Fuel Economy: Do Toyota’s Hybrid Models Perform as Advertised?
Last week we took a look at Toyota’s new breed of hybrid models equipped with all-wheel drive, specifically to see if they performed at the level of the straight-gas-engine models produced by the Japanese automaker. This week, we stick under the microscope the hybrid vehicles’ true fuel consumption performance.
See also: The New AWD Toyota Hybrid Models: A Worthwhile Combo?
Hybrid systems are becoming a habitual presence within the Toyota lineup. Time was, you had the choice of a Prius to take advantage of an electrically-enhanced powertrain, or nothing. Today it's almost faster to name the Toyota models that don't offer it.
What’s more, the models currently on offer benefit from the first real evolution of Toyota's hybrid approach, one that finally delivers some interesting results. This is more the case with some models than others, but still, the progress is notable overall.
However, what about the fuel consumption figures announced by the manufacturer? How do they compare to what owners get in real-world driving? While we can generally trust those official numbers, it’s also true that in some cases they don’t quite reflect what you get when out on the road, day after day.
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