Toyota Aqua is a compact full hybrid hatchback manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota first launched in 2011. Its fuel consumption is rated at 35 km/l with some users averaging 26 km/l for urban and highway driving. Its competitors are Honda Fit, Nissan Note, and Mazda Demio. Toyota Aqua is also known as Toyota Prius C. With these ratings, the Aqua ranks as the most fuel-efficient car except for plug-in electric vehicles.
So if you are into hybrid cars or efficient cars that will take you much further with a small amount of gasoline, then this article is meant for you. Please read on.
When one hears a mention of a hybrid car two things spring to mind, fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness. The same applies to the Toyota Aqua.
Efficiency-wise, the Aqua has a great fuel economy of about 22-24km/l as declared by users although it is rated at 35 km/l. With this rating, it means the Aqua can travel about twice the distance that most combustion will over the same amount of fuel.
When Toyota went to the drawing board, the sole purpose was to make the Aqua the most fuel-efficient “non-plug-in hybrid” compact car a feat they attained. And this was made possible by considering various factors so as to lower the car’s drag coefficient. From the bonnet to the headlights, the roof, and even the taillights, all were engineered with that in mind which enabled the Aqua to attain a drag coefficient of 0.28.
From there, then they focused on the engine, where they fitted the Aqua with a 1.5 liter 1NZ-FXE paired with the HSD motor hybrid system with a combined power output of 99 hp for the standard Aqua while the Aqua X has an output power of 112 hp.
Although its siblings the Axios and Fielder come with a similar system they can’t match the Aqua due to its aerodynamics and lightweight, making it the fastest among them.
Aqua fuel tank capacity
Frequent visits to the gas station can be inconvenient, and in some places, gas stations can be scarce and sparsely distributed. In such instances, one requires a car that will reduce visits to the gas station. One such car is the Toyota Aqua.
The Toyota Aqua comes with a standard fuel tank capacity of 36 liters (7.9 gals), with one full tank weighing about 26 kg. Unlike many small cars that come with an almost similar tank capacity but with inferior efficiency, compared to the Aqua. A full tank on the Toyota Aqua has a driving range of about 864 km.
With such great efficiency and a sufficient fuel tank capacity, you are sure to be making fewer visits to the gas station, but also save a great amount of money and time in the long run.
Suppose you travel 120 kilometers daily, then you’ll only need one visit to the gas station per week.
Interior
The interior design of Toyota Aqua feels luxurious, spacious, and more like the Auris than the Toyota Vitz. At the driver’s cabin, space is enough and can accommodate tall people. At the passenger’s cabin, space is ample and tall people will find it acceptable.
Storage
The Toyota Aqua has several storage compartments in the cabin that are useful for storing items such as handbags, beverages, goggles, smartphones, etc. At the driver’s cabin, there is door panel storage, a glovebox, the center-box, and 4 cup-holders. For the passenger’s cabin, there are front seat jacket pockets, door pockets, and one cupholder.
The boot space is not big enough like other hatchbacks and can carry medium-sized luggage. The passenger seats can be folded in a split configuration and increase extra space.
The reviews of Aqua from 2012 to 2016!!
Other Extras
EV Mode, ECO Mode, Nanoe Technology A/C, and Navigator.
Safety Features
Hill Start Assist Control, ABS with EBD, SRS Airbags, TRC, and VSC.
Exterior
The Toyota Aqua looks like a cross between a Yaris and an Auris. The luxury grades come with fog lights, chrome trim, and alloy rims.
Toyota Aqua Acceleration
Toyota Aqua 1NZ-1LM 1.5 – liter engine accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.5 sec.
Stability and Handling
What are the differences between Aqua and Prius?
The Toyota Aqua is a quick car that beats its rivals to the 0-100 km/h dash. When you put the leg on the accelerator, there is an immediate surge of power thanks to the electric motor. The steering is defined and sensible making it easy to maneuver the car in tight urban spaces. Around corners, it feels cool, calm, and collected at moderate speeds but at higher speeds, the body is too light for comfort.
In 2011 Toyota introduced the Toyota Aqua, a compact hatchback powered by a hybrid system that was introduced to capitalize on the success of the Toyota Prius that was introduced in 1997.
You might be thinking of buying the Toyota Prius, chances are that you are also considering other similar options in its category. The Toyota Aqua falls in this category, so should you go for the Aqua or Prius? Which one will suit you better? For you to be able to arrive at an informed decision, you have to learn their differences.
Exterior – The Aqua is a compact hatchback, it is much smaller than the Prius but with a much bigger boot of 485L. Its iconic hatchback design is so catchy. The Prius is much larger but offers less cargo space in its 470L boot with its larger batteries taking up most of the space, but has much better space for its occupants.
Interior – The Aqua is the smallest hybrid model from Toyota with basic interior features such as circular air vents and a 4.0-inch display. Its dashboard finishing comprises cheap plastics. The Prius comes with a 7.0-inch display, square air vents, and much better dashboard materials.
Performance – The Toyota Aqua comes fitted with a hybrid system that pairs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor delivering 99 hp. While the Prius comes fitted with a hybrid system that pairs a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a more powerful motor that collectively produces 134 hp.
Fuel Economy – The Aqua has an efficiency of a whooping 22km/l in the city, 20km/l on the highway, and an average of 21km/l while the Prius on the other hand consumes 19km/l in the city, 17km/l on the highway, and and an average of 18km/l.
Toyota Aqua Grades
Toyota Aqua G – Is the luxury grade that comes with electric windows, DVD-AM/FM player, movable headrests, multi-function steering wheel, interior lighting, fog lights, 16-Inch alloy rims, and armrests.
Toyota Aqua L – Is the base grade that is powered with manual windows, plain steering wheel, CD-AM/FM player, fixed headrests, and 14-Inch steel rims.
Toyota Aqua S – Is the intermediate grade that is mated with DVD-AM/FM player, electric windows, multi-function steering wheel, interior lighting, movable headrests, fog lights, and 15-Inch steel rims.
Toyota Aqua X – Is the sports grade of the Toyota Aqua iterations.
Features include; a three-spoke steering wheel, an all-digital binnacle, a 4.2-inch multicolor display, an intuitive and responsive 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 360-degree parking camera atop the center console.
Seats are comfortable, with enough leg and headroom to fit even tall occupants, although the rear bench seat is ideal for three passengers over long-distance travels. Designers have smartly distributed storage cubbies within the Aqua’s miniature frame, which includes four cup holders on the center console, and an extra glovebox.
The exterior of Aqua X is sporty. At the front, it features projection and halogen
Spare Parts Availability & Where To buy
Toyota Aqua is not so common in the Tanzania car market but as it’s common with Toyota, service parts are very reasonably priced and commonly available in Tanzania. Body parts are expensive because the car is still new in this market, but this will alter with time. Parts for the hybrid system such as the motors and batteries are very expensive and not easily available in Tanzania. You can get the spare parts and other body parts through BE FORWARD by visiting the Auto Parts store.
Hybrid cars use a combination of petrol and electric motors to drive them. For the most part, the hybrid system works well and is trustworthy. However, the batteries that control the electric motor be likely to decline over time and will need a substitute at some point, which is generally around 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
One might be asked whether the car will still run if the hybrid batteries were dead, the answer is a loud no. The same batteries are used to control basically everything else in the car including the starter. So if those batteries are dead, the car is as good as dead until you change them.
Toyota Aqua price ranges from $3,324 to $19,448 on the used car market, depending on the trim, installed features, model year, color, mileage, and conditions of the car, therefore, you can look into these factors to buy an Aqua model suitable for your budget.
ALL TOYOTA AQUA SALE
I am a Telecom & ICT specialist with a career spanning over 15 years in the demanding Tanzanian telecom industry.
I am also an avid DIYer with a good knack for everything technical and a wealth of vocational skills, with automotive being the top, and here I am writing about cars.
In 2017 a guy created a WhatsApp group called MyCar for the sole purpose of members helping each other with all matters regarding cars. I joined this group in 2018, and with my enormous wealth of knowledge regarding cars, and my readiness to share the knowledge with others, I became a top contributor, and that didn’t go unnoticed, as one member thought I was a potential writer and had contacts with Be Forward Japan who were looking for writers then. Fast forward to January 2020, I began writing for the Be Forward blog with 2024 being my fourth year.
As far as I can remember, I love cars, and growing up in the farming and tourist city of Arusha Tanzania in the ’80s and ’90s, I ended up being drawn to the Ranger Rover Classic for leisure and Land Cruiser 70 pickup as a workhorse. These were tough cars then, cars that could take you anywhere any time no matter the weather.
