The Toyota Zenix has just launched in the Philippines, adding another 7-seater MPV to the brand’s local lineup of vehicles aside from the older version of the Toyota Innova. 

It brings two powerplants: a 2.0-liter gasoline variant and a 2.0-liter hybrid model, a new chassis, and a new set of features that weren’t available with the old diesel model.

The hybrid variant brings new technology, featuring the brand’s Gen5 Toyota Hybrid system, providing more power and better fuel efficiency than previously available in older models.

The Gen5 hybrid system

The new Gen5 hybrid system originally debuted with the updated Toyota Corolla with the 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter hybrid systems—the 2.0-liter hybrid model is the unit that is currently available in the Philippine market Toyota Zenix for its Q variant. It is also the same generation system found in the 2023 Toyota Prius. 

So aside from sharing the same TNGA-C platform, the 2024 Toyota Zenix and Prius also run on the same generation hybrid powertrain.

What Toyota did to the Gen5 hybrid is they added lighter and more compact components to the hybrid electric system. Toyota chose these parts to maintain efficiency in tandem with an increased output - but with the reliability that the Japanese automaker is known for.

A new power control unit has also been added to the hybrid system that helps reduce the level of electrical losses in the system by -14% for the 1.8-liter motor and -6% for the 2.0-liter variant and to maintain fuel efficiency. The unit has a new double-sided cooling system and runs at a higher frequency, reducing its noise level. 

Toyota has also installed a new high-output motor generator with new internals to improve fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. A new stator coil winding method has helped reduce the motor’s size. The complete transaxle is 15%lighter than before thanks to new materials – its casing is now 20% lighter.  

To further increase efficiency, the Japanese automaker has also utilized low-viscosity oil that helps reduce internal friction and adds to the all-around improvement in efficiency. Other detailed measures include smaller gears with teeth reprofiled to give a larger contact area and a smaller and lighter differential. 

What about the battery pack?

Toyota has given the Gen5 system a new lithium-ion hybrid battery that is smaller and lighter but has a higher output than previous iterations. The automaker wanted the pack to be more lightweight as it could improve the car’s dynamic performance and contribute to better fuel efficiency. 

The weight of the battery pack has been reduced to 14%, while the output has also increased by 14%. To ensure that the battery stays cool, Toyota has optimized its cooling path and improved the air filtration of its cooling system to help prevent deterioration caused by temperature fluctuations and preserve battery life.

Toyota claims the 5th Generation Hybrid Electric battery now "lasts longer than ever."

To sum it up, Toyota has just added lighter components to the hybrid system and updated the battery pack and its cooling system to make it lighter but have a higher output simultaneously.

What do you think of the advancements of the new Gen5 hybrid system in the Toyota Zenix?

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