This article proposes a novel hybrid rotor permanent magnet (HRPM) machine for the performance of torque and overload capability with the constraint of the rotor diameter. In order to optimize the electromagnetic performance, an analytical model (AM) is built by the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) of the rotor and stator considering the saturation and leakage flux effect. A good prediction accuracy is verified by the finite element method (FEM), even in high saturation condition. Based on the AM, the characteristics of the hybrid magnetic pole rotor are analyzed by the equivalent strategy that equivalent PM remanence and thickness of single pole in rotor. Furthermore, a response surface method (RSM) for multi-variate and multi-objective optimization is adapted to improve the electromagnetic performance because of the high torque density and PM material utilization. Finally, a comparison of the torque, PM eddy current loss and anti-demagnetization performance is investigated among surface-mount PM (SPM) machine, spoke-type PM (STPM) machine and HRPM machine. The comparison results show the hybrid PM rotor machine enhances higher torque density and overload capability. Finally, a 12 slot/10 pole HRPM machine is prototyped and tested to validate the analyses.