Used Toyota Raize for Sale

Toyota Raize Purchase Guide

The Raize is a compact SUV launched by Toyota in 2019. Development and production are handled by Daihatsu, and it is a sibling model of the Daihatsu Rocky. Combining SUV styling and a practical cargo area in a small, nimble body, it became one of the best-selling new cars in Japan (excluding kei cars) right after its launch. There has only been one generation as of 2026, but a hybrid was added later, and the available engine and drivetrain combinations vary by model year. Used examples are plentiful and easy to choose from, so the basic approach is to first check which powertrains and drivetrains are available for the model years you are targeting.

First-Generation Raize (A200A, etc. / 2019–): A Compact SUV Developed by Daihatsu Within Japan's Compact Size Class Width

Appeal of the First-Generation Raize

SUV styling and practicality packed into a body under 4 m long

The first-generation Raize is a compact SUV launched in November 2019. Daihatsu handles its development and production, and it is sold through an OEM supply arrangement with Toyota. Underneath, it is the same as the Daihatsu Rocky, with the main differences being exterior styling and emblems. In 2022, the Subaru Rex joined the lineup as another OEM version of the Rocky. Many parts and much of the service information can be shared across all three vehicles. Its structure is based on Daihatsu's design approach, "DNGA." Its greatest strength is its dimensions—3,995 mm long and 1,695 mm wide—which fit within Japan's compact size class (a small-car category requiring a width of 1,700 mm or less, among other limits). It is easy to handle on narrow streets and in older parking lots, while also offering SUV styling with good ground clearance. Right after launch, it ranked near the top of sales charts for registered vehicles (excluding Japan's kei cars). At launch, the only powertrain was a 1.0L inline-three turbo (1KR-VET) paired with a D-CVT. Buyers could choose between FWD and 4WD. The D-CVT transmits power with a belt drive and also uses gears at higher speeds. This combines strong acceleration in town with quiet cruising on the highway. The 4WD is an electronically controlled system called "Dynamic Torque Control 4WD," which distributes torque to the rear wheels according to road conditions. It is also a popular choice in areas with heavy snowfall. A partial update in November 2021 added two powertrains. One is a 1.2L naturally aspirated inline-three engine (WA-VE). The other is "e-SMART HYBRID" (WA-VEX), a series hybrid that uses a 1.2L engine to generate electricity. With this update, FWD gasoline models switched to the 1.2L naturally aspirated engine, and the 1.0L turbo became exclusive to 4WD. At launch, there were four grades: X, X "S", G, and Z, with the top Z grade fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels. In Japan, it has been widely used for commuting and shopping, as a second car for families with young children, and as a 4WD vehicle in snowy regions.

Drawbacks of the First-Generation Raize

Powertrains vary by model year, and condition can differ greatly depending on how each car was used

The first thing to check is the combination of model year and powertrain. All models from November 2019 to October 2021 are 1.0L turbos. From November 2021 onward, FWD models have either the 1.2L naturally aspirated engine or the hybrid, while 4WD models have the 1.0L turbo. The hybrid is available only with FWD, so if you want 4WD for snowy roads, you will need to choose a turbo model. Even among FWD Raize models, whether you get a turbo or a naturally aspirated engine depends on the model year, which changes how acceleration feels. Both the 1KR-VET and WA-VE are inline-three engines, and some owners say vibration and noise at idle and at low speeds are noticeable. This tends to be true of three-cylinder cars in this displacement range in general. The steering wheel has no telescopic (reach) adjustment, so depending on your build, it may be hard to find a comfortable driving position. Ideally, sit in the driver's seat to check before buying. The rear seat is cleverly designed for a car under 4 m long, but it can feel cramped on long trips with four adults. How a car was used also shows in its used condition. The Raize is a common sight in rental and car-sharing fleets, and it is said that cars with that history enter the used market in large numbers. Because many different people drive them over short periods, some are said to show more scratches and dirt than their mileage would suggest—such as scuffs on bumper corners, curb rash on wheels, and stains on the interior. On the other hand, privately owned cars used only for local shopping may have low mileage, but repeated short trips can reportedly weaken the battery. Checking the maintenance records for inspection and CVT fluid change history provides peace of mind. For 4WD models used in snowy regions, also check the underbody for rust. In April 2023, Daihatsu disclosed certification fraud in side-impact crash testing for models including the Raize hybrid. In December of the same year, it halted shipments of all models. Raize shipments were also suspended and resumed in 2024. The resulting disruption in new-car supply is believed to have affected used-car prices as well.

Rivals of the First-Generation Raize

Toyota Yaris Cross

The model most often compared for the same era and purpose is the Toyota Yaris Cross, launched in August 2020. Both are small Toyota-brand SUVs released around the same time, and they have often been considered side by side by buyers. However, their origins differ. While the Raize uses Daihatsu's DNGA structure, the Yaris Cross is an SUV derivative of the Yaris that uses Toyota's TNGA (GA-B) platform. The Yaris Cross is 4,180 mm long and 1,765 mm wide, making it a size larger than the Raize. Because its width exceeds the compact size class limit, it falls into Japan's larger standard size class (width over 1,700 mm). The Raize is said to have the edge in maneuverability on Japan's narrow roads and in older parking lots, while the Yaris Cross is said to have the advantage in rear-seat and cargo space as well as composure on highways. The Yaris Cross is available with a 1.5L inline-three (M15A) gasoline engine or as a hybrid. The gasoline model uses a CVT, and the hybrid uses an electric continuously variable transmission. Even the hybrid is available with "E-Four," a 4WD system in which a motor drives the rear wheels. This is a major difference from the Raize, whose hybrid is FWD only. If you want a hybrid 4WD for snowy regions, choose the Yaris Cross; if you are fine with a turbo for 4WD, the Raize is the choice. Used prices tend to be more affordable for the Raize, reflecting the difference in vehicle class. The Raize suits those who mainly drive in town and prioritize maneuverability and running costs. It also suits those who drive in tight environments similar to Japanese residential areas. The Yaris Cross is likely a better fit for those who often take long family trips or want more equipment and driving refinement. Both models were widely used as rental cars, so usage history should be checked for either one. Competitors such as the Nissan Kicks and Honda Vezel are a class above the Raize. Among other manufacturers' models under 4 m long and within the compact size class width, the Suzuki XBEE is a comparable option.

First-Generation Raize Specifications

1.0L turbo, 1.2L, and hybrid; D-CVT; hybrid FWD only

Engine: 1.0L inline-three turbo (1KR-VET) / 1.2L inline-three (WA-VE, from November 2021) / 1.2L inline-three for hybrid (WA-VEX, from November 2021) Transmission: D-CVT (gasoline models) / Hybrid is a series type (engine generates electricity; motor drives the car) Drive: FWD / 4WD (from November 2021, 4WD is 1.0L turbo only; hybrid is FWD only) Suspension (front): MacPherson strut Suspension (rear): Torsion beam Length × Width × Height: 3,995 × 1,695 × 1,620 mm Features: An OEM model developed and produced by Daihatsu, sharing its underpinnings with the Rocky. A small SUV built on the DNGA structure that fits within Japan's compact size class; the "e-SMART HYBRID" series hybrid and a 1.2L naturally aspirated engine were added in November 2021.