We review the Toyota Auris Hybrid from price to economy and all its features
IT HAS been a nightmare year so far for Toyota. But one very important new car has coincided with things turning round.
The Auris Hybrid is the first petrol/electric hybrid model to be made in Europe — and it’s being built at Burnaston near Derby.
Dream ticket ... Toyota's Auris Hybrid will return an amazing 74mpg
It’s a very significant car, not only because it will safeguard thousands of British jobs but because it’s the first hybrid that is more affordable to mainstream family hatchback customers at under £19,000.
And after the embarrassment of having to recall eight million cars across the world due to safety problems — the 74mpg Auris Hybrid shows that Toyota are getting back on track.
I was given a tour of the Burnaston production lines that will build the hybrid model, alongside the standard Auris and Avensis models — and the attention to safety and quality was exceptional.
Toyota were clearly guilty, particularly in America, of growing too quickly and pushing production so hard that quality standards dropped, which resulted in all the recalls.
They have paid a heavy price, with the two billion dollar cost of the recalls — more than 80,000 cars in the UK alone — and also from the damage to the company’s hard-earned reputation.
But there is no doubt that they are coming out of the crisis a stronger business with an even greater focus on the quality and reliability that was previously responsible for their success around the world.
And after a first test-drive of the Auris Hybrid, I’m equally convinced they have a car that is an environmentally friendly breakthrough for family motoring that is also relatively affordable and instantly relevant.
Visually the hybrid looks almost identical to the standard Auris, but comes with a handful of subtle design tweaks.
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There’s a new one-piece chrome dash where the Toyota badge is finished in light blue to signify its hybrid status. There’s also a re-arranged lower bumper and LED daytime lights, while the body is lowered by 5mm and the rear gets a roof spoiler.
The effect is to make the hybrid look sportier, not something usually associated with hybrids and which, together with a recent overall face-lift, makes the Auris now a lot more visually impressive than the original version.
But the real breakthrough is what has happened under the skin. The Auris gets the same 1.8litre engine and electric motor from the Prius. More good news — the engine is also built in the UK at Deeside.
The car has the dream ticket of 74mpg and the same performance as a 2litre diesel engine.
Plus it has the ability to run for 15 miles on pure electric which means no congestion charges and no road tax because of its 89g/km or 93g/km of CO2 emissions, depending on the wheel options.
OK, the 74mpg is from perfect driving conditions and a very light right foot, but 60mpg will be easily achievable and that’s a serious saving with the rising price of petrol.
The other good bit is that the Auris Hybrid is actually a nice drive, with well-balanced steering, a good comfortable ride and it feels equally competent in the city or on motorways.
There are four driving modes including ECO, Electric and Power that are all fairly self-explanatory and there are various diagrams that flash on the screen to tell you how your are driving and how much power you are using.
From start-up and up to speeds of 31mph in normal mode, the Auris runs automatically and silently on its electric motor.
The petrol engine cuts in automatically if the system thinks that extra power is needed.
On the inside, the hybrid gets the same trim and lay-out improvements as the face-lifted 2010 model, but the driver’s main instrument panel sees the tachometer replaced by the ECO drive Assist monitor.
The centre panel includes additional hybrid info like energy power flow and ECO drive figures, plus a hybrid blue push-button start control switch.
The interior is smartly finished in dark grey with a blue check cloth upholstery that is specific for the hybrid, with leather and Alcantara seats as an option.
Toyota see the Auris Hybrid as a car that can convert lots of ordinary drivers to hybrid motoring, even more than the Prius that has been the pioneer for hybrids. On sale in July, priced £18,950.