Toyota Aqua

2017–2021 Toyota Aqua (NHP10, Japan)
Overview
Manufacturer Toyota
Also called Toyota Prius c (2011–2021)
Production December 2011 – present
Body and chassis
Class Subcompact car/Supermini (B)
Body style 5-door hatchback

The Toyota Aqua (Japanese: トヨタ・アクア, Hepburn: Toyota Akua) is a full hybrid electric subcompact/supermini hatchback (B-segment) manufactured and marketed by Toyota since 2011. The nameplate is exclusive to the Japanese domestic market, as the vehicle was exported to overseas markets as the Prius c, leveraging the popularity of the Prius hybrid car nameplate and marketed as the smaller alternative to the Prius liftback.

The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years. As of January 2017, the Aqua/Prius c is the second highest-selling Toyota hybrid model after the regular Prius, with 1,380,100 units sold worldwide. Japan as Aqua’s market leader has sold 1,154,500 units of the model through January 2017. The Aqua was the best-selling (non-kei) car in Japan for three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015.

The name Aqua means ‘water’ in Latin. The name was meant to associate the car with an “image of clean transparency” and “something that is universally cherished”.

First generation (NHP10; 2011)

The production version of the first-generation Aqua was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Its design was previously previewed by the Prius c concept car which was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show. The first facelift was announced in December 2014, along with a crossover-inspired variant called the X-URBAN. A second facelift was introduced in June 2017, with the crossover-inspired variant redesigned and renamed as the Aqua Crossover.

Second generation (XP210; 2021)

Second generation

Aqua Z (MXPK11, Japan)
Overview
Model code XP210
Production 2021–present
Assembly Japan: Kanegasaki, Iwate (TMEJ)
Designer
  • Shingo Tomooka (project chief designer)
  • Yoshihiro Shimada, Syota Ito and Mika Ueno (exterior)
  • Ryota Fujishima and Ai Murai (interior)
Body and chassis
Layout
  • Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
  • Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (E-Four)
Platform TNGA: GA-B
Related
  • Toyota Yaris (XP210)
  • Toyota Yaris Cross (XP210)
  • Toyota Sienta (XP210)
Powertrain
Engine
  • Petrol hybrid:
  • 1490 cc M15A-FXE I3 (MXPK10/11/15/16)
Electric motor
  • 1NM AC synchronous (front)
  • 1MM AC synchronous (rear)
Power output
  • 67 kW (90 hp; 91 PS) (petrol engine only)
  • 59 kW (79 hp; 80 PS) (1NM electric motor)
  • 3.9–4.7 kW (5.2–6.3 hp; 5.3–6.4 PS) (1MM electric motor)
  • 85 kW (114 hp; 116 PS) (combined system output)
Transmission eCVT
Hybrid drivetrain Power-split
Battery
  • 5.0 Ah nickel–metal hydride battery (X, G, Z, GR Sport grades)
  • 4.3 Ah lithium-ion (B grade)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length 4,050–4,095 mm (159.4–161.2 in)
Width 1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height 1,485–1,505 mm (58.5–59.3 in)
Curb weight 1,080–1,230 kg (2,381–2,712 lb)

The second-generation Aqua was unveiled on 19 July 2021 and went on sale on the same day. Built on the GA-B platform shared with the XP210 series Yaris, the wheelbase has been extended by 50 mm (2.0 in) compared to the previous generation. It retained the 1,695 mm (66.7 in) width, allowing it to remain in the “compact car” category of Japanese government dimension regulations. It was initially offered in four grade levels: B, X, G and Z. The GR Sport grade was added later on 29 November 2022.

According to Toyota, the second-generation Aqua is the world’s first vehicle to use a high-output bipolar nickel–metal hydride battery. This offers twice the output of the standard nickel-metal hydride battery in the previous generation. The battery also delivers improved accelerator responsiveness and enables linear and smooth acceleration from low speeds, according to the carmaker. The speed range at which the vehicle can operate solely on electrical power has also been increased. This battery is used on the X, G, Z and GR Sport grades, while the B grade used the lithium-ion unit.

Sales

Calendar year Japan
2011 361
2012 266,574
2013 262,367
2014 233,212
2015 215,525
2016 168,208
2017 131,615
2018 126,561
2019 103,803
2020 59,548
2021 72,495
2022 72,084
2023 80,268

See also

  • List of Toyota vehicles

References

  • Media related to Toyota Aqua at Wikimedia Commons
  • Data related to Toyota Aqua at Wikidata
  • Official website (in Japanese)


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