The question is whether the 1.0 Turbo engine combined with the CVT continuously variable transmission of the Toyota Raize is weak due to its power output of less than 100 horsepower. The only way to answer this question is to personally operate the Toyota Raize with various conditions to draw the most accurate conclusion.
First challenge: carrying 5 adults
The Toyota Raize will undergo a test to evaluate its ability to carry a “full load” and the passenger cabin space with 5 adults who are averagely 1.70 meters tall and together weigh over 350kg.
The front seat space of the Toyota Raize can be considered sufficiently spacious, while the rear seat appears to be just enough for 3 adults in urban areas for short trips. It would be more comfortable if there are only 4 adults or 2 adults with 1 child sitting in the middle on the second row.
The square design advantage helps create a very spacious cabin space. Combined with the smartly designed inclined rear seats, the rear passengers have less risk of hitting their heads on the ceiling, which is a common problem with sedans or A or B-class CUV models.
Compared to other A-segment SUVs, the interior space of the Raize is decent and comfortable. The car is designed to prioritize the comfort of 4 adults or 5 people including 1 child.
Next challenge: climbing steep hills
Next, with more than 500kg of weight from 5 adults and an additional 100kg of filming equipment in the trunk, the car will face the challenge of climbing up to Thu?ng Ð?n, a mountaintop in Ba Vi National Park, Hanoi, with slopes exceeding 12 degrees, to assess the power of the Toyota Raize in the most intuitive way.
Although the engine only produces 98 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque, the Japanese manufacturer has optimized the power very well, allowing the car to climb steep hills as if it were… normal. Of course, there won’t be a feeling of comfort or ease, but the car does not feel weak at all! At this point, the gear lever and the Power Mode feature are two extremely useful tools.
In urban driving conditions, the Toyota Raize does not feel sluggish. This A-segment CUV is optimized to exploit power and can even provide the driver with a “fun-to-drive” feeling, thanks to quick, sensitive, and powerful throttle response whenever the driver needs to accelerate at low speeds (below 60 km/h). This can be considered an advantage of a car that weighs just over 1.1 tons.
On highways or long-distance roads, with over 500kg of additional weight, the Toyota Raize still has the ability to overtake other cars. The car does not need to push too hard or strain itself to accelerate at high speeds (80-100 km/h). At high speeds, the D-CVT transmission will switch to gear drive, instead of only operating with a belt like conventional CVT transmissions.
As a result, the transmission ratio is improved (by 12 – 19% efficiency), the acceleration is faster (up to 15%), and fuel efficiency is higher than cars using CVT transmissions. This is directly reflected in the engine’s “roaring” sound when it needs to accelerate, which will be significantly reduced.
So the 1.0 Turbo engine combined with the D-CVT continuously variable transmission with 98 horsepower is not as weak as it may seem on paper! In fact, the Raize can even provide a satisfying feeling when driven with a youthful style. However, it should be noted that this A-segment CUV from Toyota is still inclined towards a more fuel-efficient driving style rather than a powerful and exhilarating one.
In terms of the price range of 500 million dong, the Toyota Raize meets all the requirements and brings joy in terms of driving power, enough for the driver to confidently take it to climb steep hills, go on weekend outings, or drive daily in urban areas.
A compact and well-equipped car – safe
The display behind the steering wheel of the Raize is the most user-friendly feature in the A-segment CUV. In addition to basic information, this screen also displays the steering angle as soon as the car is in D mode – a very subtle point of consideration for new drivers, especially women behind the wheel. When climbing hills, the central screen will also show detailed road slope information, making it look like a “real off-road” vehicle.
At the same time, the Toyota Raize pays great attention to safety. Evidence of this is that the car comes standard with front and rear sensors, a reverse camera, and blind-spot warning on the mirror – leading the segment.
On the other hand, the rear passengers have not been equipped with air vents or mobile device charging ports. These are upgrades that Toyota Raize needs to improve in the future to increase convenience for the car.
When operating at high speeds on highways, the noise level inside the cabin of the Raize will be relatively loud, especially the sound from the road. Along with the lack of cruise control, this can be inconvenient when traveling long distances.
With these advantages, it is not surprising that the Toyota Raize is a very successful commercial vehicle. In the Japanese market, the Toyota Raize is the second best-selling car after the Toyota Yaris, with sales of over 126,000 units. Similarly, in 2021, the Raize ranked 6th with sales of over 81,880 units.
In the Vietnamese market, the Toyota Raize also proves to be a very popular car, receiving a large number of orders right from its launch. The car is always out of stock, and customers will need to make a deposit and wait if they want to own a Raize.
Quick summary after real-world driving tests: the Toyota Raize is a “good car”! Not too powerful, but the Raize is enough to conquer very steep hills, overtake cars on the highway, and provide an exciting feeling in urban areas. Beautiful design, decent interior space in the segment, and a diverse list of convenient and safe features are the points that will undoubtedly continue to make the Toyota Raize popular, especially among young customers, and will continue to have high demand in the near future.
Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)
Photos: Minh Ð?i
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