Hybrid cars are getting more and more traction in the Philippines, and this is not a fluke or a trend that will dissipate. Of course, there is always the idea that cars running on diesel and petrol will always be preferred but to those who can afford it, a hybrid car seems like a logical choice as gas prices constantly seem to go up every week.

Enter Toyota's affordable entry into the hybrid car segment. One that is very familiar to its loyal clientele, is the Toyota Altis. Now, the Altis has six variants, and the top-of-the-line is a blue-badged hybrid. Let's see how this iteration of the Altis makes it any different than before aside from being a hybrid.

Stylish exterior

On the exterior, the Corolla Altis exemplifies functionality and style in the urban sense. Meant as a car for the city, the Corolla Altis is like a sleekier version of the bigger Camry with the same bells and whistles its big sister has. The Corolla Altis exudes class whenever one sees it on the road. With common but necessary luxuries like Smart Entry, Auto-folding Side Mirrors, a suave daytime-running lamp, LED taillights, and 17” alloy wheels with a machined finish, the Corolla Altis is a head-turning functional sedan. Inside the car, the classiness continues. A 7-inch Multi-information Display, Auto-dimming mirrors, a Push Start system, a Rear Cooler, Electronic Parking Brakes, and an 8-inch Audio Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with the leather trimmings on the steering wheel, the center console, the dash even if there are evident plastic parts. Luxury is also defined by space, also the Corolla Altis has moved its instrument panel and side mirrors; thinner front pillars and higher windows make maximum visibility a pleasure in driving.

Great safety features

The Corolla Altis also has great safety features. It has Toyota Safety Sense, with features like a Pre-collision System that warns you when you are about to collide with a car or object nearby, to also avoid abrupt stopping and braking. There is also A Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which monitors the cars in front and adjusts the cruising speed to create a consistently safe distance. A Lane Tracing Assist that works like a Lane Keep Assist, and a Lane Departure Alert. The Corolla Altis also has an Automatic High Beam, 7 airbags, clearance and back sonar, vehicle stability control, and a back monitor.

Engine

The 1.8 V Hybrid CVT engine has a VVT-I, 4-cylinder in-line DOHC 16 valve engine, and an electric motor. The conventional gasoline engine makes just 97 horsepower and 142 Newton meters of torque, close to an older generation Vios engine, but with the electric motor which produces about 72 horsepower.  The electric motor works at lower speeds so it's saving on gasoline on idle or stop-and-go traffic. When you accelerate, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor push you for optimum performance.

Affordable price

The Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid retails at about PHP 1,610,000. Thinking of it as a hybrid car that can give you about 14 to 26 kilometers per liter in the city (again, IN THE CITY), and about 30 kilometers per liter on the highway, the price tag is very achievable, and it is truly value for money. As Toyota moves forward with offering hybrid vehicles that are attainable for the general public, perhaps we can truly say that the future is happening right now, especially with the Toyota Corolla Altis.