Toyota cars and car-based SUVs go hybrid-only in Australia

Toyota Australia is doubling down on its hybrid vehicles, announcing today that is is discontinuing petrol-only versions across its full range regular passenger cars and car-based SUVs.

GR performance models continue unaffected as the company says there is no hybrid alternative to the petrol-powered GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR 86, and GR Supra.

Toyota's move is not unexpected. In the past six months, it axed petrol versions of the Yaris city car and related Yaris Cross SUV to focus on hybrids, while also confirming the next-generation Camry due later this year would be hybrid only.

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Earlier this week, WhichCar reported that Toyota had appeared to withdraw petrol versions of the Corolla Cross from its website.

The latest Toyotas to join the hybrid-only club include the aforementioned Corolla Cross, sedan versions of the Corolla (the hatch was already hybrid only), RAV4 midsized SUV, and Kluger large SUV.

Aside from the fully electric bZ4X, it leaves the HiLux and 70 Series utes, Granvia people-mover, and the ladderframe Fortuner, Prado and LandCruiser as the only model ranges not to be hybrid only - all using diesel power.

The high-performance GR models will be the only Toyotas in Australia powered by petrol engines without electrification.

Toyota Australia says its hybrid sales have more than doubled year on year and it expects hybrids to account for more than half the brand's sales in 2025.

Toyota's move also means entry prices for its models going hybrid-only are likely to be higher, as the petrol-electric drivetrains have always carried a premium over regular petrol engines.

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