Should You Make the Big Switch to the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid?

As a Filipino, I am aware that hybrid vehicles like the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid are already standard fare in other countries. They are, after all, more advanced in exploring ways to promote fuel efficiency and sustainability. The proliferation of hybrid vehicles is also helpful to car buyers concerned about the continuous fuel price hikes all over the globe. And perhaps it is high time for Filipinos to consider transportation alternatives like this. Automotive technology is surely taking this direction as well. 

CO2 Emissions

Admit it or not, our dependence on fossil fuels affects us in more ways than we realize. Internal combustion engines (ICE) that rely on fossil fuels have contributed to polluting the air we breathe for longer than we have been alive.  To lay it down in percentages, the hybrid variant of the Corolla Cross emits 50% less carbon dioxide emissions than the ICE version. Imagine if we could halve the amount of CO2 emissions just by adopting new technology.

Fuel Prices

It is indeed fulfilling to care for the environment. But on a more practical sense, there are those who have opted to choose hybrids to lessen their everyday fuel expenses. Transportation is essential in our daily lives. While pump prices have been fluctuating so much, the steady stream of hybrid models being introduced are now making some Filipinos weigh their options.

For us to get to work, get errands done, visit our families across towns, or basically go from point A to point B, we use vehicles. Because of soaring fuel prices in the last few months, we have learned to adapt by reducing the frequency of our drives. We didn't go on out-of-town vacations as often as before. 

The last time I was in Baguio was years ago already. And I'm the type who loves going there to relax and to savor the good weather. But the drive to Baguio is almost 286 kilometers from our place. Six hours on the road from where I live. That means I have to spend a small fortune on gasoline expenses alone.   

Imagine if I were to drive to and from Baguio every weekend. My fuel expenses would have burnt a hole in my purse, for sure. At Php 70 per liter of fuel today, I can only afford once a month's vacation.  Fortunately,  there is a solution to every problem. And this is where fully-electric and hybrid vehicles enter the picture. 

When I found out that a friend of mine had a newly acquired Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, I just had to convince him to take it for a spin to Baguio City with me.  It turned out to be a surprisingly fun drive. It felt similar to the drive of a traditional internal combustion engine car that I was used to.

However, even though we found it normal to drive, the real magic was under the hood. The non-hybrid  Corolla Cross goes for around 14 kilometers per liter cruising at 100 kilometers per hour speed over a distance of 500 kilometers on the highway. In comparison, the Corolla Cross Hybrid got an extra 6 km/l under similar conditions during our trip. 

Moreover, when you step on the brakes, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid regenerates power and sends it back to the batteries to top them up. The more the batteries are used to drive the electric motor, the more fuel you save. And the more fuel you do not consume, the less time you need to drive to a gas station. That's instant savings right there.

Heading back to Manila from that long drive to Baguio in a Corolla Cross Hybrid made me contemplate if I should get one for myself. Imagine what it would be like in city driving when I can maximize its EV mode. That should mean less the times the engine would be idle and burning fuel while adding no distance. I  think the Corolla Cross Hybrid will be a worthy investment. 

Also Read: 5 Points to Consider Before Purchasing Something Over the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage