6 interesting things about the Toyota Raum in Tanzania

The Toyota Raum, one of the most imported cars from Japan, is increasingly becoming a common sight on the streets of Tanzania. At some point you wonder whether the car is a freebie or it’s actually for sale. You cannot move for barely five minutes without seeing one. But what exactly is it with this car that has made it a common sight in Dar es Salaam and other parts of Tanzania? Carfromjapan.com explores why.

Things About The Toyota Raum In Tanzania 

Toyota Raum – a compact hatchback was manufactured from 1997 to 2011 and after that, it has been no longer in production. Toyota Raum was mainly sold in the Japanese market, however, it has gained popularity in other markets as a practical and affordable vehicle including New Zealand and some African countries (Tanzania). Raum Here are 6 key factors we can’t ignore when talking about this Toyota model: 

1. Affordability

In the first place, the Toyota Raum is one of the most affordable cars in the region. To many first-time car owners in Tanzania, this comes in handy whether accessed by self-importing or picked it up from the bond.

2. Small yet big

Two, the idea of having something small yet big is what drives many Tanzanians to run for the Toyota Raum. It has a relatively spacious interior and broader boot. It is capable of working as  a family car with ample room for any additional merchandise on board. The term “raum” reminds me of the German word “raum” which means space or room. For many Tanzanian Raum owners, size is one of the key factors why they buy it.

3. Attractive aesthetics

Although embraced by men, women find this little car appealing because of its attractive custom colors, and fancy look. So for a typical Tanzanian Msichana – lady the Toyota Raum is a dream come true. It is the kind of car that does not segregate between occasions. You can go with it at university, park it outside your workplace, and still show up with it at a friend’s wedding party without having to regret anything.

4. Value for money

With a Raum, it being a car in high demand, owning one guarantees you a high resale value whenever you feel like selling. Many Raum owners testify to this. Some sell their Raum cars only to upgrade to the latest model.

5. Low fuel consumption

Additionally, many Raum owners in Tanzania, they pride in the car’s fuel efficiency which is a typical attribute for most small cars as well.

6. Other attributes

Conclusively, the Toyota Raum just like any other modern car comes with other attributes like air conditioning, airbags, parking sensors and a few other standard attributes of a modern car:

• Engine options: The Raum offered a range of engine options throughout its production years. The most common engine choices were small-displacement gasoline engines, typically ranging from 1.3 to 1.5 liters in displacement. Some models were also available with a 1.4-liter diesel engine.
• Transmission: The most common transmission option for the Raum was a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, depending on the model and market, it could also be equipped with a conventional automatic or a manual transmission.
• Safety Features: The safety features of the Toyota Raum vary depending on the model year and market. However, typical safety features included front airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and traction control.

So the next time you storm the streets of Tanzania, do not wonder why, the car is simply in vogue.

Watch more:

Looking to buy a Toyota Raum or any other car? View our stock list here www.carfromjapan.com