Toyota Raize vs Kia Sonet, Geely GX3 Pro, MG ZS

The local crossover segment is one of the most popular categories in the Philippine automotive scene. 

Models in this division are essentially small sport utility vehicles (SUV) that drive like sedans. Sure they have limited space, but their compact dimensions work — especially for those living in the metro. 

The Toyota Raize is one of the more favored nameplates in the group, but how does it fare against its rivals like the Kia Sonet, Geely GX3 Pro, and MG ZS? 

On that note, we’re going to take a look at these vehicles go toe-to-toe (or wheel-to-wheel), in this four-way comparo. First, let’s start by looking at the specifications of the Toyota Raize. 

Toyota Raize 

As mentioned, the Toyota Raize can be considered as a staple in the segment. Here is a quick look at its features.

Exterior 

Outside, the Toyota Raize looks sporty and stylish with plenty of straight lines and sharp angles. We’re looking at the G variant here, which the author reviewed sometime last year. You can know more about it, here.

At the fore is a grille that’s somewhat big for its compact size. It boasts a mesh-like design and is flanked by a pair of headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lamps. 

Its side profile is highlighted by blacked-out claddings on the wheel well and side sills as well as some dark-hued pillars. Also good-looking are its monotone 16-inch wheels shod in chunky 205/65 tires. 

The back side of the Toyota Raize matches its strong fascia. It gets combination taillamps connected by a horizontal garnish, a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated brake lamp, and some beefy bumpers with reflectors on each side. 

Here are some other exterior features offered by the Toyota Raize: 

• Electronic side mirrors 
• Intermittent rear windshield wiper with reverse link
• Fin-type antenna
• Silver-colored door handles 

Interior 

Inside, the Toyota Raize offers a cabin that complements its exterior. Sporty are its seats covered in fabric upholstery with red piping and a Y-shaped pattern. Some leather trims can be found on its steering wheel, gear shifter boot, and central armrest. 

It has a seven-inch thin-film transistor digital instrument cluster and a floating eight-inch infotainment display. Both screens are sufficient for the needs of motorists who will use the Toyota Raize as a daily driver. 

Here are some of its interior amenities: 

• Electronic power steering 
• Multi-functional controls on steering wheel
• Day and night inside rearview mirror
• Keyless entry with push start button 
• Automatic air conditioning system

Engine 

Powering the Toyota Raize is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Here are its performance figures: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	86
Maximum torque (in Nm)	113

 

Safety

The Toyota Raize also boasts a decent list of safety technologies, we have listed them below: 

• Airbags
• Seatbelts 
• Anti-lock braking 
• Vehicle stability control 
• Hill start assist control 
• Immobilizer 
• Rear parking sensors

Variants, pricing

The Toyota Raize is offered in the Philippines in four variants. Below are the said trims and their respective prices: 

Toyota Raize E MT	P751,000
Toyota Raize E CVT	P841,000
Toyota Raize G CVT	P936,000
Toyota Raize Turbo CVT	P1.063 million

 

Kia Sonet

One of the Toyota Raize’s strong contenders in the crossover segment is the Kia Sonet. The nameplate brings the same sporty and aggressive energy but comes loaded with more up-to-date technologies. 

Exterior 

Outside, the Kia Sonet boasts contemporary looks akin to the Carnival multi-purpose vehicle and Sorento SUV — the latter having a new hybrid variant launched not too long ago. We’re checking out the top-of-the-line SX variant here, which writer Cesar Guiderone Miguel was able to try. You can check his story, here. 

Its front end boasts the latest iteration of the brand’s iconic Tiger Nose grille flanked by Kia’s Star Map signature LED multi-reflector headlamps. It also comes with the Star Map signature LED daytime running lamps and LED fog lamps. 

Onto its sides are parallel bodylines that go well with its robust claddings. These — much like those found on the Toyota Raize — can be found on the wheel arches and the lower part of its doors. These seem to merge with the Kia Sonet’s front and rear bumpers, hugging the crossover. 

Likewise, it also has blacked-out pillars. 

The back side of the vehicle also gets combination taillamps, which are connected by a horizontal light bar. The rear glass appears adequate with a discreet spoiler mounted to the roof. 

Below are some of its notable exterior features: 

• Electric side mirrors
• Roof rails 
• Chrome beltline molding 
• body-colored door handles 
• 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 radial tires

Interior 

The cabin of the Kia Sonet is surprisingly opulent. 

Noticeable are its leather-wrapped seats with perforation and decent bolstering. The same brown trims are applied to the door cards while the steering wheel and the gear shifter boot get black leather upholstery. 

Past the aforementioned steering wheel is a 10.25-inch digital LCD instrument panel. Sitting at the center of the dashboard is a similarly sized (10.25 inches) touchscreen infotainment system. 

These feel premium and elevate the cabin atmosphere of the subcompact crossover. 

Here are some of its cabin amenities: 

• Day and night interior rearview mirror 
• Remote keyless entry with push start button 
• Wireless charger 
• Single automatic air conditioning system with rear vents 

Engine

Under its hood is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with Kia’s intelligent variable transmission. Here are the numbers produced by the said powertrain system: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	113
Maximum torque (in Nm)	144

 

Safety

Kia also gave the Sonet a decent suite of safety features. Below are its standard technologies: 

• Anti-lock braking 
• Electronic stability control 
• Hill-start assist 
• Rear camera 
• Parking sensors 

It also comes with advanced driver assist systems, which we have listed here: 

• Cruise control 
• Lane keeping assist 
• Lane following assist 
• Forward collision avoidance assist 
• Downhill brake control 
• High beam assist 
• Driver attention warning 

Variants, pricing 

The Kia Sonet is offered in four variants. They come with the following price tags: 

Kia Sonet LX MT	P758,000
Kia Sonet LX AT	P888,000
Kia Sonet EX AT	P998,000
Kia Sonet SX AT	P1.158 million

 

Geely GX3 Pro 

Another viable alternative to the Toyota Raize is the Geely GX3 Pro. 

To note, the company reaffirmed its commitment to its Filipino customers after its relaunch last week. While it presented refreshed versions of the Geely Emgrand and Coolray, the GX3 Pro remains unchanged. 

With that said, we will be looking at the crossover’s Comfort variant, which the author was able to spend some time with a while back. You can check out the full review, here. 

Exterior 

The Geely GX3 Pro — unlike the two previously mentioned crossovers — looks curvy with a handful of contours around its body. Striking is the mustache-like trim, which sits right under its grille. 

Its sides are adorned with black plastic wheel wells, side sill garnishes, and protective door covers at the bottom. The B-pillars are also finished in black. 

On the back of the Geely GX3 Pro is a sporty spoiler that comes with a third brake lamp in the middle. Under the rear glass are combination taillamps with the “GEELY” script in the middle. Lastly, the bumper echoes the design language offered by the crossover at the fore. 

Here are its other exterior features: 

• Projector halogen headlamps with automatic headlight control 
• Power side mirrors with defrost function 
• Glass-printed antenna 
• Satin silver roof rails 
• Dark six-inch alloy wheels with 205/60 tires 

Interior 

The cabin of the Geely GX3 Pro offers decent features. 

Facing the driver is an instrument cluster that combines both analog and a digital screen. It is accompanied by an eight-inch infotainment system. 

Making up for the analog instrument panel and the lack of Apple Carplay and Android Auto are seats, center armrest, gear shifter boot, and door trims covered in PVC material as well as a leather-wrapped multi-functional steering wheel. 

Check out some of its notable interior features, here: 

• Sunroof 
• Six speakers
• Electronic air conditioning system 

Engine 

Delivering decent power is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. The powerplant is matched with a CVT. Here’s how much power it makes: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	102
Maximum torque (in Nm)	142

 

Safety

When it comes to safety, the Geely GX3 Pro comes with adequate technologies. Here are its features: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Anti-lock braking
• Electronic brake-force distribution 
• Traction control 
• Stability control 
• Hill start assist 
• Hill descent control 
• Reverse camera 
• Rear parking sensors 
• Cruise control
• Low tire pressure warning 

Variants, pricing 

The Geely GX3 Pro remains listed as a two-variant model. Here are their sticker prices: 

Geely GX3 Pro S	P778,000
Geely GX3 Pro Comfort	P878,000

 

MG ZS

Last on our list is the Morris Garages (MG) ZS. The crossover’s lineup was recently refreshed as reported by our Managing Editor Fort Manahan. You may check out the article, here. 

Exterior 

The MG ZS banks on its English heritage and appears to stick to its guns, design-wise. On that note, it flaunts a stylish honeycomb grille with the large MG emblem sitting in the middle. It is bordered by sleek-looking headlamps with daytime running lights and a pair of fog lamps. 

Its sides come with protective covers on the wheel arches, side sills, and doors. Like other crossovers, it also has blacked-out pillars and a pair of roof rails. It also gets a set of 17-inch two-tone Tomahawk-style wheels with 205/60 series tires. 

At the back, the MG ZS gets a small spoiler (with a brake lamp), a decent-sized window, combination lamps, and a sporty-looking bumper with chrome accents mimicking a dual exhaust pipe layout. 

Here are some of its other features: 

• Chrome trim on beltline 
• Body-colored door handles 
• Emblem-integrated rear hatch lever

Interior 

Inside, the MG ZS packs leather-style seats, steering wheel, and door panels. Its interior also has faux carbon fiber appliques to round up its sporty look. 

Drivers are given a digital instrument cluster paired with a 10-inch floating infotainment system. 

Here are its other interior appointments: 

• Push start ignition system
• Electronic air conditioning unit 
• Sunroof 

Engine 

As for its powerplant, the MG ZS uses a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine married to a CVT. Here are its capabilities: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	112
Maximum torque (in Nm)	150

 

Safety

In terms of safety, the MG ZS comes with the following features: 

• Anti-lock braking 
• Electronic brake distribution 
• Hill hold control 
• Traction control 
• Vehicle dynamic control 
• Brake disc wiping 
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Reverse camera, sensors
• Automated parking assist 

Variants, pricing 

At the time of writing, the MG ZS is offered in five variants. Below are their prices: 

MG ZS Style MT	P848,888
MG ZS Style AT	P898,888
MG ZS Comfort CVT	P918,888
MG ZS Alpha AT	P1.048 million
MG ZS Luxury CVT	P1.088 million

 

Also read:

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