Toyota Yaris - Hybrid v Petrol

Goldiegirl

Within the next 2 - 3 months we are considering buying a new car.


I've had a Toyota Yaris for 12 years since I bought it new, and we are thinking of buying a new Yaris


We've been thinking of the Hybrid, because it'd be 'cheaper to run', but on doing a little internet reading, it seems that it might not be the case.


We are newly retired, and we anticipate that our mileage will be low. We'd only be using the car around town, for a few days out, and driving down to Southampton for cruises.


Although the hybrid has a zero road tax, I think the VED for the petrol model is only £30.00. We aren't using much petrol at present - the last time we filled up was January 20th. We'll probably go out and about more in the summer, but in winter it's quite possible that the car won't be used for a week or so.


I have other concerns about the battery in the hybrid, regarding how long it would last (we'd most likely be keeping the car for a long time), and also how the battery would react if it wasn't used very often - i.e. would it go flat as it wasn't being charged on a regular basis.


The hybrid is obviously more expensive, and I'm thinking that any day to day savings on running costs would take years to make up for the initial higher outlay


I just wondered if anybody had any thoughts on whether they'd go for the hybrid or the petrol model, if they were in our situation

DUTR

Hybrid and all electric are too much in their infancy, for the low mileage , VED and useage I'd go petrol.

forgotmyname

Autocar got 51mpg on their tests. Honest John says average of 57mpg, compared to 53mpg for the standard petrol car.

daveyjp

Hybrid is auto which may be a benefit.

Goldiegirl

If we went for the petrol option we'd get the automatic version anyway, as we've driven autos for more than 30 years. From the comments here, it tends to confirm that the petrol model would probably suit us best. We've got plenty of time to think about it, and look at other manufacturers as well. Thanks for your input

knightstyle

Another vote for the petrol one. Wonder what the resale market for a hybrid will be in years to come when the batteries need replacing?
With your style of driving do not get a diesel even if the garage offer one free!

gilbert_and_sullivan

Wouldn't worry too much about the hybrid batteries, the internet isn't exactly bursting at the seams with stories of people having to use their life savings to replace them...and be assured the Toyota haters (and makers of overrated competition) would be only too pleased to keep any single one of those stories going.

No trouble finding buyers for them either in due course, Toyota's hybrid story has been a success, in no small part to the way they deal with any problems that should arise, often long after the normal warranty has expired.

Having said that, if your mileage is going to be as low as currently there seems little point in paying the extra, however it might be worth paying the same for a year old low mileage hybrid if you can find one as you would for a new petrol version.

Might be an idea to try one out anyway, i like the silent eerily smooth pick up, some people maybe more used to 4 cyl tractor Diesels don't like them.

captainawsome

Hybrid will not suit your needs as far as I can see. You say quite rightly it will take years to recoupe the purchase price in fuel costs. Hybrids are excellent for people who are often driving in congested inner cities but also travel motorway miles in between, with the benefit of no congestion charge and the 'environmental benefit' they're appealing to certain people, but if I was you I'd get the petrol.

Tobster86

Yaris is a very well screwed together car, with excellent residual values as a result.

And I'd almost argue in favour of the automatic over manual on reliability grounds as well; since while automatics are more complex, they're quite well refined now, and lack a clutch which go relatively often on small town cars.

Keep it all simple and go for the petrol. There will be no practical savings in a hybrid or diesel in my opinion.

Yolina

forgotmyname wrote: »

Autocar got 51mpg on their tests. Honest John says average of 57mpg, compared to 53mpg for the standard petrol car.

I've had a Yaris Hybrid for 2 years and a bit; real-life average done by me over a tankful have consistently yielded 72mg in summer, 64mpg in winter and 60mpg on motorway so not too shabby for what is essentially a petrol car and I'm certainly not complaining

I'll be the first to admit that it's not the most pleasant thing to drive on the motorway, but it does the job. And like pretty much any other car, it's not particularly mpg-happy on really short trips.
And FWIW I'm an accidental buyer I tried it out of curiosity last time I was looking at changing shopping trolley, and ended up getting one.
It may not be suited to the OP though if the mileage is going to be really low.

Goldiegirl

Thanks for more comments - I think we are almost certainly going to go for the petrol model.


Although I'm curious about the hybrid - if we get a chance of a test drive, we might just try it for the experience.