Five Popular Hybrid Cars Available in Malaysia
Hybrids have been gaining considerable traction within Malaysia, due in part to their affordability and efficient fuel consumption. As the government tax exemption for hybrid and electrified cars is coming to an end, now is a good time to examine some of the best hybrid cars available in Malaysia. Those who wish to play their part in making Malaysia a greener place should consider these popular hybrids!
Here are some of the best hybrid cars available in Malaysia. This list has been curated from other auto news and reports, which we outlined at the end of the article.
Toyota Prius C
The Prius C is the world’s best selling hybrid thanks to its affordability, ease of use, and incredible gas mileage. Here in Malaysia, the vehicle goes for RM97,313 with insurance. This hammers the price of its main rival within the same price range, the Honda Insight. The Prius C has a 1.Five litre petrol engine, is a front wheel drive, and comes with a ton of features, such as three different modes of operation (Normal, ECO, and EV), seven airbags, traction control, vehicle stability control, Six pack, EBD, brake assist, auto climate control, cruise control, and a keyless lock system.
As it adheres to European standards, the Prius C gets 25.6km per litre, making it a leader in its class. While all these features make it a worthwhile choice for those wishing to join the green revolution, those looking for an above-average spectacle will be disappointed. Reviewers have commented on its lack of power (which makes for slow acceleration), as well as its harsh rail on less-than-smooth roads.
Toyota Prius Featured above (Source: Toyotanewsroom.com)
Honda CR-Z
Another popular hybrid commonly seen zipping around the city is Honda’s CR-Z. The CR-Z is a two-seater “sporty hybrid” that offers adequate power, albeit individuals tend to either love or hate its design aesthetic. It’s forms, lines, and interior give it a futuristic look, and no matter what your stance on it, the vehicle is undoubtedly a head turner.
Performance-wise, the CR-Z houses a 1.Five litre engine and an electrical motor, providing it with up to one hundred thirty horsepower with a top speed of 200km/h. This makes it quicker than the Prius C. Some critics note that the CR-Z is joy and thrilling to drive, thanks to its good spectacle and features like its standard six-speed manual transmission. It also comes with convenient seats and many standard features, such as a backup camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker stereo system accomplish with a USB port.
Negative comments on the hybrid include its somewhat poor rear visibility, its limited cargo space, and poor fuel economy for a hybrid. The price of the CR-Z ranges from RM119k to RM123k.
Photo credit: cmonville / Foter.com / CC BY
Audi A6 Hybrid
The hybrid version of the A6 makes for one interesting luxury sedan—it is perhaps what a youthful, successful business executive with a keen interest in environmental issues would drive. Audi markets this car as a mid-powered sedan with a sweet spot for efficiency, albeit that doesn’t mean that it has lost any of the driving thrills that make it an Audi.
While some reviewers note that it is somewhat less satisfying to drive as compared to its gasoline counterpart (the standard A6), others note that it still feels like a true Audi—cool and composed when cruising but still hell-bent on eating up the kilometres when you put the pedal to the metal. The A6 Hybrid’s [TC3] Two.0 litre two hundred eleven horsepower engine also seems to hammer out the competition in its class in terms of torque, making for a refined driving practice.
Despite being a luxury cruiser, every car does have its flaws. Some of the minor downfalls to this hybrid lie in its clunky regenerative braking system and its puny trunk. Besides the minor flaws, this hybrid truly is one cool, eco-friendly cat. The A6 Hybrid goes for RM280,000 (without extra options), which is RM235,000 less than the flagship model. We have the current tax exemption and the A6 hybrid’s smaller but powerful engine to thank for this yam-sized difference in price.
Source: Audi Media Services
Honda Jazz Hybrid
The Jazz Hybrid is a superb car to drive from point A to point B without any hiccups. It has adequate power, decent fuel economy, and functions well in the arms of most drivers. Malaysian buyers have two options if they wish to buy the Jazz Hybrid: the internationally assembled 1.Trio Litre model, or the CKD, which is the very first hybrid to be assembled locally.
Albeit the Honda Jazz Hybrid CKD comes with a RM4900 reduction as compared to the imported version, it omits a bunch of features like cruise control, automatic wipers, and shift paddles. Both Jazz models also lack any fresh, innovative technology, with the current Jazz design reaching the five-year-old mark. Nevertheless, the Jazz Hybrid is utterly practical, versatile, and has that Honda reliability.
Photo credit: NRMA Fresh Cars / Foter.com / CC BY
Lexus CT 200h
Another popular hybrid in Malaysia is the two-year-old Lexus CT 200h. This car is placed as a “premium sporty hybrid” and this year’s model still comes with a hefty RM168,000 price tag (without insurance). For that price, you get a 1.8 litre petrol engine, a powerful electrified motor, a generator, a high-performance 168-cell battery, a power control unit, and a power-split device under the bondage mask.
Factory tests indicate that the CT 200h is capable of achieving up to 33km per litre. It also features engaging treating for a hybrid, has a driver-friendly cabin, and superb ergonomics. Nevertheless, it doesn’t feature a lot of storage space, and its acceleration can be a bit pokey at times. Some reviewers even opine that the CT 200h is simply a Prius in a more luxurious skin. Despite all the hoopla, the CT 200h is still a popular hybrid among Malaysian buyers.
Source: Lexus News Room
How these cars above were selected:
The curated list is based on a combination of the rankings from the U.S. News ‘Best Hybrid Cars Ranking’ mixed with skill from local and international automotive websites such as Paul Suntan, Top Gear, and Car and Driver, along with private practices on the road. The aforementioned cars were chosen due to their popularity, affordability, usability, and overall general numbers as seen when out about on the streets of KL. This selection is more a subjective choosing of the five popular Malaysian hybrid cars, while facts and reviews on the car are objectively chosen from the aforementioned sources.
Will you buy a hybrid car in Malaysia? Post a thought in the comments below.
