Toyota Vitz vs Ractis Comparison

Both Vitz and Ractis are known as reliable models from Toyota and we are going to review them today. Both help as town trip cars that are suitable for people looking for a fuel-economy car. From exterior and interior to finalizing which one you should go for, we are going to make the review smooth and easy. 

N.B: Prices are reflective of average BE FORWARD pricing as of February 2024.

Toyota VitzToyota Ractis
Capacity/Doors3-5 doors/5 seating5 seats/4 doors
Torque121 Nm / 89 ft.lb / 12.3 kgm @ 4000 rpm116 Nm – 141 Nm @ 6000 rpm.
Top Speed180 km/h180 km/h
0-100 km/h14.5 secs11.5sec – 12.5sec
Max Power95 PS / 94 bhp / 70 kW @ 6000 rpm87- 110ps
Engine1.0L – 1.5L1.2L -1.5L
Fuel Tank Capacity42L42L
Key FeaturesDual airbags, ABS, power steering, central locking

system, front fog light, steering adjustment,

USB connection, AC, power door locks
Navigation. Push to Start, Wickle side mirror, 2 Cup

holder at the center, Auto – Manual gear for some

variants, Cigarette lighter, A/C, 2 Airbags
GearboxCVTCVT
Fuel Consumption20.6 Km/L16-20km/L
Length x Width x Height3.88×1.69×1.51 m3.955m x 1.585m – 1.66m x 1.695m
BE FORWARD PRICEUSD 610 – 36,700USD 680 – 12,030

Toyota Ractis

The production of the Toyota Ractis started in 2005 and instantly became a hit in African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. The Ractis is better, bigger, more efficient, and more luxurious. The Ractis have big space thanks to the high roof and the ability to flat-fold the back seats to create more cargo space, all of which have proven to be unbeatable.

Performance and prices of the Ractis vary significantly depending on the model year. Please compare the differences from the following blog.

People also read:
Toyota Ractis Review: 2005-2011 Model Features Improvement and Changes

Toyota Vitz

The Toyota Vitz is reasonably alike to the Toyota Ractis in size. In the first row, the cabin is sufficient for people of normal height but a tall driver will find the space a bit small. In the second row, the legroom is practical and ideal for short urban travels.

The Vitz has been a beloved model for many years, evolving significantly in fuel efficiency, safety performance, and more each year. Be sure to check out the following blog as well.

People also read:
Toyota Vitz 2001-2010 Model Year Differences, Improvements and Features

Fuel Consumption

Toyota Ractis

Toyota Ractis merter

There are two generations of the Ractis, with the first (NCP/XP100) produced from 2005 to 2010 and the second (NCP/XP120) from 2010 to 2017. The NCP100 was fitted with a Toyota/Daihatsu jointly produced 1.3-liter 2SZ-FE with fuel consumption of 18.4 km/L or the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE with fuel consumption of 18.2 km/L while the NCP120 came fitted with a more efficient 1.3-liter 1NR-FE with a fuel consumption rate of 20.82 km/L or a re-tuned 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE with a fuel consumption rate of 18.5 km/L.

Toyota Ractis powered by a 1.3L (1290cc) engine consumes 18.2km/L on average while the consumption of Toyota Ractis with a 1.5L (1490cc) engine is expected to be 15.2Km/L on average.

Toyota Vitz

Toyota Vitz merter

Toyota Vitz’s fuel consumption is approximately 21.8km/L for the Toyota Vitz linked with a 1.0L (990cc) engine while the Vitz with 1.5L (1490cc) is around 18km/L.

If you want to know about fuel-efficient Toyota cars, please read the article below!

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14 Toyota Cars with Great Fuel Economy

Engine and Transmission

Toyota Ractis

GeneratiobnYear of productionEngine/TransmissionPower in hpTorque in lb-ft/N-m
1st generation2005 – 20071.3-liter 2SZ-FE/CVT & AT10790/122
1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT & AT110104/141
2nd generation2010 – 20161.3-liter 1NR-FE/CVT & AT11697/132
1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT & AT110105/143

Generation Year of production Engine/Transmission Power in hp Torque in lb-ft/N-m 1st generation 1999 to 2005 1.0-liter 1SZ-FE/CVT or AT 70 hp 70/95 1.3-liter 2SZ-FE/CVT or AT 107 90/122 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT or AT 110 104/141

2nd generation2005 – 2010 1.0-liter 1KR-FE/CVT or AT 70 69/94 1.3-liter 1NR-FE/CVT or AT 116 97/132 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT or AT 110 105/143 3rd generation 2010 to 2019 1.0-liter 1KR-FE/CVT or AT 70 69/94 1.3-liter 1NR-FE/CVT or ATl 116 97/132 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT, AT, or manual 110 105/143 1.5-liter 1NZ-FXE/eCVT 76 85/115

Toyota Ractis is powered by 2 engine options – either a 1.3L (2SZ-FE) I4 petrol engine or a 1.5L (1NZ-FE) I4 petrol engine linked with 4 speeds automatic with the CVT gearbox. Toyota Ractis with 1.3L (2SZ-FE) engine has an output of 87PS/64 kW (86 bhp) of power at 6000 rpm while the maximum torque of 86 lb. ft/11.8 km (116 N.m) at 4000 rpm. The power pushed from the engine to the wheels through a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Toyota Ractis, linked with (1490 cc) 1.5L 1NZ-FE engine has an output of 109 PS/80 kW (107.5 bhp) of power at 6000 rpm and its maximum torque of 100 lb. ft/13.9 km (136 N.m) at 4000 rpm. The power produced from this engine pushed the same as Toyota Ractis mated with 1.3L through a CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox.

Toyota Vitz

GeneratiobnYear of productionEngine/TransmissionPower in hpTorque in lb-ft/N-m
1st generation1999 – 20051.0-liter 1SZ-FE/CVT or AT7070/95
1.3-liter 2SZ-FE/CVT or AT10790/122
1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT or AT110104/141
2nd generation2005 – 20101.0-liter 1KR-FE/CVT or AT7069/94
1.3-liter 1NR-FE/CVT or AT11697/132
1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT or AT110105/143
3rd generation2010 – 20191.0-liter 1KR-FE/CVT or AT7069/94
1.3-liter 1NR-FE/CVT or ATl11697/132
1.5-liter 1NZ-FE/CVT, AT, or manual110105/143
1.5-liter 1NZ-FXE/eCVT7685/115

The Vitz is powered by 3 engine options. These are the (990cc) 1KR 1.0L engine, the (1290cc) 1NR 1.3L engine, and the (1490cc) 1NZ 1.5L engine. These are mated to a 4-speed automatic, or a CVT, or a 5-Speed manual transmission. It is available in both 2WD and 4WD. Toyota Vitz has a maximum speed of 180kph and gains in acceleration from 0-100kph in 11.7 sec for Toyota Vitz linked with 1.5L engine while the Toyota Vitz for 1.0L gains 15.3 sec.

People also read:
Toyota Vitz vs. Passo | Comparing Fuel Efficiency, Price, and Interior Features

Interior & Exterior Comparison

Toyota Ractis

Toyota Ractis Interior driving sheet

The Toyota Ractis has an excessive cabin storage booth that is useful for storing items such as documents, smartphones, handbags, beverages, etc. In the driver, the cabin comes with 4 bottle holders for some variants, the center-box, door panel storage, storage space below the dashboard, and a glove-box for some variants while the second row comes with a storage section on the door pockets.

Toyota Ractis Interior trunk

The Toyota Ractis marks highly in this group of hatchbacks and perhaps the largest boot space we have seen on hatchbacks. You can fold the back seats flat to create a large boot space when more space is needed. In this configuration, the Ractis is changed into a minivan car.

Toyota Vitz

Toyota Vitz frontsheet

On the outside, style is certainly part of it. Inside shows the true direction with nice materials and descriptions plus an upfront new instrument-panel design with the gauges directly in front of the driver.

Toyota Vitz drivingsheet

Storage options within the cabin include door pockets, a glovebox, cupholders, a center tray, and jacket pockets. 

The cargo area is enough for a week of groceries, and for extra space, you can fold flat the rear seats.

There are storage booths in the cabin that are valuable for keeping items such as documents, beverages, and smartphones. In the driver cockpit, there is a door panel storage, glovebox, 4 cupholders, and a center tray that extends to the back. 

For the second row cabin, the storage is on the front seat jacket pockets and the door pockets. For the seat outline, thanks to the flat floor because the second-row seat can be folded down when more space is needed for more luggage space.

Toyota Vitz trunk

For sub-compact, the cargo space is actually large and can accommodate good-sized luggage. If more space is needed, the rear seats must be folded flat. The boot space is enough for a family of 5 people. 

The Aqua is popular for its top-class fuel efficiency and practicality among Toyota vehicles. Be sure to check it out!

People also read:
Toyota Vitz vs Toyota Aqua Comparison

Writer’s Perspective for Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

kenya national flag
tanzania national flag
zimbabwe national flag

The Toyota Ractis and Vitz have been the car of choice for most car buyers in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, and this does not come as a surprise.

These are two great budget offerings from Toyota that are abundantly available on the used car market, relatively cheap to buy and run, reliable and efficient, compact on the outside but surprisingly spacious for their size inside, and very practical in urban areas where some roads can be narrow and parking space limited, add to that the availability of the environmentally friendly and super efficient Vitz hybrid what else would you ask for?

People also read:
Top 10 Most Popular Cars in Kenya

Most Popular Used Cars in Tanzania Under $1,600!

Best-Selling Car Models in Zimbabwe

The Verdict

The Toyota Vitz and Ractis were planned to take you places but each one has an advantage over the other in certain circumstances. These two cars’ wheelbase dimensions and exterior are almost the same, but the Toyota Ractis has a greater interior space with a cargo space that is more than that of the Vitz. Both are good cars but Toyota Vitz remains top at the markets with no hesitation in the Tanzanian market, while the Toyota Ractis is a simple car with advanced technology changes that came at a reasonable price. If you’re planning to import either of the two, be sure to visit BE FORWARD.

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