CONTROLLER AND CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

A controller is employed in a vehicle including an engine, a motor generator, and a hydraulically-driven clutch. The controller includes a CPU that executes: a first starting process that starts, when starting the engine under a condition in which a system shaft torque is less than a shaft torque determination value, combustion in the engine after increasing an engine rotation speed to a motor rotation speed by engaging the clutch; a second starting process that starts, when starting the engine under a condition in which the system shaft torque is greater than or equal to the shaft torque determination value, combustion in the engine after the crankshaft starts to be rotated by engaging the clutch, the combustion being started before the engine rotation speed reaches the motor rotation speed; and a setting process that sets the shaft torque determination value to be larger as an oil temperature becomes lower.