Toyota Raize

The dashboard is designed in a driver-centered format using materials that are above the price range. Although hard plastics prevail, as they should at this price point, Toyota uses silver accent parts and gloss-black trim, which increase the perceived quality. The exterior styling cues are reflected in the hexagonal air vent design and the interior and exterior design themes are visually coherent.

The instrument cluster is a blend of the conventional analog gauges with a small digital display of 3.5-inch, which displays trip information, fuel range, and gear display. The layout is not the most advanced, but it is still easy to read and use when driving at night. The silver trim ring around it provides a high-end feel that is not commonly found in low-end products.

Practical intelligence is exhibited in storage solutions all over the cabin. The armrest of the center console has a large compartment, which can fit smartphones, wallets, and documents. Water bottles of 500ml fit into door pockets with ease, and there are other cubbyholes all over the cabin to keep personal items in place.

Space and Ergonomics: The Maximum of the Millimeters

A quick slip into the driver seat brought out the expertise of the interior packaging of Toyota. Although the compact exterior, the cabin is truly spacious, which is a credit to the long wheelbase and smart design. The elevated seating position which is 200mm higher than the normal hatchbacks gives the vehicle great visibility over the traffic and gives the desired SUV driving experience.

Front seat comfort was outstanding during that long driving period. The fabric upholstery has an accent stitching that matches the exterior paint, a nice detail that shows that it is paying attention. The range of seat adjustment is between 5'4 and 6'2 and the thigh support is sufficient to make the longer trips comfortable. The steering wheel, which is covered with leather in the G variant, has the telescopic and tilt adjustment to suit different driving styles.

Rear seat space actually amazed me during my testing. Three adults can comfortably ride on shorter trips whereas two passengers have enough shoulder room and legroom on longer trips. The low-floor makes entry/exit easy and all the three seats have good headrests- a safety measure that is usually compromised on cost-conscious cars. Nevertheless, the lack of rear air vents is noticeable in the scorching summer in UAE, where front passengers are forced to change climate control to accommodate the comfort of rear passengers.

Interior Practicality and Storage Solutions

The space practicality of the Raize was demonstrated by its daily use. The cargo is 369-liter with a low loading sill and square shape that gives maximum volume. The flat floor makes it easy to load bulky goods and the rear seats are 60:40 split-folding that increases the capacity when required. In my test, the cargo could comfortably fit the weekly shopping of a family of four, a number of suitcases on a weekend outing, and large items that would have tested the capacity of a sub-4-meter car.

The interior storage solutions are carefully designed. Tablets, documents and personal items can be stored in the center console armrest compartment. Bottles up to 1.5 liters can be stored in door pockets and there are other storage spaces all over the cabin to keep smaller items in order and reachable. The cup holders are placed logically for the front occupants and bottle holders are fitted on the door panels for the rear occupants.

Safety equipment coverage is satisfactory in the segment and surpasses the offerings of some of the competitors. Both variants comprise dual front airbags (as standard), ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist and Tire Pressure Warning System.

The G variant includes a reverse camera with guidelines to supplement the conventional rear parking sensors, which will greatly increase the parking confidence in congested areas of the UAE. The quality of the camera image was good both in the day and in the night with guidelines showing the correct direction of the vehicle.

Hill Start Assist came in handy especially when I was on my mountain driving trips and I was on a steep hill and needed to avoid rolling back as I switched between the brake and the accelerator. The system works in a transparent manner, in which it stops the vehicle temporarily without the driver having to act. The ISOFIX mounting points can be used to install the child seat correctly. 

The 2025 Toyota Raize is not apologetic for its small size of 4,030mm length, but the bold design language is enough to create actual road presence. The hexagonal grille that is aggressive and is the dominant feature of the angular front fascia is a stark contrast to the crossovers that are anonymous in the segment. The LED clusters of headlights with their unique cube-shaped daytime running lights form a new light signature that is easily identifiable in traffic.

The most interesting observation I made during my first walkaround inspection was the manner in which the designers of Toyota made the most out of the limited space. The muscular wheel arches especially on the G version with its 17-inch machined alloy wheels give the illusion of a much larger vehicle. The plastic body cladding that runs along the sides and around the wheel wells is not only aesthetic but also practical, helping in protecting the body against dings in the parking lot and also underlines the rugged nature of the SUV.

The rear design is also thoughtful as the tailgate has a special black panel which makes it look wide. The taillights are LED and have the same design theme as the front with a small integrated spoiler which does not disrupt the clean lines. During my extended test period, the dual-tone silver and black roof combination was always received well by my peers and those who were passing by the parking lot.

Exterior Dimensions and Build Quality

The intelligence of the proportions was shown by Toyota as I was living with the Raize everyday. The 1,710mm width is just the right balance as it is large enough to be stable on the highway but small enough to fit in the tight parking lots of the UAE. The 1,635mm tall height offers real SUV presence without raising any concerns about the parking garage, and the long 2,525mm wheelbase promises interior room that the exterior size may not indicate.

The build quality was impressive throughout my testing time. There were no panel gaps, paint finish stood up well to the harsh environment of the UAE, and the LED lighting components did not show any evidence of moisture intrusion despite multiple rainy encounters that I had during. 

The color options demonstrate the knowledge of Toyota about the preferences of the UAE. In addition to the usual choices, two-tone choices such as white pearl and black roof, red and black roof and the eye-catching yellow and black roof show that the brand takes personalization seriously in a market where individuality counts.

CVT Transmission and Drive Characteristics

Both engines can only be paired with Toyota CVT transmission, which turned out to be surprisingly pleasant when used in the long run. Contrary to other CVT applications that make the car feel disconnected, the system in Toyota provides a reasonable engagement and provides smooth acceleration. The transmission also has simulated gear steps when accelerating more aggressively, which gives a more natural feel to the drivers who are used to the conventional automatic transmissions.

The mode of driving can be customized to either Normal, ECO or Power. ECO mode was the most appropriate in the city traffic, and throttle sensitivity was minimized, as well as the transmission behavior was optimized to achieve maximum efficiency. Power mode enhances the responsiveness on the highway or spirited mountain road trips, but the small power output restrains the dramatic impact of the transformation.

The efficiency gains of the CVT were evident during my fuel economy test. The turbocharged engine added power but in reality, the consumption was 15-16 km/L in a wide range of driving conditions, which is incredibly close to the Toyota claimed consumption of 19.3 km/L and is impressive given the operating conditions in the UAE.

Ride Quality and Handling Dynamics

Suspension tuning prioritizes a comfortable-oriented approach to sporting pretense, and the net effect is a compliant ride quality that essentially isolates the occupants of the vehicle against road irregularities. The MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear design has taken the diverse roads of the UAE with great applause: smooth highway to broken city streets and the infrequent unpaved parking lot.

Body roll also remains in good control for the class, which gives confidence when changing lanes on the highway and going around the roundabout. Though, the electric power steering lacks the feedback that enthusiasts desire but offers the right amount of effort in urban manoeuvring. The small size and low 1,080kg curb weight help to achieve agile handling features that make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces easy.

The ground clearance of 200mm was sufficient enough to allow speed bumps, parking ramps and light off-road conditions that I experienced during my testing. Although it is not intended to be an off-roader, the clearance can handle the rough surfaces of the UAE without worrying about damaging the underbody.

Fuel Economy: Real-World Performance

The following is a brief table that summarises the fuel efficiency of Toyota Raize:

Build Quality and Reliability Expectations

The build quality was indicative of Toyota's reputation. There were no panel gaps, interior trim elements were not worn out, and all electronic systems worked well even in the harsh environment of the UAE.

The paint quality resisted stone chips and retained its luster even after frequent washing and parking in direct sunlight. The LED lighting components did not exhibit any evidence of moisture intrusion or fading and electrical systems also did not show glitches or unforeseen actions.

Technology integration varies across variants, which is indicative of the value engineering strategy of Toyota. The entry-level E model has a 7-inch touchscreen and has wired smartphone connectivity. On the other hand, the G model has a larger 8-inch display and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wirelessly), which was invaluable during my time of testing.

The wireless connectivity removes cable management in the center console section that makes the space look cleaner and at the same time provides a smooth integration of smartphones. The six-speaker sound system of the G model provides a reasonable sound quality, but the audiophiles will notice shortcomings when taking music-oriented trips.

The pricing strategy makes the Raize competitive with the existing rivals while providing the Toyota brand promise. The price of the E version and the G model is AED 68,000 and AED 74,000, respectively, which is quite strong considering the urban orientation of buyers.

The 2025 Toyota Raize clears the test of 2,500 kilometers of rigorous testing in all possible UAE driving conditions, and it is a well-designed solution to the urban-oriented consumer, who wants to be sure of reliability, efficiency, and practicality. 

The Raize is a city car that suits well with its small size, powerful engines, and convenient interior design. The fuel economy is still impressive, the build quality is up to the Toyota standard, and the package as a whole gives the reliability that makes Toyota ownership attractive in the UAE market.

There are weaknesses- the rear passenger comfort could be improved, the three-cylinder engine does not feel as smooth as a four-cylinder, and the content of features lags behind some of the competitors. Nevertheless, these tradeoffs allow the competitive pricing and efficiency that characterizes the market position of the Raize.