Hybrid Car Segment

5 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 electric cars is coming to an end, now is a great 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:

   

Toyota Prius C

The Prius C is the world’s best selling hybrid thanks to its affordability, ease of use, and impressive gas mileage. Here in Malaysia, the vehicle goes for RM97,313 with insurance. This beats the price of its main rival within the same price range, the Honda Insight. The Prius C has a 1.5 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, ABS, EBD, brake assist, auto climate control, cruise control, and a keyless lock system.

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, although individuals tend to either love or hate its design aesthetic. It’s curves, lines, and interior give it a futuristic look, and no matter what your stance on it, the vehicle is definitely a head turner.

Performance-wise, the CR-Z houses a 1.5 litre engine and an electric motor, providing it with up to 130 horsepower with a top speed of 200km/h. This makes it faster than the Prius C. Some critics note that the CR-Z is fun and thrilling to drive, thanks to its good performance and features like its standard six-speed manual transmission. It also comes with comfortable seats and many standard features, such as a backup camera, cruise control, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker stereo system complete with a USB port

Audi A6 Hybrid

The hybrid version of the A6 makes for one interesting luxury sedan—it is perhaps what a young, 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, although that doesn’t mean that it has lost any of the driving thrills that make it an Audi.

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 small trunk. Besides the minor flaws, this hybrid really is one cool, eco-friendly cat. The A6 Hybrid goes for RM280,000 (without additional options), which is RM235,000 less than the flagship model.

Honda Jazz Hybrid

The Jazz Hybrid is a great car to drive from point A to point B without any hiccups. It has adequate power, decent fuel economy, and functions well in the hands of most drivers. Malaysian buyers have two options if they wish to buy the Jazz Hybrid: the internationally assembled 1.3 Litre model, or the CKD, which is the first hybrid to be assembled locally.

Although 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 new, innovative technology, with the current Jazz design reaching the five-year-old mark. Nevertheless, the Jazz Hybrid is extremely practical, versatile, and has that Honda reliability.

Lexus CT 200h

Another popular hybrid in Malaysia is the two-year-old Lexus CT 200h. This car is positioned 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 electric motor, a generator, a high-performance 168-cell battery, a power control unit, and a power-split device under the hood.

Factory tests indicate that the CT 200h is capable of achieving up to 33km per litre. It also features engaging handling for a hybrid, has a driver-friendly cabin, and great 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.