Daihatsu's compact crossover, the Rocky, along with its Toyota Raize equivalent, received their first-ever hybrid variants featuring Daihatsu's first purpose-built hybrid system that promises to be a game-changer on Japanese roads unless some wire-wearing ASEAN car smugglers are hearing about this. Why does Daihatsu's first hybrid system matter to these crossovers? Let's find out.
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| 2022 Daihatsu Rocky HEV |
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| 2022 Toyota Raize Hybrid |
Priced at 2,116,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs or 2,163,000 Yen if you are in a Toyota dealership, the hybrid variants of the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize crossovers featured a specially developed hybrid powertrain that some say works just like the one from the Nissan Kicks e-Power.
While the exterior design remains the same as the normal one, albeit the Rocky one features a unique front face to differentiate it from the normal one, the similar interior features a specially-made instrumental panel that checks out the progress of its hybrid system.
The hybrid powertrain features a new 1.2L WA-VEX petrol engine that generates the electric motor, which is broadly similar to the Nissan Kicks e-Power of course, capable of getting through low and medium speeds and suitable for driving around town. Because the battery that generates the said powertrain is positioned under the rear seat cushion, the passenger space and boot space are identical to the normal equivalents.
Thanks to this powertrain and the fact that it is offered exclusively in front-wheel-drive, the fuel economy of the hybrid variants is at 28kmpl based on the WLTC Mode standards, the highest in the compact SUV class.
The Rocky and Raize hybrid variants come with the new S-PDL that allows comfortable acceleration and deceleration by putting your foot on and off the accelerator pedal. It can be engaged in either Normal Mode or Eco Mode according to driving conditions.
Like the normal variants, the hybrid variants do come with improved Smart Assist advanced driving aids featuring a new stereo camera first applied on the Taft, collision warning function and collision avoidance support braking function support pedestrian detection at night, and the sign recognition function for maximum speed and stop sign, giving them a total of 19 safety features, the most for a Daihatsu-made vehicle. Also, the electronic parking brake and the Cornering Trace Assist are now standard for expensive variants.
With the arrival of the hybrid variants of the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize, looks like the Nissan Kicks' luck just ran out because of the fuel economy these crossovers possess, especially the budget. Whether you want a front-wheel-drive crossover fit for the trip to the mall with your friends or for work-related stuff in case of logistics and TNVS purposes, consider the hybrid variants of the Rocky and the Raize. They don't look as sharp as the Kicks but they're here to go through the extra mile from sunrise to sunset.
Photo: Toyota/Daihatsu
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