[CAR REVIEW] User Feedback on the Toyota Hybrid Experience

Since 1997, Toyota has sold 22 million electric cars globally, helping to reduce 165 million tons of CO2 emissions. Currently, Toyota is the largest manufacturer of electric cars, offering over 60 models and selling more than 2 million cars per year. Among these models, they have 48 self-charging Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV).

In the Vietnamese market, Toyota introduced the mass-market Hybrid segment in August 2020 with the Corolla Cross. Following that, they launched hybrid versions of the Camry and Altis twins in 2021 and 2022 respectively. After 3 years of development, the hybrid car community in Vietnam is growing rapidly, with thousands of users all over the country.

To provide accurate and realistic views of Toyota hybrid cars, this article features feedback from actual car owners. Two owners, Mr. Dao Binh Thin, who owns a Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid, and Mr. Tran Thanh Tung, who owns a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, will share their experiences.

Reasons for Choosing Toyota Hybrid Cars

As a teacher living in a mountainous province, Mr. Binh Thin has years of experience using cars. He initially chose a 2015 Corolla Altis for himself. Later, to meet the family’s travel needs, he and his wife opted for a Mazda CX-5 with high ground clearance.

However, this year, Mr. Thin added another Corolla Altis Hybrid to their collection to fulfill their daily commuting needs in the city.

Explaining his decision to choose the Corolla Altis Hybrid, Mr. Thin said, “In terms of technology, the Corolla Altis is superior to its competitors. Not only does it have hybrid propulsion technology, but it also comes with Toyota Safety Sense active safety technology, giving the car an edge over competitors from South Korea or even fellow Japanese brand Mazda. This attracted me to the Corolla Altis Hybrid. When studying the global market, I felt more reassured knowing that hybrid engines have a proven track record in demanding markets like the US and Europe. Personally, I had longed to experience this technology.”

For young customer Tran Thanh Tung, before choosing the Corolla Cross Hybrid, he considered buying the Ford Everest 4×2. However, what impressed him the most about Toyota hybrid models was their fuel efficiency. Tung shared that the main reason he chose the Corolla Cross was because it had Hybrid technology.

User Reviews of Toyota Hybrid Cars

About Hybrid Technology: After using hybrid cars for some time, both Mr. Binh Thin and Thanh Tung have overcome their initial concerns. They affirm that driving a hybrid car is not more complex or difficult compared to driving a gasoline car. The main difference is that when starting the car, the gasoline engine remains inactive, and the car draws energy from the battery to run in electric mode (EV mode). When accelerating, the gasoline engine activates to supply energy to the battery and provide additional power to the car.

About Performance: When in motion, the hybrid car runs smoothly and silently, without the noise typically associated with conventional gasoline cars. At high speeds, the car relies on the electric motor system and inertia for motion, resulting in a smooth and quiet ride. The transition between the gasoline engine and the electric motor is controlled by an intelligent control system.

About Durability: Mr. Thin mentioned that a Corolla Altis Hybrid costs about 90 million VND more than its gasoline counterpart. However, the hybrid car is up to 50% more fuel-efficient.

Additionally, Mr. Thanh Tung shared that the maintenance costs for the car at milestones such as 3,000km and 5,000km are very manageable, ranging from only 500,000 to 700,000 VND. Even at major maintenance milestones like 20,000km or 30,000km, the costs are still relatively low, ranging from 1 to 2 million VND, which can be cheaper than regular gasoline car maintenance.

About Safety: Alongside hybrid technology, the active safety features in the Toyota Safety Sense package are noteworthy. Thanh Tung shared that no one can be 100% focused while driving, as distractions are always present. This is where the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) comes into effect. TSS enables the driver to have more peace of mind and makes the driving process easier and less stressful, especially during long journeys.

Mr. Binh Thin mentioned that the comprehensive view provided by the new design minimizes blind spots, making the driving experience more convenient and safer.

Areas for Improvement in Toyota Hybrid Cars

Although Toyota hybrid cars have received positive feedback, there is always room for improvement. Mr. Binh Thin suggested that if the soundproofing ability of the Corolla Altis Hybrid could be enhanced, it would be a truly outstanding car in all aspects rather than its current rating of 9.5/10. As for the Corolla Cross Hybrid, Mr. Thanh Tung mentioned that the car could improve on the rear suspension system to enhance comfort. He currently rates the car 8.5/10 based on his subjective evaluation.

To Nhu (Tuoitrethudo)