What Car? @ the Future Car Challenge - Toyota Auris Hybrid

Car: Toyota Auris Hybrid
Technology: petrol-electric hybrid
Range: n/a
On sale: now
Driven by: Matt Sanger
What Car? used car editor

The Toyota Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) uses the same technology as its sibling the Toyota Prius. That means a 1.8-litre petrol engine working with an electric motor, and an engine stop-start system to help cut emissions and improve fuel economy.

On paper, it has an official average of 74.3mpg and emits just 89g/km, but on our run today the on-board computer showed an average of 72.8mpg, which is not so bad. However, I was being very conservative, and I'm not sure I could drive that that all the time.

We managed to use the hybrid in pure electric mode as we drove out of Brighton, but as soon as we hit faster roads the engine was needed to boost power. The Auris was very easy to drive and comfortable, and for most of the trip it was easy to forget you were in a hybrid. The switch over between electric and petrol power is seamless and made for a very calm drive, even as we hit bad traffic on the way to London's West End.