Toyota Raize gets the GR Sport treatment, will PH get it?

The Toyota Raize (AKA Daihatsu Rocky) has been in the Philippine market for quite some time already. First launched in the country back in early 2022, the Raize serves as Toyota's smallest crossover in the lineup and is available in three distinct variants: E, G, and Turbo.

But unlike most of its crossover siblings, it wasn't available with a GR Sport (GR-S) variant...until now. Making its regional debut in Indonesia is the Toyota Raize GR Sport, which gets a healthy dose of aesthetic upgrades, inside and out.

Beginning with the exterior changes, the Raize GR Sport gets a pair of sportier bumpers, which give the Raize a more dynamic appearance. It also gets a new side sticker near the rear doors that adds some sophistication to the Raize GR Sport. The 17-inch alloy wheels are derived from the Turbo variant but have been painted black to complement the GR Sport's snazzier looks. Last but not least is the GR Sport badge on the tailgate to remind everyone this is no ordinary Raize.

Open the doors, and the Raize GR Sport gets a new black interior, complete with a leather armrest, leather-fabric seats, and contrast stitching to give the cabin a sportier appearance. There's also a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, a leather-wrapped GR steering wheel, and paddle shifters, which were also derived from the Turbo variant.

For those who want their Raize GR Sport to look extra sporty, Toyota is even offering additional accessories like a GR Sport shift knob, GR door scuff plates, and door handle protectors that come with the GR logo.

Under the hood, the GR Sport version of the Raize only comes with one engine option, the 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 98 PS at 6000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque between 2400 and 4000 rpm. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a CVT with sequential manual select.

With Indonesia getting its hands first on the Toyota Raize GR Sport, we won't be surprised if Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) decides to bring it here in the future. After all, TMP gets the Raize from Indonesia.