The disclosure relates to a hybrid vehicle and an emission reduction strategy. A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The powertrain has an engine and an electric machine. The controller isprogrammed to, for so long as a catalytic converter temperature is less than a threshold, maintain a steady state engine torque output and adjust an electric machine torque output to satisfy driver demand. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the catalytic converter temperature exceeding the threshold, permit adjustments of the engine torque output to satisfy the driver demand.