Toyota is one of the largest and most well-known automakers in the world. The company was founded in Japan in 1937 and has grown to be a global leader in the auto industry. Toyota is known for reliable and affordable vehicles like the Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Prius. With environmental sustainability becoming increasingly important, many car buyers are looking for more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly options when shopping for a new vehicle. This begs the question – does Toyota have any “green” cars in its lineup?
Toyota’s Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
The simple answer is yes, Toyota does offer several hybrid and electric vehicle models that can be considered green.
One of Toyota’s most popular and well-known green vehicles is the Prius. First launched in Japan in 1997, the Prius was one of the very first mass-produced hybrid electric cars. It combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery to achieve better fuel economy. Now on its fourth generation, the Prius gets an EPA-estimated 58 MPG combined fuel economy, making it one of the most efficient non-plug-in hybrids on the market. Over 4 million Prius models have been sold worldwide since its introduction.
In addition to the standard Prius hybrid, Toyota also offers the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid. The Prius Prime has a larger battery pack that allows it to be charged from an outlet and drive on all-electric power for around 25 miles before switching to hybrid mode. This allows many drivers to complete short commutes and errands on electricity alone. The Prius Prime is rated for an impressive 133 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) when running on battery power alone.
For drivers seeking an all-electric vehicle, Toyota introduced the bZ4X in 2022. This is the company’s first mass-produced battery-electric car built on a dedicated EV platform. Early reviews have praised the bZ4X for its smooth and punchy performance, comfortable interior and improved driving dynamics compared to previous Toyota EVs. The rear-wheel drive bZ4X is expected to achieve up to 252 miles of range on a full charge, while the all-wheel drive version sees range drop slightly to 222 miles.
Toyota’s Other Fuel Efficient Models
In addition to dedicated hybrid and electric cars, Toyota also offers several conventional gasoline-powered models that achieve very good fuel efficiency thanks to optimized engines and transmissions.
For example, the 2023 Toyota Corolla sedan has a combined EPA rating of up to 35 MPG when equipped with the most efficient engine option. The Corolla hatchback achieves even better efficiency at up to 37 MPG combined.
Toyota’s compact SUV, the RAV4, achieves 33 MPG combined when fitted with certain engine and drivetrain combinations. The related Toyota Venza midsize crossover SUV is rated for a very impressive 40 MPG highway.
The recently redesigned 2023 Toyota Camry sedan manages up to 52 MPG highway when equipped with the most efficient engine option. This makes the Camry one of the most fuel-sipping sedans you can buy without going hybrid or electric.
Several other Toyota models like the Highlander SUV, Sienna minivan, Avalon sedan and Tacoma pickup truck offer some configurations that crack 30 MPG combined ratings. While not as frugal as hybrid models, these fuel-efficient gas-only Toyota vehicles provide more options for eco-conscious shoppers.
Toyota’s Investment in Hybrids and EVs
Toyota has invested heavily in hybrid and electric vehicle technology over the past two decades. The Prius debuted in the late 1990s and quickly became a global sensation as gas prices rose in the 2000s. Toyota recognized the trend toward green vehicles earlier than most automakers.
However, in recent years Toyota received some criticism for not keeping up with the accelerating transition to EVs seen at companies like Tesla and Hyundai/Kia. The bZ4X is Toyota’s first serious effort at transitioning to EVs, with plans to offer 30 battery electric models globally by 2030.
To help meet increased demand for lithium-ion batteries needed for hybrid and electric cars, Toyota recently announced a $2.3 billion investment in battery production in the United States. The company also aims to sell around 5.5 million electrified vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs) globally by 2025.
While behind the curve initially, Toyota seems to be making smart moves now to position itself as a leader in efficient and zero-emission vehicles going forward. With its vast resources and expertise, Toyota is poised to be among the top sellers of hybrid and electric cars worldwide in the coming decades.
Conclusion
In summary, Toyota clearly offers several “green” vehicle options spanning efficient hybrids, plug-in hybrids and new battery-electric models. Early Prius models helped pave the way for mass adoption of eco-friendly hybrids, and now the Prius Prime and bZ4X are Toyota’s next step toward electrification.
Even the company’s conventional gasoline-powered cars are engineered for maximum fuel efficiency, with several models topping 40 MPG highway ratings. As demand for green vehicles continues to accelerate globally, Toyota is making the investments in technology and manufacturing needed to remain a leader in hybrids and EVs. So the answer is definitively yes – Toyota has a diverse range of green vehicle offerings and will likely continue expanding its lineup in the coming years.
| Toyota Green Vehicle Model | Type | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
|---|---|---|
| Prius | Hybrid | 58 combined |
| Prius Prime | Plug-in hybrid | 133 MPGe / 54 combined |
| bZ4X | Battery electric | Up to 252 miles range |
| Corolla | Gasoline | Up to 37 combined |
| RAV4 | Gasoline | Up to 33 combined |
| Camry | Gasoline | Up to 52 highway |
