sold in some markets as the Daihatsu Rocky, the 2025 Toyota Raize is a subcompact crossover SUV. Based on a Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, the Raize competes with the likes of the Nissan Magnite, Hyundai Venue, and Suzuki Fronx in the UAE. Similar in most aspects to its Indonesian counterpart, the Emirati version could be your next small SUV.

Even though UAE customers love their big 4x4s, subcompact crossovers like the Raize are being normalised with each passing year. Of course, what helps matters more here is the Toyota badge – it’s viewed as a badge of honour in the Gulf. There’s no denying that the main motivators here are efficiency and affordability.

Variants & Price

Al-Futtaim Motors has kept things as simple as possible by offering just one variant of the 2025 Toyota Raize. The Raize 1.0 Turbo G costs AED 66,900 in the UAE, which makes it cheaper than the fully-loaded Nissan Magnite. This is great news for those who aren’t willing to invest in its less-than-stable rival brand.

Exterior

You can tell straight away that this small crossover is primarily meant to tackle the urban sprawl and not the desert dunes. Whilst not tiny, the Raize is a relatively compact 4,030 mm in length, 1,710 mm in width, and is 1,635 mm tall. Toyota hasn’t burdened the Raize with too much visual bulk, though, which was a wise decision in retrospect.

The trapezoidal front grille with its honeycomb mesh makes for a confident look, whilst the thin LED headlights blend in with the DRLs seamlessly. The chunky bumper corners and vertical fog-lamp housings give the Raize an assertive posture. Meanwhile, the black accents around the lower portion of the body give it a lifted look, as if imitating a purposeful off-roader.

The Raize's boxy hood and high beltline give it a modern, muscular look. The 17-inch alloys with their dual-tone finish and diamond-cut pattern fit the wheel arches well. The aggressive side cladding further adds to the tough crossover styling. The blacked-out top, should you choose the two-tone roof option, makes the whole design stand out.

Glancing at the rear of the Raize, you'll notice how the thin LED taillights wrap around the corners. These are linked by a gloss-black strip that makes the car's overall stance appear wider. The sculpted rear bumper, which sports fake skid-plate detailing and built-in reflectors, fits the bill. Generally speaking, the design of the Toyota Raize will be noticed by some and perhaps ignored by others.

Interior

The moment you step into the Raize's cabin, you can tell that the variant offered in the UAE isn't top-of-the-line. Whilst this kind of makes sense considering its aggressive pricing, it does lend the cabin an underwhelming feel. The design of the dashboard is modern, with sharp angles and a central portion that's canted towards the driver.

There aren't many notable soft-touch materials here, but the red piping on the fabric seats is a nice touch. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever feel nicer but are simple in their design. There's white stitching on both, adding some more character where barely any exists. The front seats hug you just enough, with comfortable bolsters and a reasonable quality fabric.

While not premium, this material doesn't heat up as quickly as leatherette – a good thing under the harsh UAE sun. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in the middle of the dash is easy to grasp. It's pretty basic but is surrounded by simple, tactile buttons. The climate controls below it are just as basic and simple to use, featuring only a couple of buttons and knobs. This means it's easy to change the temperature and fan speed as you drive along.

There is no fancy multi-colour ambient lighting or a panoramic sunroof in the Raize. However, the cabin feels airy and spacious thanks to the well-sized windows and a high roof. As long as you're under six feet, the 2,525 mm wheelbase offers the rear passengers enough room for their legs.

While not class-leading, there are storage cubbies in all the doors and along the centre console. The latter includes a compact bin with a sliding armrest for extra comfort. Even the 369-litre boot of the Raize is more than what you find in the Nissan Magnite or the Hyundai Venue.

Unfortunately, there's no wireless phone charger or even rear air vents. The lack of multiple USB ports could further exacerbate a weak features list on longer journeys. The budget interior of the Raize 2025 can feel like it's a Daihatsu instead of a new Toyota. The analogue instruments are easy to read, and the infotainment system does support Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

A four-speaker sound system exists, but cruise control does not – a weird omission in a place like the UAE. Split-folding rear seats mean that you can carry even more luggage, should the need arise. And that's basically about it when it comes to the interior of the Toyota Raize.

Engine and performance

The 2025 Toyota Raize sources its power from a brand-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This three-pot provides 97 hp and 140 Nm of torque that lasts between 2,400 and 4,000 rpm. This makes forward progress feel adequate in stop-go traffic – a definite plus for an urban commuter.

Then again, the lack of absolute grunt means that you'll be left wanting as you merge into Sheikh Zayed Road with faster-moving traffic. The Raize's engine usually stays in its sweet spot, courtesy of the CVT gearbox. While there is lag below 2,000 rpm, this engine-gearbox combo delivers on efficiency – it's rated at 19.3 kmpl (5.2 L/100 km).

Such mileage means that you won't have to fill up the Raize's 36-litre tank very often. Saving's galore? The new Toyota Raize's top speed is around 170 kmph, and its 0-100 kmph sprint takes just over 10 seconds. A light kerb weight of about 1,175 kg and well-tuned suspension mean that the Raize remains adequately stable out on the open road.

Moreover, the Raize remains measurably composed when taking sharp turns, but you should not expect any sportiness here. In essence, this small crossover offers just enough urban performance but with great fuel economy – the latter will surely be appreciated.

Safety

The 2025 Toyota Raize carries an array of passive safety measures. Considering the variant sold in the UAE is not a top-end one, there are just dual airbags to protect the front occupants in the event of an accident. This is definitely not ideal and is a huge miss by Toyota!

There are ISOFIX child-seat anchors for the rear seats, plus rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a rear fog lamp. Providing more assurance is the Raize's limited but useful set of electrical safety nannies. These include Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-Starting Assist, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Toyota has also included other safety equipment that can help in case you get into an accident. The E-Call System feature of the Raize will help you contact emergency services with just one push of a button. This could very well be a god-send for many who might be under duress post a serious incident.

Conclusion

The biggest positives of the 2025 Toyota Raize are its price tag, frugality, and a small SUV-like front fascia. Its major weaknesses include a lack of highway performance, a low-rent interior feel & features, and general cabin NVH at speeds. You may consider the Raize if you want a budget Toyota crossover for city use exclusively.