The Ultimate Guide to Hybrid ToyotasÂ
Since producing the first Prius in 1997, Toyota has sold more than fifteen million hybrid electric vehicles around the world, saving more than 118 million tonnes of CO2.
Toyota has more hybrid models in more marketing segments than any other car manufacturer. 20 in Europe and 40 globally. According to Toyota, one out of two cars sold in Europe in 2019 was a hybrid. 3 years later that share continues to grow.
Toyota has released multiple hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, made to suit every driver. But what is the difference between each? We have broken down each model and spec to make it easier to find the right hybrid Toyota for you! Hereâs what you need to know about each model.Â
Toyota Yaris & Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris has been a firm favourite for drivers for years. Now, itâs been adapted to a self-charging Hybrid
Available as the Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid is a 1.5L Petrol Hybrid vehicle engine that produces 116 horsepower. The Yaris has a top speed of 108 mph and can do 0-62mphin 9.7s.Â
Each of the different models of cars have slight tweaks in the spec, we have picked out 5 different features which sets the Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport apart.Â
Yaris Design Â
- ă»Privacy Glass.
- ă»Rear power windows.
- ă»8â infotainment system.Â
- ă»LED rear combination lights.
- ă»LED daytime running lights
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Excel
- ă»Front and rear intelligent parking sensor with automatic braking and clearance sonar.Â
- ă»6 speakersÂ
- ă»Blind-spot monitorÂ
- ă»Automatic retractable door mirrors
- ă»17â alloy wheelsÂ
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GR Sport
- ă»Suspension turning (GR Sport)Â
- ă»Sport seats
- ă»Reversing cameraÂ
- ă»Dual-zone automatic air conditioningÂ
- ă»18â alloy wheelsÂ
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Icon
- ă»Automatic air conditioningÂ
- ă»Auto wipersÂ
- ă»7â Pro Touch infotainment systemÂ
- ă»Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone connectivity
- ă»16â Chrome Alloy Wheels
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The Yaris Cross, a SUV packed with technology.Â
When choosing your Yaris Cross, there are two engine choices. The first choice is a 1.5 Petrol Hybrid engine with front wheel drive. This produced 116 horsepower and the MPG is between 54.3 and 64.1. With this engine choice, you get 5 different options: Icon, Design, Excel, Dynamic and Premiere Edition. Similar to the Yaris, each of these options have slightly different specs. The main differences include size and type of alloy wheels, infotainment system (either the 8â Toyota Touch 2 or 9â HD Toyota Smart Connect) and driverâs aids ranging from Adaptive Cruise Control to pre-collision systems.Â
The second choice of engine is also a 1.5 Petrol Hybrid but with âIntelligent All Wheel Driveâ. This produces 116 horsepower and the MPG is 55.3. With this engine, the Yaris Cross Dynamic is the one for you. The Dynamic is equipped with a 9-inch HD Toyota Smart Connect infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and navigation. The Dynamic also features âIntelligent Adaptive Cruise Controlâ and âdual-zone automatic air conditioningâ.
Just like the Toyota Yaris Cross, the C-HR has two different engine options. The first option is a 1.8L Petrol Hybrid engine with Front Wheel Drive. This produces 122 horsepower and the MPG is between 53.2 and 57.6. The second option is a 2.0L Petrol Hybrid engine with front wheel drive. This produces 184 horsepower and the MPG is between 49.5 and 53.2, making it a slightly more powerful engine.Â
If you chose the 1.8L option, you have the choice of the Icon, Design, Excel and the GR Sport. If you chose the 2.0L option, you have the choice of the Design, Excel and the GR Sport but not the Icon.
With 4 different options available, it can be difficult to decide which one to pick. These are 5 different features that set the Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport apart.Â
Icon
- ă»Lane Trace AssistÂ
- ă»8â Toyota Touch 2 infotainment systemÂ
- ă»Reversing CameraÂ
- ă»Dual-Zone automatic air conditioningÂ
- ă»Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone connectivityÂ
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DesignÂ
- ă»8â Toyota Smart Connect infotainment ă»system with Apple car playÂ
- ă»Heated seatsÂ
- ă»Front and rear parking sensorsÂ
- ă»Simple Intelligent Parking AssistÂ
- ă»Smart entry
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Excel
- ă»Heater steering wheelÂ
- ă»Puddle lightsÂ
- ă»Blind spot monitorsÂ
- ă»Adaptive front light system (LED)Â
- ă»18â Dark Chrome Alloy wheelsÂ
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GR Sport
- ă»GR Sport badging
- ă»GR Sport Scuff plates
- ă»GR Sport Rear DiffuserÂ
- ă»Smoke tinted headlightsÂ
- ă»Rear Cross Traffic AlertÂ
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Toyota Corolla Hatchback & Corolla Touring Sport
Just like the Yaris Cross and C-HR, the Corolla Hatchback has two different choices of engines:
- ă»1.8L Petrol Hybrid – 122hp – 55.3 to 62.7 MPG
- ă»2.0L Petrol Hybrid – 184hp – 50.4 to 57.6 MPGÂ
However, no matter which engine you choose all 5 different models are available. These are the Icon, Icon Tech, Design, GR Sport and the Excel. These cars have some features which you may not be able to find on other hybrid models.Â
Icon
- ă»Toyota Touch 2 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android AutoÂ
- ă»BluetoothÂ
- ă»Adaptive cruise controlÂ
- ă»Automatic headlightsÂ
- ă»Heated seatsÂ
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Icon Tech
- ă»Rear and front parking sensors
- ă»7â Coloured TFT screen for multi-information displayÂ
- ă»Parking assistÂ
- ă»Adaptive cruise controlÂ
- ă»16â alloy wheels
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Design
- ă»17â alloy wheelsÂ
- ă»Automatic folding door mirrorsÂ
- ă»Automatic dimming rear view mirrorÂ
- ă»Auto wipersÂ
- ă»LED front fog lightsÂ
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GR SportÂ
- ă»18â alloy wheelsÂ
- ă»Heads up displayÂ
- ă»Coloured TFT information display
- ă»Sport seatsÂ
- ă»GR Sport badge and door scuff platesÂ
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ExcelÂ
- ă»Parking assistÂ
- ă»Black with red accents leather sports seatsÂ
- ă»Smart entry
- ă»LED Dual-beam projector headlightsÂ
- ă»Reversing cameraÂ
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The Corolla Touring Sport has the same engine options available and the same models with the same spec as listed above. However, there is an addition. The TREK. Only available with the 2.0L petrol Hybrid engine, key features on the TREK including âHill-Start Assist Controlâ, âBlack wheel arch mouldingâ, privacy glass, âTREK badge on the bootâ, âTREK door scuff platesâ, âkick-activated boot openingâ and âfollow-me-home headlightsâ. Â
Toyota RAV4 & RAV4 Plug-in hybrid
The RAV4 has a choice of two engines. Both are 2.5L Petrol Hybrid engines, one with front wheel drive and 218HP. The second one has âIntelligent All Wheel Driveâ with 222HP.Â
With the FWD, the models available include the Icon, Design, Excel and Dynamic. Just like the other models, the 4 different models have slight tweaks in the specification. The main differences include driver aids (including pre-collision systems, Lane Trace Assist and Blind Spot Monitor) and infotainment such as the âToyota Touch 2 with Go Navigationâ and âSmartphone integrationâ. With the âIntelligent AWDâ, the Icon is not included but there is an addition.Â
The Adventure is one of the models available that is only found in the RAV4 models with the intelligent AWD. The Adventureâs features include puddle lights, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, âToyota Touch 2 with Go Navigationâ, âToyota Skyview Panoramic roofâ and boot underfloor storage.Â
RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
If you are interested in a Plug-in Hybrid, check out the RAV4 PHEV. Equipped with a 2.5L Petrol Hybrid engine with 306HP and âIntelligent All Wheel Driveâ. This engine does 282.4 MPG. There are three options available: the Design, the Dynamic and Dynamic Premium. These are the main differences between the models.Â
Design
- ă»Fast charge 32A Mennekes cable
- ă»Rear cross traffic alertÂ
- ă»9â Toyota Touch 2Â
- ă»18â alloy wheelsÂ
- ă»Pre-collision systemsÂ
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DynamicÂ
- ă»19â alloy wheelsÂ
- ă»Wireless mobile phone charger
- ă»Power back door
- ă»Remote controlled Dual-zone automatic air conditioningÂ
- ă»9â Toyota Touch 2Â
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Dynamic Premium
- ă»JBL Premium Sound Systems Â
- ă»9 SpeakersÂ
- ă»Memory function on driver seatsÂ
- ă»Panoramic roofÂ
- ă»Heads Up Display
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The final model of the Hybrid Toyota is the Highlander. The engine is a 2.5 petrol Hybrid engine with âIntelligent All Wheel Driveâ and 248HP. The two models of choice are the Excel and the Excel Premium.
The Excel is equipped with a panoramic roof, pre-collision systems with cyclist detection, and intersection turn assist, âLane Trace Assistâ âJBL Premium Sound Systemâ and âRear Cross Traffic Alert with Automatic Brakingâ. The Excel Premium includes âSmart rear-view mirrorsâ, a heated steering wheel and seats, heads up display and âPanoramic View Monitorâ.Â
Those are the models of hybrid Toyotas and what they can offer. Check out our range of Toyota, new and used. For more information and news, check out our news page.Â