Launched four years ago, the second-generation Toyota Aqua proved that Toyota's reasonably priced hybrid is pretty much alive and became the ideal new car for the new normal. Now updated for the 2026 Model Year, this latest minor change is high time to reintroduce the second-generation Toyota Aqua to the motoring public.
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| 2026 Toyota Aqua |
Now starting at 2,486,000 Yen plus additional costs, the updated second-generation Aqua is a far cry from being a reasonably priced hybrid because of that massive MSRP hike, meaning it's more expensive to own than the hybrid variant of the Toyota Yaris, but it's still more affordable than today's Toyota Prius. It's still reasonable even in hard times.
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| 2026 Toyota Aqua interior |
Beginning with the exterior design, the Aqua now dons the hammerhead front face that most modern-day Toyotas (or Ferraris) have, while the rear taillights have been slightly revamped. The interior has been slightly revised with a slightly bigger touchscreen, a recalibrated dashboard, and a revised instrument cluster. Despite revisions, it still works and feels just like before.
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| 2026 Toyota Aqua |
Like before, the Aqua runs on a similar TNGA compact platform as well as front MacPherson struts, rear Torsion beam for FF models or Double Wishbones for 4WD models, front ventilated disc brakes, and rear reading trailing drum brakes. Although not as sophisticated and fun to drive as the European hatches, it still has checks and balances to give drivers a more relaxing driving feel all the time.
Under the hood, the Aqua runs on the 1.5L Dynamic Force engine bolted to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery for all models. No more bipolar batteries, boo. Mated to a CVT, FF models have a fuel economy of 34.3km/L while e-Four models have 30km/L based on WLTC mode standards.
In terms of safety, the Aqua features a wide range of safety techs such as the Pre-Crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, and the Toyota Teammate, a first for a compact Toyota car, among many others.
Although slightly less fuel-efficient than before, due to the deletion of the bipolar Ni-Mh battery, not to mention the drastic price hike, the updated second-generation Aqua is still packing common sense as the hybrid that costs less than today's Prius.
Available Colors: Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Emotional Red II, Clear Beige Metallic, Mud Bath, Urban Khaki, Grayish Blue, Black Mica x Grayish Blue, Black Mica x Mud Bath, and Black Mica x Clear Beige Metallic.
Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
