Why used hybrid cars are attracting buyers at Toyota Sure

With 20 years of experience in the automotive business, Hong Hanh bought a used 2022 Corolla Altis HEV at Toyota Sure, driven by her love for hybrid sedans and desire for peace of mind.

After years with her Hyundai i20 Active, Le Hong Hanh (Dinh Cong ward, Hanoi) considers her 2022 Corolla Altis HEV a stroke of luck. Her decision to buy the car took just "90 seconds" through Toyota Sure, Toyota Vietnam's certified pre-owned program.

"I was happy with my i20 Active, but always thought if I had the chance, I'd switch to a Toyota because of the quality of Japanese cars. My husband wanted a hybrid because it's the current market trend," said Hanh, owner of the Corolla Altis HEV.

In recent years, the used car market in Vietnam has seen more options from authorized dealers. Toyota is among the pioneers in this new segment with Toyota Sure.

With 20 years in the automotive business, Hanh explained that buying a used car often comes with risks: accidents, flood damage, tampering, odometer rollbacks, and uncertain maintenance history.

"Many people worry about these things throughout their ownership, which creates unnecessary stress," Hanh shared. "I understood these concerns, so I chose Toyota Sure. The price might be slightly higher, but it's worth it for the Toyota brand's reputation and the peace of mind during ownership."

According to Toyota, all used cars purchased by Toyota Sure undergo a 193-point inspection by globally trained technicians. The company provides transparent information on quality, repair history, maintenance, and legal status. Depending on the model, Toyota offers a warranty of up to 24 months or 30,000 km, whichever comes first.

Hanh's Corolla Altis HEV is under warranty until 6/2027, and the hybrid battery is covered for seven years, until 6/2029. This is one of the best hybrid battery warranties on the market. Currently, Toyota Sure has 36 dealerships and branches nationwide.

After three months and 5,000 km, Hanh praised the Corolla Altis HEV for its fuel efficiency, attractive design, and pearl white color. "I value the Toyota brand for its durability, low running costs, and convenient after-sales service available throughout Vietnam," she said.

In Vietnam, the popularity of SUVs has impacted the C-segment sedan market, with the Corolla Altis facing competition from the Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross, which are among the top-selling models. Hanh even considered the gasoline-powered Corolla Cross before choosing the Corolla Altis HEV.

However, despite the shift towards SUVs, sedans retain a loyal following due to their classic Toyota values, technology, and driving experience.

The Corolla Altis doesn't compete on price in the C-segment. Instead, it emphasizes leading technologies, particularly the hybrid option, showcasing Toyota's forward-thinking approach. The HEV version combines a 1.8-liter, 97 horsepower gasoline engine producing 142 Nm of torque with a 71 horsepower electric motor generating 163 Nm of torque.

Power distribution between the gasoline engine and electric motor is automatic and adaptable to driving conditions, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 4.3 liters/100 km, significantly lower than other gasoline cars in its class. "I drive 25-30 km daily in Hanoi traffic, and the fuel consumption is around 4.5 liters/100 km. On a trip from Hanoi to Quang Binh, I only needed one tank of gas, costing roughly 1,000 dong per kilometer," Hanh shared.

Besides fuel efficiency, the hybrid engine offers a pleasant driving experience, reducing stress in city driving with its quiet operation when using the electric motor. The self-charging feature eliminates the need for charging stations, making it a suitable transition in markets like Vietnam.

The Corolla Altis also benefits from the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which lowers the center of gravity and enhances safety. The slim A-pillars improve visibility. Toyota has equipped the sedan with the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package, including features like: pre-collision warning, lane departure alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The top-of-the-line HEV version adds tire pressure monitoring, blind spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and a head-up display (HUD).

The Toyota Corolla Altis is available in Vietnam in three versions, priced from 725 to 870 million dong. The car comes with a five-year/150,000 km warranty, and the hybrid battery is covered for seven years/150,000 km, whichever comes first.