These new Toyota hybrids are coming to South Africa

Toyota’s first plug-in
New mild hybrids
Toyota Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota Corolla Hatch Hybrid XR
Lexus UX 250h F Sport

South Africa will soon be receiving three new hybrid models from Toyota, further expanding the range of fuel-efficient vehicles available to local consumers.

The manufacturer and its subsidiary Lexus are expanding their hybrid listings as part of a plan to have 50% of their respective ranges boast a new-energy (NEV) powertrain option by 2025.

The semi-electric vehicles coming to our showrooms include:

Toyota Corolla Hatch Hybrid
Toyota Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid
Updated Lexus UX 250h F Sport

All three models have been confirmed for South Africa, however, the pricing and launch dates have yet to be revealed.

Toyota’s first plug-in

While the Rav4 already exists in South Africa as a traditional hybrid, this new model will be the brand’s first plug-in hybrid in the country, allowing owners to alternate between a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre engine and a pair of front and rear electric motors powered by an 18.1kWh battery.

The electric front motor produces 134kW and 270Nm, while the rear one provides 40kW and 121Nm.

Combined with the combustion engine’s own 136kW and 227Nm, the new Rav4 has an overall power ceiling of 225kW, making it the most powerful unit in the SUV’s line-up.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h is handled in 6.0 seconds via a CVT transmission and intelligent all-wheel-drive system, and it reports an average fuel consumption of just 1.5l/100km as a result of its electrified underpinnings.

Drivers will also be able to travel for 65km on pure battery power before needing to switch back to the engine.

Charging the battery, meanwhile, takes anywhere from 2.5 to 7.5 hours depending on whether a 32A or 10A current is used.

Toyota will also be installing a number of DC and AC charging points in Sandton and Prospecton to support its hybrid and EV rollout.

New mild hybrids

South Africa will also be receiving two more mild hybrids, starting with the Corolla Hatch.

This will run on a 1.8-litre drivetrain incentivised by an electric motor, and will have a total system output of 100kW and 142Nm.

The hybrid configuration, which also supports regenerative braking, will then allow the hatchback to achieve an impressive fuel consumption of 3.5l/100km.

The Corolla has also been given an upgrade in other departments and one new addition is Toyota’s Safety Sense 3 which boasts semi-autonomous driving and other active safety features, said the automaker.

As for Lexus, it will be adding the facelifted UX 250h F Sport to its South African catalogue in the coming months, promising a fuel consumption return of 4.5l/100km.

This is thanks to a 2.0-litre engine that is complemented by an electric motor with regenerative braking like the Corolla, and the SUV will be capable of a total output of 135kW.