What is a Hybrid Car and why choose Toyota?

If you’ve been thinking about buying a new car, you may be interested in a hybrid. Hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular and more people are choosing them over other options when making this important purchase. Let's take a closer look at what makes hybrid cars different from other kinds of vehicles and why you should choose one from CMI Toyota.

What is a hybrid car?

Not to be confused with electric vehicles that run solely on a rechargeable electric battery, a hybrid car is a vehicle that uses two or more power sources. 

They are part electric, part fuel. 

Hybrid vehicles typically use an internal combustion engine and an electric motor together, offering a number of benefits over cars powered solely by petrol or electric alone.

How does a hybrid car work?

A hybrid car’s internal combustion engine works just like that of any other petrol-powered car. But its electric motor and the batteries that power it are not typically charged using an external charging port like you’d see on 100% electric vehicles. 

Instead, they’re charged automatically through regenerative braking, meaning instead of wasting the excess energy the car exerts when you decelerate or brake, the car puts that energy to good use.

When you decelerate or brake in a hybrid car, the excess energy is captured and sent back to an internal battery, which in turn, powers the electric motor. 

Hybrid cars can be operated in one of three modes: EV (electric vehicle), HEV (hybrid electric vehicle), or ICE (internal combustion engine). The EV and HEV modes allow for greater fuel efficiency and less CO2 emissions than a traditional gas-powered car. 

In order to switch between these modes, a hybrid vehicle uses an electronic control system to cmimonitor the driver's inputs and automatically switch between the different power sources depending on what's needed at any given moment.

For more information on how Toyota hybrid cars work, check out the following video:

What are the benefits of a hybrid car?

There are several benefits to owning a hybrid car, including the following:

• Increases your fuel efficiency. When driving in EV mode, you’re dramatically reducing the amount of petrol you burn. In fact, in city driving situations where you don’t need tons of power, you can rely almost exclusively on EV mode, saving you a lot of money on petrol. 
• Improves performance. Hybrids accelerate faster due to the electric motor’s ability to provide instant torque at low speeds, while the ICE mode allows for increased performance on the open road. The electric motor can also supplement the ICE when extra power is needed, such as when driving uphill or accelerating.
• Reduces your emissions. In general, hybrid cars emit less CO2 than similarly-specced petrol-powered cars. 
• Reduces noise pollution. With quieter engines and better aerodynamics, hybrid vehicles create less wind noise than standard non-hybrid vehicles, especially in ‘stop-start’ driving conditions where acceleration is frequently needed.

What is the best hybrid car in Australia?

If you’re looking for a new hybrid car in Australia, we’re proud to say that Toyota has snagged the Top 4 spots on Canstar’s list of Australia’s Best Hybrid Cars in 2022, with the RAV4 Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, and Yaris Cross Hybrid. 

So, depending on your tastes and preferences, Toyota has a hybrid model for everyone.

How is Toyota advancing hybrid technology?

Toyota has been leading the way in hybrid technology since 1998, when the Prius Hybrid launched in Japan and became the first commercially successful hybrid vehicle in the modern era.

Leading the way with its commitment towards a cleaner, greener future for all Australians, Toyota intends to change the green vehicle landscape, and its hybrid technology is just one way the company is doing that. 

It’s all part of Toyota's larger plans to bring more electrified vehicles to all Australians. In fact, Toyota Australia plans to release three new electric vehicles in the next three years and has indicated that by 2025, electrified vehicles including EVs, hybrids and other technologies will account for more than half of its sales. We can't wait to offer you the range of Toyota electric vehicles!

Toyota’s hybrid car range

Toyota recognises that drivers want the comfort of driving the same cars that they’ve grown to love, combined with the performance improvements of hybrid technology. That’s why Toyota’s range of hybrid vehicles is constantly growing and now includes hybrid versions of its most popular vehicles. 

They include:

RAV4 Hybrid

The RAV4 Hybrid is Australia’s best-selling hybrid vehicle, and for good reason. This cross-over compact SUV is completely versatile, perfect for people across all walks of life and has plenty of cargo room. Now with the hybrid version, it can accomplish pretty much all your city driving on electric power alone. 

Corolla Hybrid

Before SUVs took over, the Corolla was Australia’s best-selling passenger vehicle. Still wildly popular, it was only natural that Toyota would release a hybrid version. It’s now one of the only small hybrid cars available in Australia, making it practical, affordable, convenient and very efficient. Choose between sedan and hatch variants.

Camry Hybrid

As one of Australia’s most popular mid-size sedans, it was a no-brainer to release a hybrid version. Spacious, comfortable, easy to drive and efficient, the Camry Hybrid is your perfect next family vehicle. 

Yaris Cross Hybrid

According to CarsGuide, the Yaris Cross Hybrid is Australia’s only hybrid light SUV. It’s perfectly suited to navigating inner city environments, because of its smaller form factor, exceptional safety rating and ability to rely on the electric motor’s urban prowess.

Kluger Hybrid

The Kluger Hybrid is one of Australia’s only 7-seater hybrids, with a high safety rating, great fuel mileage and lots of features. So if you want to cut costs and cut emissions in a vehicle that fits a growing family, this one’s for you.

Yaris Hybrid

The small-footprint Yaris has been upgraded to Toyota’s TNGA-B architecture and a new engine in the same tiny package. And now the hybrid version adds all of the efficiency benefits hybrids bring to the table. It’s the perfect ‘first car’ for those who also want to cut costs and emissions.

C-HR Hybrid

The stylish, sporty C-HR now has something else going for it, hybrid versions of its Koba and GR-Sport variants. So if you’re looking for a quiet, refined car that can handle the inner city like a boss, while also giving you that sporty feel, the CH-R Hybrid is for you. 

Corolla Cross Hybrid

With the soaring popularity of SUVs, the Corolla Cross Hybrid offers yet another option, sitting between the Yaris Cross Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with this light SUV boasting the Corrolla badge and all the benefits of a hybrid vehicle.

Bottom line

As you can see, Toyota offers a wide range of hybrid vehicles for Australians from all walks of life. You can choose from a more compact option like the Yaris Hybrid to a large 7-seater SUV like the Kluger Hybrid, or all options in between.

So if you’re looking for a car that’s not only fun to drive but also one that looks good and is environmentally friendly, find your next Toyota Hybrid at CMI Toyota.

Discover the Toyota Hybrid range here