Toyota Raum: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Toyota Raum choice comes down to generation, output, drive type, kerb weight, and rear-suspension layout. Every listed Raum is a Compact Van with a 1.5 AT powertrain: a 1496 cc naturally aspirated Gasoline engine, four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, multi-point distributed injection, and a four-speed Automatic gearbox.
The Toyota Raum choice comes down to generation, output, drive type, kerb weight, and rear-suspension layout. Every listed Raum is a Compact Van with a 1.5 AT powertrain: a 1496 cc naturally aspirated Gasoline engine, four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, multi-point distributed injection, and a four-speed Automatic gearbox. The first generation, produced from May 1997 to April 2003, offers 91 hp AWD and 94 hp FWD versions. The second generation, produced from May 2003 to October 2011, offers 105 hp AWD plus 109 hp FWD and AWD versions. On the supplied numbers, the 109 hp FWD second-generation model is the strongest all-round choice because it combines the joint-highest output with the lowest kerb weight in its generation. The 109 hp AWD version is the more compelling AWD option if maximum listed speed and independent rear suspension matter.
Toyota Raum generations: old model or new model?
The Toyota Raum old model is the first-generation Compact Van, available from May 1997 through April 2003 in two 1.5 AT versions. Its 1496 cc engine produces either 91 hp and 129 Nm with AWD or 94 hp and 132 Nm with FWD. Both use 92 fuel, have 150 mm of ground clearance, and carry 45-litre fuel tanks. The FWD version weighs 1100 kg, while the AWD version weighs 1200 kg. Choosing FWD therefore brings 3 hp and 3 Nm more while reducing kerb weight by 100 kg.
The Toyota Raum new model in this catalogue is the second-generation Compact Van, available from May 2003 through October 2011 in three 1.5 AT versions. The choices are 105 hp with AWD, 109 hp with FWD, and 109 hp with AWD. Torque is 138 Nm in the 105 hp version and 141 Nm in both 109 hp versions. Kerb weights range from 1150 to 1220 kg, while ground clearance is either 140 or 150 mm. This generation raises output over the first-generation equivalents, although the precise comparison depends on the drive version selected.
A Toyota Raum 2004 belongs to the second generation because that generation began in May 2003. The data does not identify separate model-year specifications within the generation, so the second-generation version specifications below are the appropriate catalogue reference rather than unsupported year-specific claims.
Toyota Raum engine specs and version comparison
| Generation and exact version | Output | Torque | Engine | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 1.5 AT, 91 hp | 91 hp at 5400 rpm | 129 Nm at 4400 rpm | 1496 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| First generation — 1.5 AT, 94 hp | 94 hp at 5400 rpm | 132 Nm at 4400 rpm | 1496 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 105 hp | 105 hp at 6000 rpm | 138 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1496 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 109 hp, FWD | 109 hp at 6000 rpm | 141 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1496 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 109 hp, AWD | 109 hp at 6000 rpm | 141 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1496 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
Every Toyota Raum engine in the supplied specifications has the same 1496 cc capacity. The first-generation engine has a 9.8 compression ratio and a 74 × 87 mm bore and stroke. Its specific output is approximately 60.8 hp per litre in the 91 hp AWD version and 62.8 hp per litre in the 94 hp FWD version.
The second-generation engine has a 10.5 compression ratio and a 75 × 84.7 mm bore and stroke. Specific output rises to approximately 70.2 hp per litre for the 105 hp AWD version and 72.9 hp per litre for either 109 hp version. Compared with the corresponding first-generation drive layouts, the second-generation FWD model adds 15 hp and 9 Nm, while the 105 hp AWD model adds 14 hp and 9 Nm. The 109 hp AWD specification adds 18 hp and 12 Nm over the first-generation AWD version.
Toyota Raum performance, fuel consumption and mpg
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Toyota Raum version. Top speed is also not measured for the first-generation 91 hp AWD and 94 hp FWD versions, or for the second-generation 105 hp AWD and 109 hp FWD versions. The second-generation 1.5 AT with 109 hp and AWD has a measured maximum speed of 170 km/h.
Toyota Raum fuel consumption is not measured for city, highway, or combined driving in any of the five supplied version records. Consequently, Toyota Raum mpg is not measured as well. No consumption estimate can be derived solely from engine capacity, drive type, or kerb weight.
All versions have a 45-litre fuel tank. The first-generation versions and the second-generation 105 hp AWD and 109 hp FWD versions specify 92 fuel. The second-generation 109 hp AWD version specifies 95 fuel.
Toyota Raum dimensions, weight and ground clearance
Exterior length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data, so a complete Toyota Raum dimensions or size comparison cannot be made. Wheel sizes are also not measured for any version. Gross weight is not measured for any version.
| Generation and exact version | Kerb weight | Weight per horsepower | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 1.5 AT, 91 hp | 1200 kg | 13.19 kg/hp | 150 mm | 45 litres | not measured | not measured |
| First generation — 1.5 AT, 94 hp | 1100 kg | 11.70 kg/hp | 150 mm | 45 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 105 hp | 1220 kg | 11.62 kg/hp | 140 mm | 45 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 109 hp, FWD | 1150 kg | 10.55 kg/hp | 150 mm | 45 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation — 1.5 AT, 109 hp, AWD | 1190 kg | 10.92 kg/hp | 150 mm | 45 litres | not measured | not measured |
The second-generation 109 hp FWD version has the best calculated weight-to-power ratio at approximately 10.55 kg/hp. The 109 hp AWD version follows at approximately 10.92 kg/hp, and the 105 hp AWD version records approximately 11.62 kg/hp. Among the old-model choices, the 94 hp FWD version’s approximately 11.70 kg/hp is substantially better than the 91 hp AWD version’s approximately 13.19 kg/hp.
Drive type is not the only difference between the second-generation AWD specifications. The 105 hp AWD version is 30 kg heavier than the 109 hp AWD version, produces 4 hp and 3 Nm less, and has 10 mm less ground clearance. The 109 hp AWD version also has Independent, spring rear suspension, whereas the 105 hp AWD version has Semi-independent, spring rear suspension.
Every version has Independent, spring front suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. The first-generation versions and the second-generation 105 hp AWD and 109 hp FWD versions use Semi-independent, spring rear suspension. The second-generation 109 hp AWD version alone is listed with Independent, spring rear suspension.
Toyota Raum problems, disadvantages and reliability
Mechanical problems and reliability results are not measured in the supplied data. Claims about failure rates, engine mounting durability, engine-oil capacity, repair prices, or recurring faults therefore cannot be supported here.
The specification trade-offs are measurable. The first-generation AWD version is 100 kg heavier and 3 hp weaker than its FWD counterpart. In the second generation, the 105 hp AWD version is 70 kg heavier than the 109 hp FWD version, has 4 hp and 3 Nm less, and loses 10 mm of ground clearance. The 109 hp AWD model avoids that clearance disadvantage and weighs only 40 kg more than the 109 hp FWD model, but it specifies 95 fuel instead of 92.
Which Toyota Raum version should you buy?
For the strongest balance of output and kerb weight, choose the second-generation 1.5 AT with 109 hp and FWD. It has 141 Nm, weighs 1150 kg, retains 150 mm of ground clearance, and delivers the range’s best calculated ratio of approximately 10.55 kg per horsepower. It is 70 kg lighter than the 105 hp AWD version while producing 4 hp and 3 Nm more.
For AWD, the second-generation 1.5 AT with 109 hp is the specification-led choice. Compared with the other second-generation AWD version, it is 30 kg lighter, produces 4 hp and 3 Nm more, adds 10 mm of ground clearance, and changes the rear suspension from Semi-independent, spring to Independent, spring. It is also the only version with a measured top speed, at 170 km/h. Its stated fuel is 95 rather than 92.
For an old-model FWD Raum, the first-generation 1.5 AT with 94 hp is preferable on the supplied performance-related numbers. It has 3 hp and 3 Nm more than the first-generation AWD version, weighs 100 kg less, and retains the same 150 mm ground clearance and 45-litre tank.
For an old-model buyer who specifically requires AWD, the first-generation 1.5 AT with 91 hp is the relevant choice, but its 1200 kg kerb weight and approximately 13.19 kg/hp ratio make it the least favourable power-to-weight specification in the range. Overall, the data points first to the second-generation 109 hp FWD version, or to the second-generation 109 hp AWD version when AWD is the deciding requirement.