Toyota Vios Hybrid Review

You've seen the car in the photo and you've clicked into this article. If you're reading this, there's a high chance that you're looking for an affordable entry-point into the world of motoring and hoping to pair it with the hybrid expertise that Toyota is so well known for.

If so, this Vios Hybrid could well be the car that sees to your demands.

This new Toyota Vios now features some smart looking angular head lights and taillights

Newfound power

Let's address that second concern first. This is the first time that the Vios has been offered here with a hybrid drivetrain by local authorised dealer Borneo Motors, and it's off to a great start. The three days that we had the car saw it achieving an average fuel economy of 24.5km/L. That's a touch off from the 27km/L that Toyota claims it can reach, but still quite the impressive result.

We never got the Honda City Hybrid here, so drawing a direct comparison with a rival will be difficult. But the fact that the Toyota Yaris Cross only did slightly better (at 25.2km/L) while the Toyota Prius - a slightly larger and more powerful car but the car most well-associated with hybrid technology - only accomplished a close 23.8km/L. That puts this Toyota Vios Hybrid in good stead for those looking to minimise their fuel bill.

And it's quite the looker as well. This fourth-generation Toyota Vios has ditched the bulbous design of its predecessor for some sharp styling, with its angular head lights and quite the noticeable pair of intakes that flank either side of its guppy-like grille proving some tasty touches.

The cabin of the Toyota Vios is dominated by black and grey surfaces, but all the controls and switches are where you'd expect them to be

Electrified comfort

And you can expect quite the accomplished drive even if you're not concerned with fuel-sipping economy. The ride in the Toyota Vios is generally comfortable, and four should also be able to fit in here comfortably with little issue. The cabin is not entirely without issues, however: I did find the car's steering column would occasionally get in the way of my knees.

It's a good thing then that the car's hybrid drivetrain proved a peach to live with. With a total of 110bhp to deploy, this Vios feels perky enough that you shouldn't have difficulty keeping up with traffic, even with so many all-electric options currently plying our roads.

The 10.1-inch infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while most of the Vios' safety systems can be adjusted via its 7.0-inch instrument cluster

It's a reasonably refined unit as well, staying quiet unless pushed hard and delivering acceleration in smooth and predictable fashion. Keen drivers will be pleased to note that the steering here also delivers more feedback than you'd expect of a budget sedan, although I did find myself wishing for a touch more accuracy from it.

Still, there's a button to select your drive mode located right on the steering wheel, the critical air-conditioning controls are all easily accessible via physical controls, while the 10.1-inch infotainment system proved always ready to reconnect with my phone via Android Auto. All these are handy touches that are always appreciated.

Those seated at the rear get some comfortable seats and their own air-conditioning vents and USB ports

Japanese sensibility

Which brings us right back to that very first thorny issue of price: Is this now the affordable sedan to get? At $181,888, this Vios is currently the entry point into the local Toyota range. Seen simply as such, it's certainly quite the viable option for those who want a sedan and don't want to make the jump to all-electric power.

For those who are willing to consider other bodystyles, there are other hybrid options available at this price range. These include the $179,800 Nissan Note e-POWER Hybrid, which impressed us with the responsiveness of its drivetrain although it didn't quite match this Vios on fuel economy.

The Toyota Vios Hybrid proves a capable option for those still unsure about making the leap to all-electric power

Then there's the Honda Jazz Hybrid. Currently only available in its crossover-like 'Crosstar' variant for a cool $178,999, this little hatchback offers more total power than the Toyota Vios, although it also did not manage to meet the Toyota on fuel economy when we last drove it (all prices inclusive of COE and correct as of 30 January 2026).

But for those who are willing to think a little differently about their motoring needs, there's plenty else to think about. The Toyota Vios has long had its own appeal amongst the budget-conscious who are looking for no-frills motoring, but this latest iteration of the car finds itself competing in a landscape that's very different from its predecessors. 

Consider, for example, the fact that newer nameplates such as the Tesla Model 3 or the BYD Seal 6 are now also available at this same price point while offering significantly more modern interiors and a more comprehensive feature list. Then there's the fact that a host of popular electric crossovers are also now all available at this price point. Seen as such, the Vios could well be losing the competitive edge it once had. 

But these options arguably don't quite come with the same assurance that a Toyota offers or the renown the firm has when it comes to hybrid technology. And if these last points are important to you, that small premium that the Toyota Vios is asking for should well be worth it. That's why you clicked into this article, right?

Looking for more reasonably-priced sedans? Be sure to catch these reviews:

The Mazda 3 impresses with its refinement and long equipment list

But maybe you'd be more interested in just how the Hyundai Avante Hybrid performs?

Be sure to also catch our review of the Toyota Corolla Altis here