Zilizotumika Toyota Ractis inauzwa

The Toyota Ractis is a 5-seater mini MVP manufactured by both Toyota and Kanto Auto Works. Introduced in October 2005, it mimicked the style of the Vitz and followed by the Yaris Verso.

It is a compact hatchback that has a huge fan following in many Asian and African countries. There are plenty of Toyota Ractis for sale in Kenya and other countries at reasonable prices.

The Toyota Ractis: Model History

If you are looking for a Toyota Ractis for sale, you should know its history to determine the right model for you. The 1st gen (from 2005 to 2010) cars were sold only in Japan but the sales were started in Hong Kong too from October 2009.

The 2nd gen (from 2010 to 2017) cars were renamed as Toyota Verso-S. The model is available in two engine versions - 1.3L and 1.5L. With the Verso-S, Toyota reentered the B-MPV segment in the European market.

The automaker ended the production and sales of Ractis in 2016 but continued the production of the Verso-S for the European market until 2017.

A Brief Review of Toyota Ractis

The main competitors of Toyota Ractis were Honda Fit and Nissan Note. The Ractis gained instant popularity due to its fuel economy, roomy interior, and budget-friendly maintenance. The cargo capacity can be adjusted according to your needs - carrying passengers or hauling luggage.

Exterior

The Ractis is a well-designed, stylish hatchback. It dons a sporty look with the narrow grille and sharp headlights. However, the alloy rims look much better than the models that feature steel rims. The slanted bonnet has two groove lines forming a V shape. The lines from two sides meet in the center of the front side.

You can spot the Toyota Ractis new shape in later models. The car has a streamlined structure that is pleasing to look at.

Interior

The comfort factor of the Ractis is one of the reasons for the car’s huge popularity. There are inside grab rails from front to back for easy entering and exit and side-hinged rear door for avoiding banging the head.

You cannot adjust the height of the driver’s seat but the option is available for the steering wheel. There are a few cubbies for the driver to stow accessories.

The newer version of Ractis, aka the Verso-S, comes with few bells and whistles that anyone will appreciate. Look for a 2nd gen Toyota Ractis for sale because it is much quieter than the previous versions. The sound damping technology prevents engine sound annoying the passengers and the small door mirrors cut wind noise significantly.

The amenities include a keyless entry, radio, CD player, six airbags, and GPS navigation.

The rear seats are foldable but the process takes a bit physical strength. They tuck away under the front row seats, leaving a huge, even space for stashing cargo. There are tie-hooks to keep the luggage and other stuff in place.

Interior & Cargo Space

The Toyota Ractis is an excellent choice for both family and business purposes due to its roomy cabin, high roof, and generous cargo capacity.

The seats have an elevated position to offer excellent outside views. Even a tall person won’t feel awkward due to the high roof. There is plenty of storage space in the cabin for storing accessories like beverages, purses, smartphones, and more. The cabin has storage on the door pockets while there are four cupholders, a center box, a glovebox, and storage space on the door panels and below the dashboard for those sitting in the front row.

The car has a roomy interior.

The Ractis is one of those small hatchbacks that have a huge cargo area. Only a few hatchbacks can match the 429L of boot space and you can expand it by folding the rear seats. You can compare the car with a mini-van due to the huge cargo space.

Engine Specs & Fuel Economy

The earlier Ractis models have two engine versions - the 1.3L 2SZ 2WD and 1.5L 1NZ 4WD. The engine in the two-wheel-drive model is a four-cylinder and the fuel system features a multi-point fuel injection. It is the most popular version of Ractis.

The Verso-S model is available in two engine options - 1.3L gasoline and 1.4L D-4D turbo diesel. Both engine variation is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. There is also a CVT featuring a seven-speed sequential paddle shift mode variation for the 1.3L engine.

The 1.3L engine produces a 42.8 mpg fuel economy while it is 54.7 mpg for the 1.4L unit. The carbon emission rate is 127 g/km and 113 g/km, respectively.

Driving & Handling

The steering is a letdown because it is light and slow so the drivers won’t have much ‘feel’ while driving at a normal speed. However, you will still get plenty of grips if you ever need to hustle through making a turn.

The handling of the car feels stable but does not ooze that much confidence at higher speeds. It produces understeer when passing through the bends. This is unlikely to be a problem when driving at normal speeds.

The 1.3L engine version performs slightly less than the 1.4L unit. It struggles to speed up when the car is fully loaded. It suits better the urban conditions where high performance and speed are not that much important. If you are looking a car for heavy hauling and long road trips, choose the 1.4L version.

In a word, the Toyota Ractis is an excellent choice for mature drivers who prefer comfort and safety more than showing off on the roads. Also, you can use the car for both business and family purposes, which is a huge plus point.

Toyota Ractis Price

The Ractis has a good resale value, like all Toyota models. You can purchase a used car at around $1,000 but the price can be around $20,000 too depending on the year model, mileage, and other conditions. If you want a Toyota Ractis for sale, there are plenty of stores that sell secondhand Ractis at good conditions and reasonable prices.