What is it?
In effect, this is an Auris with Prius electro-mechanicals, providing a Toyota hybrid at slightly lower prices in more mainstream clothing.
The headline news is its class-leading 89g/km, the servicing costs of a 1.0 Yaris and the low tax it attracts.
Its 74.3mpg just betters the Prius, although their CO2 numbers are identical, while the Auris also tops the less powerful, stop-start Focus Econetic (109bhp, 99g/km) and Golf BlueMotion (103bhp, 99g/km).
Its petrol engine is an Atkinson cycle 132bhp 1.8, a 79bhp, 153lb ft electric motor supplementing the former’s 105lb ft. For technical reasons you can’t add these numbers, but the theoretical peak is 295lb ft.
What's it like?
It certainly doesn’t feel like adding the power and torque figures is legitimate on the road, its admittedly brisk powertrain lacking the immense low-to-mid-range tug of the Auris 2.0 diesel that it replaces.
With its CVT transmission prompting persistent high-rev thrash when worked hard, this an unwelcome substitute for the tachometer replaced by a gauge revealing the charging status of the battery.
Switching to Eco, via a switch behind a stubby gear selector whose return-to-neutral mechanism promotes confusion, softens the noise by dulling the throttle response, together with performance. But for commuting, it’s fine – and the threshing noises create an incentive to back off and save fuel.
You can also drive in pure electric mode, at up to 31mph for 1.2 miles, but the motor is better left to deploy when the ingenious brain sees fit, which is often in urban jams.
A hard and decidedly uneconomical thrash through the hills produced 36.6mpg – another economy-minded tester managed 57.7mpg - so 60mpg-plus should be on.
But thrashing this Auris is an unrewarding experience, this hybrid version shorn of the recently-titivated conventional versions’ improved agility – blame Cd-reducing lowered suspension, fuel-eking high tyre-pressures and extra weight – and its steering is pretty lifeless too.
Should I buy one?
This is a car that’s more transport - if intriguing transport - than engaging drive, but one that proves civil at sensible speeds (more so than the Prius) and tempts very effectively with its dramatically reduced running costs.
Richard Bremner
Join the debate
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
This is a car that’s more transport - if intriguing transport - than engaging drive, but one that proves civil at sensible speeds (more so than the Prius) and tempts very effectively with its dramatically reduced running costs.
Doesn't really answer the question
Should I buy One?
but maybe that's because I shouldn't???
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
A car for a boring person. In context that means id struggle to be entertained in the company of someone who drives one
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
A car for a boring person.
I would disagree, perhaps the person who buys an Auris has a fantastic, busy and enjoyable life and is a confident enough person not to need there car to be an extension of themselves.
I like this car purely because it does not shout that you are a tree hugger like the Prius does it just gets on with the job quietly.
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
A car for a boring person.
I would disagree, perhaps the person who buys an Auris has a fantastic, busy and enjoyable life and is a confident enough person not to need there car to be an extension of themselves.
I like this car purely because it does not shout that you are a tree hugger like the Prius does it just gets on with the job quietly.
I agree with all of that Jon,I just wish it was a couple of grand cheaper.
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
Disappointingly expensive.
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
"Disappointingly expensive." - in comparison with?
Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Econetic
Test date 21 January 2010
Price as tested £20,445
Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion
Test date 28 January 2010
Price as tested £18,685
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
Disappointingly expensive.
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
This car should be compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid in the same way the Prius is compared to the Insight. In this respect, the Auris is night and day superior.
Don't forget, there are plenty out there who hate the smell, noise and extra cost of diesel and want a refined and economical car.
If Toyota are guilty of making automotive white goods then so what. When you drive for 2 hours every day in London traffic, you can't appreciate steering feel, sublime handling and poise, but you can appreciate comfort, noise suppresion, a decent radio and free congestion charge.
By the way, I could save £175 per month alone on the congestion charge as well as the free road tax and reduced fuel costs, lets call it about £200 per month. For that I can buy a used Lotus Elise on a PCP and still have my cake and eat it!
Re: Toyota Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive T4
If a lot of the time the engine has to charge the baterys to run the electric motor then its not very economical as it then strains the petrol engine. I know sum1 with a prius company car and its using more fuel than the old toyota rav4 diesel
