Since 2009, all new Toyota hybrid models launched after the third generation Toyota Prius wear the blue tinted Toyota logo. The blue outlines on the Toyota emblem is the most obvious differentiator for hybrid variants of Toyota models. That and the trio of wave-pattern Hybrid logos on the boot lid and front fenders (fitted since second generation Prius, 2003) is visual identifiers of Toyota hybrid models.

At yesterday’s launch of the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix in Indonesia however, the show car was the flagship hybrid variant but curiously, it wore the standard Toyota emblem, without any blue outlines.

We also took a closer look at the recently unveiled fifth generation 2023 Toyota Prius, realized that it too didn’t have any blue outlines on its Toyota emblem, suggesting what we saw on the Innova is not a fluke but new design identity (or lack off) for new Toyota hybrid models.

We can confirm that Toyota will be dropping its signature blue emblem on all its hybrid models launched from this point onwards. The wave-pattern Hybrid badge on the boot lid and front sides however, will remain.

The reason? Toyota says hybrid is now mainstream and, in many markets, hybrid models constitutes for more than more than 50 percent of its local sales. In Western Europe for example, 70 percent of Toyota models sold there are hybrids. In Thailand, more than 50 percent of Camry sold are hybrids, likewise for 85 percent of Toyota Corolla Cross.

Also read: Malaysians say hybrids are unreliable, 85% of Thai Toyota Corolla Cross are hybrids

Thus, Toyota finds that it is no longer necessary to have a different emblem for hybrid models and it is better to maintain a unified logo for all its models.

The wave-pattern Hybrid badge on the boot lid on front sides however, will be retained as this is a variant differentiator.

Currently, Toyota doesn’t have any variant name for its hybrids. For example, regular combustion engine variants of the Toyota Corolla Cross are given alphanumeric designations like 1.8G and 1.8V, but the range topping hybrid variant is simply called Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid.