Is it over for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid? From the numbers and the price, yes. BYD King DM-i debuts with much more power and is cheaper
You don’t even have to ask: it can be said with conviction that the all-new BYD King DM-i goes far beyond the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, is more economical and costs much less. So is it over for the Corolla Hybrid? By the numbers, yes. But it’s worth comparing sedans.
The Chinese BYD King has just debuted in Brazil, imported, in two versions: GL DM-i 1.5 for R$ 175,800 and GS DM-i 1.5 for R$ 187,000. The Japanese Toyota Corolla Hybrid, produced in Brazil, costs R $ 190,120 in the Altis version and R $ 200,910 in the Altis Premium.
In entry-level versions, the BYD King costs R $ 14,320 less. In the top-of-the-range versions, the Chinese one still wins, cheaper by R$13,910. The BYD King is a plug-in hybrid and the Toyota Corolla is a flexible HEV hybrid with automatic charging.
The BYD King packs a power punch. Its 1.5 turbo has 110 HP and the Corolla Hybrid’s 1.8 naturally aspirated engine has 98 HP on petrol. The Chinese electric motor has 235 horsepower while the Japanese one (adding the two) delivers only 72 horsepower. In combined horsepower, the BYD King has 235 hp and the Toyota Corolla has 122 hp. Huge difference of 113 horsepower.
So, because it’s less powerful, the Corolla Hybrid is cheaper? No. Comparing both with petrol, the BYD King gets 18.5 km/l in the city and 15.7 on the highway. The Toyota Corolla gets 16.8 km/l in the city and 15.0 on the highway. It’s true that the Corolla Hybrid has the ethanol option, but almost no one uses it.
Being a plug-in hybrid, the BYD has an 18.3 kWh battery, while the Toyota, a conventional hybrid, has a 1.3 kWh battery. This means that it is possible to travel 80 km like a Chinese king only in electric mode, which significantly reduces not only consumption, but above all CO2 emissions. The Corolla Hybrid operates only in electric mode with minimal pressure on the accelerator (practically only during parking maneuvers).
Another advantage of the BYD King is its size. It is 4.78 m long, has a wheelbase of 2.72 m and has a boot volume of 470 litres. The Toyota Corolla measures 4.63 m in length, has a wheelbase of 2.70 m and has a boot of 450 litres.
Is it over for the Corolla Hybrid? It may not lose sales, thanks to Toyota’s consumer loyalty, but the chances of the BYD King selling more are huge. To maintain its leadership among medium sedans, the Toyota Corolla will need the 2.0 combustion versions more than ever. But this is another car proposal.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
