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I am planning to buy a Toyota Estima Hybrid. I was told that the vehicle is not rated to tow a trailer. I am just a little surprised as this is a 2.4 litre petrol engine, so why can't it even tow a domestic trailer?

Shagen

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

It has little to do with engine size, its more to do with the what the designers intentions were for this type of vehicle.

I stand to be corrected, but Hybrid vehicles in general have no manufacture towing recommendations whether they be Toyota's or Honda's.

The hybrid technology was conceived in an effort to manufacture a vehicle with low emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

The Toyota hybrid design in particular has most benefit at low speeds where the vehicle can operate solely on its battery power. Towing a load of any description at slow speeds would totally confuse the engine management system and I would think revert the vehicle to petrol power only.

The other important point is the vehicles construction.

The vehicle is simply not designed to tow, and therefore the body and some mechanical components would be placed under severe pressure if a tow bar was added regardless of the intended load.

Bottom line is not even thinking about going there in my opinion.

I would also strongly recommend only buying such a vehicle via the Toyota Signature channels where currently, a three year unlimited warranty is offered amongst other benefits.