Understanding Toyota Powertrains

The innovative collection of Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs, and EVs comes with a variety of fuel-efficient powertrains. As more electrified models show up on dealership lots, it’s important to understand the differences between hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. They all have the legendary Toyota reliability, but they have unique driving experiences. Toyota offers all types of electric models: hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric, and you can test drive them all at City Toyota near Pacifica and San Francisco.

What’s a Toyota EV?

City Toyota carries one new Toyota EV: the bZ4X. This vehicle is powered by an electric motor that delivers energy to a single motor above the front wheels. Toyota offers an all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with two electric motors and more battery power. The fully-electric Toyota bZ4x does not use gasoline, instead relying on electricity to charge the 63.4-kWh battery pack in the FWD version or the 65.5-kWh battery pack in the AWD version. Charging with a Level 3 DC fast charging station takes about an hour while charging with a Level 2 at-home charger takes about nine hours.

Adding an electric motor to any car changes the way the vehicle accelerates. Fully electric cars do not have transmissions, so they have instant torque and acceleration. Battery-electric vehicles like the Toyota bZ4X have smooth rides because they do not have the jerkiness that comes from shifting. The bZ4X delivers 214 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.

How Do Toyota Hybrids Differ from EVs?

Toyota manufactures a handful of highly rated hybrid vehicles, beginning with the legendary Toyota Prius. This model does not require charging, instead, the FWD model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to achieve 194 horsepower. The AWD model has two electric motors – one atop each axle – to achieve 196 horsepower. The small lithium-ion battery in the hybrid powertrain uses regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine to charge. A hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) does not require charging.

On the flip side, the plug-in hybrid does need an external charging source. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles like the Prius Prime offer the most flexibility of all electrified vehicles thanks to the three driving modes. Drivers can use the PHEV as a fully electric vehicle. They can also drive it like a hybrid vehicle and a gas-powered car.

When fully charged, the Prius Prime delivers an all-electric range of up to 45 miles thanks to the 13.6-kWh battery. It can also run as a hybrid vehicle with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. PHEVs and HEVs have transmissions, and the Prius and Prius Prime come with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Explore the Electrified Toyota Cars at City Toyota in Daly City, CA

Toyota offers an outstanding collection of electrified vehicles. Along with the bZ4X, Prius, and Prius Prime, the automaker has the Toyota Crown, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid and Prime, and Corolla Hybrid. We invite you to visit City Toyota in Daly City, California, to experience how the fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles fit into your lifestyle.