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.

Toyota Aqua
2017–2021 Toyota Aqua (NHP10, Japan)
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Also calledToyota Prius c (2011–2021)
ProductionDecember 2011[1] – present
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car/Supermini (B)
Body style5-door hatchback

The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years.[2] 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.[3] The Aqua was the best-selling (non-kei) car in Japan for three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015.[4][5][6]

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".[7]

First generation (NHP10; 2011)

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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.[8] A second facelift was introduced in June 2017, with the crossover-inspired variant redesigned and renamed as the Aqua Crossover.[9]

Second generation (XP210; 2021)

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Second generation
 
Aqua Z (MXPK11, Japan)
Overview
Model codeXP210
Production2021–present
AssemblyJapan: Kanegasaki, Iwate (TMEJ)
Designer
  • Shingo Tomooka (project chief designer)[10]
  • Yoshihiro Shimada, Syota Ito and Mika Ueno (exterior)[10]
  • Ryota Fujishima and Ai Murai (interior)[10]
Body and chassis
Layout
PlatformTNGA: GA-B[11]
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Electric motor
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)
TransmissioneCVT
Hybrid drivetrainPower-split
Battery
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length4,050–4,095 mm (159.4–161.2 in)
Width1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height1,485–1,505 mm (58.5–59.3 in)
Curb weight1,080–1,230 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.[12] It was initially offered in four grade levels: B, X, G and Z.[13] The GR Sport grade was added later on 29 November 2022.[14][15][16]

According to Toyota, the second-generation Aqua is the world's first vehicle to use a high-output bipolar nickel–metal hydride battery.[17] 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.[13] This battery is used on the X, G, Z and GR Sport grades, while the B grade used the lithium-ion unit.

Sales

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Calendar year Japan[18][19]
2011 361
2012 266,574
2013 262,367
2014 233,212
2015 215,525
2016 168,208[20]
2017 131,615[21]
2018 126,561[22]
2019 103,803[23]
2020 59,548[24]
2021 72,495[25]
2022 72,084
2023 80,268[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Affiliates (Toyota wholly-owned subsidiaries)-Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc". Toyota. 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  2. ^ Mat Gasnier (12 January 2013). "Japan Full Year 2012: All-new Toyota Aqua tickles Prius". Best Selling Cars Blog. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Worldwide Sales of Toyota Hybrids Surpass 10 Million Units" (Press release). Toyota City, Japan: Toyota. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017. This latest milestone of 10 million units was achieved just nine months after total sales reached 9 million units at the end of April 2016. The Prius family accounts for 61% of Toyota's total global cumulative hybrid car sales: 6.115 million units, consisting of Prius liftback: 3.9846 million; Aqua, Prius c: 1.3801 million; Prius α, Prius v, Prius +: 614,700; and Prius PHV: 79,300.
  4. ^ Henk Bekker (8 January 2015). "2014 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Best Selling Cars. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  5. ^ Bekker, Henk (8 January 2016). "2015 (Full Year) Japan: : 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Best Selling Cars. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  6. ^ Gasnier, Mat (17 January 2017). "Japan Full Year 2016: Toyota Prius returns to #1 spot after 3 year-hiatus". Best Selling Cars Blog. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  7. ^ "TMC Launches 'Aqua' in Japan | Toyota | Global Newsroom". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  8. ^ "TOYOTA、アクアをマイナーチェンジ | トヨタ自動車株式会社 公式企業サイト" [TOYOTA makes minor changes to Aqua -A new crossover style "X-URBAN" is available-]. global.toyota. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Toyota Aqua Aka The Prius C Gets A Facelift And A New Crossover Variant". Carscoops. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "Aqua Design Sketches". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. Toyota. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Toyota to Launch All-New Aqua". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  12. ^ "きたぞ9年半ぶり!! 新型アクア発表発売 かつての王者は捲土重来なるか" [It's been 9 and a half years since then! New Aqua announced and released]. 自動車情報誌「ベストカー」 (in Japanese). 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Toyota to Launch All-New Aqua". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  14. ^ "2代目 アクア GR SPORT発売" [2nd generation Aqua GR SPORT released] (Press release) (in Japanese). Toyota Global. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  15. ^ Padeanu, Adrian (29 November 2022). "2023 Toyota Aqua GR Sport Revealed With Sporty Visual Bits, Hardware Tweaks". Motor1. US: Motorsport Network. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  16. ^ Pappas, Thanos (29 November 2022). "2023 Toyota Aqua Gains The GR Sport Treatment In Japan". Carscoops. US: Carscoops. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Batteries". Toyota Industries. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Worldwide Sales of Toyota Hybrids Surpass 9 Million Units" (Press release). Toyota City, Japan: Toyota. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  19. ^ "実績データ(ハイブリッド車グローバル販売)" [Actual data (global sales hybrid vehicles)] (Press release) (in Japanese). Toyota City, Japan: Toyota. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  20. ^ "2016 (Full Year) Japan: 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  21. ^ "2017 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  22. ^ "2018 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  23. ^ "2019 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  24. ^ "2020 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  25. ^ "2021 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  26. ^ "2023 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models - Car Sales Statistics". www.best-selling-cars.com. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
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