Selling Thousands per Month: How Practical is the Veloz Hybrid EV on the Road?
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Hybrid cars are increasingly becoming the choice for people who want to switch to electrified vehicles without drastically changing their driving habits. One model filling this niche is the Toyota Veloz Hybrid EV.
Unlike pure electric vehicles that require charging from an external power source, the full hybrid system in the Veloz does not require owners to plug the car into a charger. The battery receives its energy supply from the vehicle’s own system, including through regenerative braking when the car slows down or brakes.
The driving experience of this character was also felt when the Veloz Hybrid EV was used to navigate the urban roads of Yogyakarta. In testing at an average speed of around 30 km/h under normal road conditions, recorded fuel consumption reached 16-18 kilometres per litre based on the car’s indicator.
This figure is certainly not an absolute benchmark for all users. Fuel consumption may vary depending on traffic conditions, driving style, the number of passengers and goods carried, as well as air conditioning use.
Marketing Director of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), Bansar Maduma, said consumer needs for vehicles differ, including in terms of the driving experience and daily vehicle use.
“There are those who enjoy the performance and the sensation of driving, enjoy long journeys with their family, and also feel happy when owning a car that is efficient, practical, comfortable, and reliable every day,” said Bansar during a Journalist Test Drive event in Yogyakarta on Tuesday (15/9/26).
In terms of function, the Veloz Hybrid EV also retains its basic character as a family MPV. The three-row cabin continues to provide room for passengers as well as flexibility when the vehicle is used to carry goods.
This means the hybrid technology in the Veloz is not only about fuel savings. For consumers, one of its main attractions lies in the transition towards electrified vehicles that does not require major changes in car usage habits.
Market response to the Veloz Hybrid EV has shown considerable interest. Toyota has recorded monthly sales of the model consistently above 2,000 units since the beginning of 2026. By early September, its orders had surpassed 20,000 units.
Overall, sales of Toyota and Lexus electrified vehicles throughout January-August 2026 reached 38,769 units. This figure represents an 86% increase compared to the same period last year.
The Veloz Hybrid EV is one of the three models contributing the most to Toyota and Lexus electrified vehicle sales, alongside the Kijang Innova Zenix Hybrid EV and the Yaris Cross Hybrid EV.
During the same period, Toyota’s total wholesale sales reached 175,932 units, an increase of 9% compared to the January-August period the previous year. Electrified vehicles contributed around 21% of Toyota’s total sales.
Marketing Director of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), Hiroyuki Oide, said Toyota’s vehicle testing activities were also part of efforts to show consumers the differing character of each technology.
“This Journalist Test Drive not only invites our media colleagues to explore the advantages of Toyota’s products, but also to see how each vehicle can deliver a different ‘Joy’ according to the needs and lifestyle of each customer,” said Hiroyuki.