Why Toyota Hybrids Are So Popular

We take a quick look at the history of the Toyota Hybrid to understand why they have become so popular and how the concept has finally reached mainstream acceptance. We discuss the pros, cons, and philosophy behind innovation and technology and why cutting-edge is often short-lived. There are many brands in the EV and Hybrid space. Which do you consider a leader, Hyundai, Tesla, Lucid, Rivian, Ford, Chevy, or Toyota?

#cars #engineering #technology

Index:
00:00 Intro
00:38 The History of Honda and Toyota Hybrids
1:42 Why Toyota Won the Hybrid Battle
2:21 Technology is Not Innovation
6:31 Driving Discussion

[jayh]

A luxury experience is not knowing my dealer/mechanic by first name basis.

[thedefenestrator]

I’m a Toyota tech and last week I serviced the hybrid system on a Gen 1 Prius. Not replacing the battery, just the CONNECTORS. The battery was fine, and the connections were throwing codes which shut off the hybrid system as a safety precaution. The little beast had over 300k on the ODO! I think the Tundra using the old style battery will work just fine.

[practicalguy]

Toyota's E-CVT is a completely different design using planetary gears with an electric motor drive to achieve infinite gear ratios that is much more reliable than what you find in all the other brands than use the belt system. It's so different Toyota should have called it something else without CVT in the name! CVT gets a bad name from the belt driven ones that have a shelf life.

[sanman]

This is the result of over 20 years of constant development. I love enthusiast cars but as this channel, rightfully, acknowleges cars are expensive. Toyota is one of the few manufacturers selling a well developed product that makes sense. As much as I want a sports car or sports sedan, a hybrid Toyota makes sense for the everyday tasks we all need to do.

[DYang]

We got to 70k miles in our prius prime and it needed nothing except for oil changes every 5k miles. 50-55mpg even driving with a heavy foot. This is luxury like I've never experienced before.

[MarkRVillano]

I remember when the Prius first became popular, and the big worry was that the hybrid battery pack would die shortly after the car was out of warranty, and cost more to replace than the entire car was worth in resale value.
That didn't happen, and as the platform began to age it became apparent that in many cases the battery might just outlast the car itself, many of which were still going strong after ten or more years of service.

[PLCTSD]

Toyotas ecvt system is one of the best non-performance drivetrains ever made. Every aspect is so reliable and well thought out. A marvel of engineering

[vladberbece]

Savagegeese is the thinking man's automotive channel. Thanks for this discussion, super interesting.

[TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

Toyota/Lexus hybrids are just the electrified option that makes the most sense. When people think of hybrids it’s usually a Toyota hybrid. And for good reason. I see a lot of Toyota hybrid vehicles whether it’s the RAV4, Highlander, Prius, etc. Toyota’s hybrid system is already really good and like Mark said, you don’t have to worry about electric only range or be stuck anywhere. That gasoline engine will immediately help you get back on the road and give you that assistance. I’m a big fan of Toyota hybrids and I’m glad that they are continuously investing in that technology.

[kryvor]

I really liked the honesty and down-to-earth nature of this video. One thing that most media outlets refuse to touch on is reliability — and that’s likely the prime reason that people buy Toyotas. At the same time, it seems to be a “taboo subject” for a lot of content creators, so thank you for continuing to mention it in your reviews.

[SER]

Got me watching a whole ass video about a prius... damn you're good.

[andrewharrington]

Thanks!. We purchased a Lexus 350h after learning from your explanations.😊

[billmarshall]

Most people are not "car people" and they do not care about driver engagement or connection to the road. If they're buying a hybrid, they just want a comfortable, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle that's safe and gets then from point A to B and back. Toyota excels at that.

[T.R.A.N.C.E]

As the owner of a 2023 Lexus ES300h as my first hybrid, I'm in love. The eCVT transmission doesn't exhibit the rubber band feeling associated with regular CVT, because there is no belt/chain, it feels more like driving a 1 speed automatic, and the electric torque from takeoff is silky smooth and silent, then the gentle rumble of the petrol motor that picks up is really like the best of both worlds. Plus I'm getting 48MPG combined, but realistically any fuel savings go out the window when you have to pay $$$ for a replacement battery in 10-15 years, but fuel savings aside the hybrid actually contributes to the feeling of luxury, the stepless transmission, the smooth takeoffs, the gliding around town whisper quite which also enhances the audio quality from the Pioneer or Mark Levinson sound system. Plus you know it's going to be reliable.

[donswier]

Having experienced a Range Extended EV the past 4 years (i3 REx) I learned:
- The 2 fuels are complementary: Cheap, clean residential electric gets you the first 120 miles each day.
- Easily found, quickly replenished, energy dense petrol carries you "perpetually" further if on a long road trip.

Frankly, Toyota's 40-50 mile range Primes allow for 15, 000 miles all-electric each year, which is plenty.

Ironically, the Chevy Volt had that formula first, but too few (me included) understood the benefit 15 years ago.

[ToolGT]

I love our RAV4 hybrid, really nice when you are stuck in traffic, at a light, or in a drive thru you aren't wasting gas. Gets about 40mpg even with heavy highway use.

[FamousWithoutBrad]

My Dad likes the hybrid because he can drive a much further distance without refueling when he goes out for cigarettes.

I hope he comes back soon….it’s been a few weeks now

[TinyPekingese]

Savagegeese, thanks for making this great video. I recently brought a 2024 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid, previously owning a 2010 Toyota Camry SE V6, and it will be difficult to go back to an ICE vehicle due to the benefits you mentioned.

Getting 470 miles to the tank, reduced gas costs, peace of mind on increased reliability and "range anxiety" is hard to beat when comparing it to just ICE or pure electric vehicles.

[donswier]

5:21 You NAILED it, Mark!
"You just don't care" when battery is expended on a PHEV.

[jeffer]

I bought a Toyota Hybrid for several reasons. They are extremely reliable, fuel efficient, high resale and I like all the great engineering that went into it. I've had mine for about 2.5 years now and don't regret it. It's been flawlessly reliable, lifetime average is 37 mpg and judging by the selling prices I see online, I could likely sell it for almost what I paid for it for 2.5 years ago.