Hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as drivers recognize the many advantages they bring. From excellent fuel efficiency to a comfortable and environmentally friendly ride, Toyota’s range of hybrids for 2021 have a lot to offer. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages you can enjoy if you purchase a hybrid Toyota.
Tremendous Fuel Economy
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by Rutger van der Maar
One of the biggest benefits you’ll get from a hybrid vehicle is much better gas mileage. While a traditional gas-powered vehicle stands out if its gas mileage is between 35 and 40 mpg, most of Toyota’s 2021 lineup of hybrids can manage more than 40 mpg combined.
The Prius Prime tops the list for fuel efficiency with its impressive 54 mpg combined for city and highway driving. The Prius Prime can also drive for up to 25 miles solely on electric power. You can recharge your battery in about five hours if you use a 120-volt power outlet, or just over two hours with a 240-volt socket.
The Toyota Avalon Prime’s battery is even bigger than the Prius Prime’s. You’ll be able to drive for 42 miles on electric-only power in the Avalon Prime. Fuel economy is still strong at a combined 44 mpg.
Powerful Engines
One of the misconceptions about hybrid and electric cars is that they lack power. But you only need to take a look at Toyota’s 2021 hybrid lineup to see how wrong this is.
The RAV4 Prime is equipped with two electric motors and a 2.5-liter inline-four that can generate 302 horsepower. That’s enough power to shift this small SUV from 0 to 60 in around 5.7 seconds, which is faster than many gas-powered vehicles.
The five-seater Avalon Prime features a 2.5-liter V-4 engine with two electric motors that produce a combined 215 horsepower. The Avalon’s power train is paired with a continuous variable transmission to give you a smooth ride, and ensure a seamless transition between electric and gas power.
Even the Prius Prime, which has the smallest engine of Toyota’s hybrids, generates 121 horsepower from its 1.8-liter V-4 engine and two electric motors. The Prius Prime also gets a continuous variable transmission.
Affordable Options
If you’re shopping for a vehicle on a modest budget, there’s no reason to be put off of a Toyota hybrid due to the price tag. While vehicles with all-electric driving capabilities like the Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime cost a bit more, the RAV4 Hybrid and Prius provide you with cheaper alternatives. Take a look at the RAV4 Hybrid with a starting price of just over $28,000, which makes it competitive with many non-hybrid SUVs.
Even though you won’t have the benefit of all-electric driving in the RAV4 Hybrid or Prius, you can still take advantage of some excellent fuel economy. For example, the Prius manages a combined 52 MPG, while the RAV4 Hybrid is good for 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Comfortable Interiors And Exciting Infotainment
The Prius Prime features seating for five, with plenty of room in the front and rear rows for tall passengers. Child seating is also well catered for with two complete sets of LATCH connectors on the outside rear seats and a tether anchor for the middle seat. When it comes to cargo storage, you’ll find over 19 cubic feet of space behind the second row, which is good for the hybrid and electric vehicle class. If you think you’ll need more space, try the Toyota Prius instead of the Prius Prime. The Prius has over 27 cubic feet of space behind the second row.
The Prius Prime’s standard infotainment system includes a 7-inch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. You can upgrade to a larger 11.6-inch screen and wireless device charging for a little more convenience.
The RAV4 Prime gives you the extra cabin and cargo space you’d expect from any SUV. With 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and over 63 cubic feet with the second row folded down, you’ll have lots of room to transport your weekly groceries or larger items. The RAV4 Prime’s seating is comfortable for adults wherever they’re sitting, and you can even upgrade to synthetic leather upholstery if you want to add a touch more luxury.
The RAV4 Prime’s infotainment system includes an 8-inch screen, five USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, and wireless hotspot. Optional upgrades include a 9-inch screen and an 11-speaker premium stereo.
The compact Avalon Hybrid has 16 cubic feet of storage and comfortable seating for up to five passengers. First-row passengers get either synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery, which adds to the cabin’s luxury feel. In the rear row, you can install child seating using LATCH connectors on the outer seats. As for infotainment, the base system includes a large 9-inch screen, eight-speaker stereo system, and a wireless hotspot.
Strong Safety Features
All of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles have a great selection of standard and optional safety features to give you added peace of mind while you’re behind the wheel. Standard features throughout the lineup include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
There are also additional add-ons for extra safety. For example, the three-row Highlander Hybrid features a 360-degree parking camera system and a parallel park assist to help you maneuver this mid-sized SUV into a tight parking spot.
We hope our rundown of the great advantages open to owners of a 2021 Toyota hybrid vehicle has helped you in your search for a new car. Were we able to deal with all of your questions or concerns? Is there anything about any of Toyota’s hybrid options you’d like to learn more about? If so, don’t hesitate to get in contact with our team of auto experts today. Here at Panama City Toyota, we can’t wait to get you behind the wheel of one of our excellent hybrid cars or SUVs.
