Hybrid Car Review

Toyota Auris Hybrid

Toyota has set the price for its Auris Hybrid at £18,950 for the base model, T4. The T Spirit model will cost £20,700.  That makes it a little more expensive the Honda Insight and a little bit less expensive than the Toyota Prius in the UK.

The Auris hybrid is the first hybrid to be built in the UK at the Derbyshire plant. The Auris hybrid mates the 1.8 liter engine to an electric motor for a total of 134 hp. It improves the Auris fuel efficiency by 19 percent and emits 17 percent less. The T4 is rated at 74.3 mpg with CO2 emissions of 89 g/km and the T Spirit models will average 70.6 mpg and 93 g/km. And it can go from 0-60 in 11.2 seconds for a top speed of 112 mph.

The Auris hybrid was shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show back in September. It's the first offering for what Toyota expects to be a full conversion of their line-up into hybrid options. Toyota hopes to capture the consumers who don't want to stand out as much from the crowd by buying a Prius. Instead, they want the fuel efficiency but without making a statement about it.

The T4 grade includes:

• Climate control air conditioning
• Six-speaker audio with CD, radio, MP3 file player
• USB and Aux-in connection
• Front and rear electric windows
• Electric, heated door mirrors
• Front fog lights
• LED running lights
• Colour-matched door handles and mirrors
• Push-button start
• Seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC)
• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

T Spirit grade adds:

• Leather and Alcantara upholstery
• Cruise control
• Bluetooth
• Dusk-sensing headlamps
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Smart Entry and Start
• Auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror
• Rear view camera display in rear view mirror

You can add in an optional NAV package for £1,200 or Bluetooth for £285. The NAV package includes satellite navigation, rear camera and rear parking sensors.