Toyota Aqua has been spotted testing again in India without camouflage. This hatchback from Toyota is a hybrid model and claims an astonishing fuel efficiency figure of 35.8km/l.
The frequent sighting of the Toyota Aqua suggests the model could be evaluated for India, and Toyota could be testing its hybrid technology for Indian conditions.
We think the launch of this model is a move in the right direction, considering hybrid technology is gaining traction as it combines the benefits of internal combustion engines and electric vehicles.
In fact, many automakers like Honda, Skoda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Renault, and Mahindra are focusing on hybrids. Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki is also developing an affordable full hybrid system for its entry-level models, such as Swift and WagonR.
Price
The Toyota Aqua is sold as Prius C outside Japan, and prices start at 2,146,000 Yen (approximately Rs 12.50 lakh). This pricing makes the Toyota Aqua one of the most affordable full hybrid cars globally.
Mileage
As mentioned, the Toyota Aqua hatchback boasts an impressive mileage of 35.8 km/l, surpassing even CNG variants of entry-level hatchbacks in India. It can operate in full electric mode for short distances, which is beneficial in city traffic.
Dimensions
In terms of dimensions, Toyota Aqua measures 4,050 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width, and stands between 1,485-1,505 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. Built on the TNGA-B platform (Toyota New Global Architecture – B), it emphasizes driving experience enhancement along with design improvements and fuel efficiency.
That said, since the Toyota Aqua is above 4 metres in length, it may attract a compensation cess of 15% on top 28% GST.
Advanced Battery Technology
A standout feature of the Toyota Aqua is its bipolar Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery, which offers nearly double the output compared to standard Ni-MH batteries. This results in quicker acceleration and smoother performance overall. The battery pack is compact with efficient cooling and long life, while replacement costs seem to remain manageable.
Powertrain
The full hybrid powertrain includes a 1.5-litre inline 3-cylinder petrol engine producing 90hp and 120Nm torque. Both FWD and AWD variants are available; the front motor generates 80hp and 141Nm of torque, whereas the rear motor (in E-Four variant) produces 6.4hp and 52Nm torque.
Features
Toyota Aqua comes equipped with numerous premium features, including a 10.5-inch touchscreen display along with a smaller 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display, a head-up display, heated seats & steering wheel and ADAS Tech.
DriveSpark Thinks
Although there are no immediate plans to launch the Toyota Aqua in India, its hybrid technology is likely being assessed for local conditions.