The first-ever Toyota Vios Hybrid is unveiled in Thailand

Ever since the debut of the AC100 Toyota Vios, many have been both speculating and clamoring for an electrified variant of the car. Of course, it makes sense with cars like the Raize and Yaris Cross, both of which have hybrid variants and are also based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture, which this new Vios is based on.

And finally, Toyota Motor Thailand has taken the wraps off the new Toyota Vios HEV (Yaris Ativ) in both Premium and GR Sport trims. In their country, that car will be doing battle with the likes of the Honda City e:HEV and BYD Seal 5 DM-i sedans.

What’s new? It’s now powered by the same hybrid powertrain found in the Yaris Cross HEV, meaning it has a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine (the 2NR-VEX) mated to an electric motor, e-CVT, and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Total combined power output is 111 horsepower, and according to the UN R101 testing standards, it can get a fuel consumption as high as 29.4km/L.

All eyes are on the new GR Sport variant, as it features the usual GR cosmetics of a bumper with a large grille and splitters, a larger side skirt, a small trunklid spoiler, and a rear bumper with a rear diffuser. It also comes with multi-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and a blacked-out roof and mirrors.

The GR Sport variant also gets a retuned suspension and electric power steering for improved handling and better steering feel.

The interior receives black leatherette seats and a GR logo embossed in the headrest, alongside goodies like a 10.1-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, and a six-speaker Pioneer sound system.

Meanwhile, the Premium variant looks similar to the standard variants, save for a dark chrome upper grille and metallic gray lower grille, body colored mirrors with power folding and power adjustments, and unique 16-inch alloy wheels. The interior is a monotone affair, with black-and-gray leatherette seats.

Toyota Safety Sense is standard across both variants, complete with a lane-keeping function that works with the adaptive cruise control, which works even at low speeds, a 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors, a built-in dash camera, and six airbags.

This brings the case back to Toyota Motor Philippines, where the new Vios still hasn’t been introduced to the market yet. Perhaps they have been waiting for the hybrid variant to come out, as they’ve been pushing hard for electrification across their entire lineup, so it’s probably the best time for the automaker to make a move.

^{Photos from Toyota Motor Thailand}