Our cars: Toyota Prius+ - May

Toyota Prius+ 1.8 VVT-I T Spirit

Week ending May 17
Mileage 4190
Driven this week 610 miles

Toyota Prius+ review

Disappointed by an average of just 40.8mpg from the Toyota Prius+, I've been making a point of driving as efficiently as possible to see if some additional effort on my part will help improve my fuel return.

As well as accelerating and braking really smoothly, and anticipating the situation as far ahead as possible to avoid slowing down or stopping unnecessarily, I've had some tips from Toyota's driving efficiency expert, Steve Croughan. In particular, Steve has recommended that I choose a speed I'll be able to maintain in the given road conditions; then, having reached it, very slightly lift my right foot off the accelerator to tell the Prius+ to switch from the petrol engine to battery power.

After this, a light touch with the right foot should be enough to keep the car rolling along using battery power alone, at least until it becomes too depleted or a change in the road conditions require the petrol engine to kick in.

It's a technique that takes a bit of getting used to but it seems to be paying off, with the car's trip meter reading an average of 53.3mpg at present. I can't help but wonder if the warmer weather has helped, too (all batteries struggle in the cold, after all), but there must surely be some relationship between my new driving methods and the Prius+ lower fuel consumption.

By Alex Newby
Alex.Newby@whatcar.com


Week ending May 10
Mileage 3580
Driven this week 167 miles

The arrival of some sunshine brought the first outing for the Prius+'s rear sunblinds, particularly because my little boys can't dodge the sun's rays while they're strapped tight into their car seats.

The blinds proved very effective, but not such great quality: having been pressed into service for the past two weeks, the passenger-side blind appears exhausted, and refuses to retract into the door when not in use.

Leaving it hanging down over the car door isn't an option because it'll tempt my two-year-old into some sort of misdemeanour, so it will have to stay in place over the window until I can get to my local Toyota service centre – not such a welcome feature on gloomy days.

Alex.Newby@whatcar.com