ELECTRIA: Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is fit for modern families

Filipinos are known to have strong family ties. Many reflect the said trait as part of the considerations in buying cars as reflected on the sales growth of seven-seaters in the local market. Who would not love to build core memories with them right?

If family would be the main factor for buying an electrified daily driver, then the hybrid version of the Toyota Zenix has been part of your considerations.

Is the nameplate worth the hype when it reached the Philippine shores last year? Here is Zigwheels Philippines Charged's take on the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid.

Dimensions

Longer, taller, and wider compared to the well-loved Innova, the Toyota Zenix 2.0 Q Hybrid is 4,755 millimeters long; 1,850 mm wide; and 1,790 mm tall.

As experienced, the beefy look, elegant yet sporty styling, and comfortable cabin configuration surely catches the attention of the public.

Exterior

As mentioned above, the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is quite a looker. The vehicle is chunky and we nearly mistook it for a sport utility vehicle.

Its front fascia dishes out a look comparable to Toyota Motor Philippines’ big boys. The trapezoidal grille (that has a Prado-ish vibe) is flanked with wing-like headlamps.

The grille’s vents match the honeycomb design found on the housing where the daytime running lights are placed, while chrome underlining matches the borders of the headlamps.

Meanwhile, the rear end is similar to the RAV4’s boxy and edged styling. Complementing the overall look at the back is the rear spoiler.

It is only in the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid’s side silhouette and no-nonsense look that will remind you that it is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The vehicle sits on 18-inch chrome metallic wheels.

Interior

Inside, the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid offers a cavernous space for all its occupants.

The tester (who is more than six foot tall) was able to sit in the first and second rows of the vehicle, which means that head and leg room can cater to most Filipinos.

Giving the cabin a very premium feel is the copious amount of brown leather that it has compared to the Innova.

Those who have sat inside the well-loved MPV will find that the layout very familiar. The buttons on the steering wheel are neatly fitted and while all other buttons are ergonomically placed to ensure that the driver’s attention is focused on the road and its passengers rather than navigating through the numerous controls inside.

The driver’s seat can be adjusted eight ways electronically while for the passenger, four-way manually. Two captains fitted with ottoman and power recline functions are fitted in the middle row while the rearmost portion has a bench that can be folded flat.

It also has an ambient lighting system, cluster gauge (combination of seven-inch multi-information digital display and analog), and a 10.1-inch infotainment system mated to six speakers.

Powertrain

Moving the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid in front wheel drive format is the four-cylinder, 16 valve double overhead cam chain drive 2.0-liter gasoline engine with electric motor that can deliver up to a little over 183 horsepower and 188 Newton-meters of torque.

The aforementioned mill (which has Eco and Power drive modes) is paired with a continuous variable transmission — helping everyone enjoy long and short drives sans the shift shocks. What is surprising to learn about the vehicle is that it has paddle shifters — a feature, which for me, should come available on sedans or performance-related models.

After covering nearly 533 kilometers of highways and city streets (majority on expressways), the vehicle had a 16.9 kilometers-per-liter reading.

Its stopping power, on the other hand, comes from the front and rear disc brakes.

Tech, comfort features

The Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid does not fall short when it comes to amenities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The seven-seater MPV can hold total of 13 drinks (six in the front, seven for the rear) for its passengers; connect mobile phones via Android Auto, wireless Apple Carplay, and Bluetooth, or juice up device with the numerous ports around (four USB ports and a pair of 12-volt sockets).

Its child friendly systems include the Isofix tether anchors and power windows with jam protect functionality.

Assuring families that they are secured inside the Zenix Q Hybrid are the myriad of Toyota Safety Sense features namely pre-collision system, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control alongside blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

It also offers emergency brake signal, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability control, and hill start assist control.

What we love to see in the Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is a moonroof — a staple on many offerings in the market nowadays.

Pricing, package

The Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid is priced at P1.953 million (or P1.968 million for the Platinum White Pearl Mica body color option). Just like every Toyota hybrid model, the top-spec Zenix is packaged with a three-year or 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty and eight-year warranty for its hybrid battery.

Pros, cons

The Toyota Zenix Q Hybrid could easily win the hearts of vehicle buyers who are considering an electrified option for the family.

Not only does it have sufficient cabin space, but the vehicle also guarantees superb fuel economy to ensure that more budget can be allotted to fun activities with loved ones. 

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV

Also read:

5 Reasons Why the Toyota Zenix Should Be Your Next Family Car

Discover Unparalleled Comfort and Style: What’s Inside the Toyota Zenix

Toyota's Two Takes on the MPV: Comparing The Hybrid Zenix and Diesel Innova