Toyota’s new Raize GR Sport gets sharper looks and a power button, but performance remains untouched, making it the priciest without the punch
Gazoo Racing may now operate as a standalone brand within the Toyota lineup, but that hasn’t ruled out the occasional, and typically lukewarm, GR Sport treatment for more everyday models. The latest to wear the badge is the Toyota Raize, a budget-focused subcompact SUV designed for Southeast Asian markets.
The Raize rides on the same platform and shares most of its design with the Daihatsu Rocky and the Subaru Rex, continuing the close collaboration between these badge siblings.
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This new GR Sport variant follows closely behind the recently refreshed Daihatsu Rocky, which picked up a new grille and revised bumpers. Since both models have remained largely unchanged since debuting in 2019, these cosmetic tweaks act as a stand-in for a more thorough mid-cycle update.
Just Enough to Look the Part
The GR Sport treatment gives the SUV a sharper appearance thanks to a revised front bumper with a pronounced chin and an integrated skid plate. It sits on 17-inch black-finished wheels, with discreet decals on the C-pillar.
At the rear, there’s a GR Sport badge and a bumper extension with a small diffuser tucked under the license plate. Optional add-ons include carbon-look mirror caps, side visors, protective door handle covers, and side moldings.
The interior features black upholstery with contrast stitching, paired with a matching black headliner. Equipment highlights include a 9-inch infotainment screen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and a full ADAS suite.
The GR-branded steering wheel comes with paddle shifters and a “power” mode button. Optional extras include GR logos for the shift knob and scuff plates, along with accessories like a fragrance dispenser and a cargo net.
What About Performance?
Well, here’s were it falls short. Despite its visual makeover, the Raize GR Sport doesn’t offer any extra punch under the hood. It sticks with the same turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, good for 97 hp (72 kW / 98 PS) and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a CVT, which likely limits any real impact from the so-called “power” button.
Toyota’s own commercial talks up “high acceleration,” but with numbers like these, that’s less a promise and more wishful thinking.
No Suspension Tricks Here
Unlike most GR Sport models globally, which usually include suspension or steering tweaks, the Raize keeps its standard setup intact. There are no changes to the chassis, brakes, or handling characteristics. It’s essentially a well-equipped range-topper wearing a sportier outfit.
In Indonesia, the Toyota Raize GR Sport is priced from Rp292,100,000 to Rp317,100,000 (about $17,200 to $18,700 at current exchange rates), placing it at the top of the lineup. That also makes it more expensive than the Daihatsu Rocky with the same engine and transmission, a detail that won’t go unnoticed by buyers doing the math.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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