Toyota Auris Hybrid - opinions ?

ERICS_MUM

I've driven Toyotas for years so it was natural for me to pop into the main dealer when the time came to buy a new car.

I'm confused about this Hybrid malarkey, whether it's a good idea and well executed or a gimmick which doesn't add anything ?
Would I be better sticking to the ordinary Auris ?

Could anyone with a better understanding explain it to me please ?

Thanks

bigjl

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

I've driven Toyotas for years so it was natural for me to pop into the main dealer when the time came to buy a new car.

I'm confused about this Hybrid malarkey, whether it's a good idea and well executed or a gimmick which doesn't add anything ?
Would I be better sticking to the ordinary Auris ?

Could anyone with a better understanding explain it to me please ?

Thanks

If you drive in urban traffic they are probably all the car you will ever need.

Fuel economy is very goo round town.

Not quite as good on the motorway due to the simple fact he engine will run more of the time, though you can drive them for economy, check the US hypermilimg forums for ideas.

The Prius is probably the most reliable Private Hire in London ever. And the engine and hybrid system is the same.

The Auris Hybrid estate is also used by a fair number of Private Hire drivers.

If you like your driving smooth and quiet they are excellent.

If you like an involving drive not so much.

If you have a higher budget you could consider a Lexus CT200H.

benson1980

Hybrids are no gimmick and are excellent for motorway driving- more economical that any diesel I've ever driven or owned. They'll hold their value better as well versus the ordinary Auris.

wolfehouse

Love our auris hybrid
It's a fun drive
Zero road tax, good mileage (we've got an automatic)
And should the battery ever die it will still run.
I think it comes with a 5 year guarantee/warranty
The boot is smaller than it looks because the battery does take up a fair bit of space.

daveyjp

Small boot because of battery =no spare or option of fitting one.

A royal pain as you never get a puncture at a convenient time!

Honey_Badger

daveyjp wrote: »

Small boot because of battery =no spare or option of fitting one.

A royal pain as you never get a puncture at a convenient time!

The current Auris doesn't have the main battery in the boot, it's under the rear seat. The boot space is exactly the same.

oscarward

bigjl wrote: »

If you have a higher budget you could consider a Lexus CT200H.

Be careful, Lexus only have a 3 year warranty except the hybrid gear and battery which is 5 years.


But the customer care and build is superb.

ERICS_MUM

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer.

I'm still grappling with the basics of the Hybrid, could someone explain how the engine and battery set-up actually works, when does the battery kick-in and any down side to the arrangement ?

Thanks again.

EM x

Honey_Badger

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer.

I'm still grappling with the basics of the Hybrid, could someone explain how the engine and battery set-up actually works, when does the battery kick-in and any down side to the arrangement ?

Thanks again.

EM x

This might help with understanding how the engine and battery work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qvGJwTuBo

bigjl

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer.

I'm still grappling with the basics of the Hybrid, could someone explain how the engine and battery set-up actually works, when does the battery kick-in and any down side to the arrangement ?

Thanks again.

EM x

It does it so seamlessly you will likely not notice.

This Tech has been in the marketplace since 1998 when the mk1 Prius came out in Japan.

It was good then and has only got better.

Iceweasel

There is a pretty good explanation of how the driving modes work here:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/10-tips-for-maximising-your-hybrids-fuel-economy

Ignore the title - it's a general description of the system too.