What £8,000 Hybrid?

[C.A.R.]

Before we start, it's not for me!

I recently got a hybrid as a company car - in this context I think they make a lot of sense (high MPG, low BIK) but as a private purchase I don't think I'd personally consider anything hybrid - yet - at this price point. Possibly a Golf / Passat GTE but these are still £14k+ on the used market.

My friend is determined that a hybrid is the way to go to save the planet. We're not trying to educate anyone here, so hold your opinions! (well, I tried)

Criteria-
Needs to last - friend has just purchased first house, is about to get married, will then be planning on starting a family - so practicality and 5 doors is pretty much a must (shame, Honda CRZ is out )

So £8,000 seems to get you -

- Toyota Prius - 2010-12 vintage, ~ 60k miles
- Honda Insight 1.3 - 2012+, ~ 50k miles
- Lexus CT hybrid - 2011+, 80k miles +
- Toyota Auris Hybrid, 2010+, ~ 50k miles

Am I right in thinking that 3 out of that list all share the same 1.8 hybrid drivetrain with CVT 'box?

I also remember reviews at the time saying the Lexus CT had a compromised bootspace due to the batteries / hybrid gubbins? Is it still small-family-practical?

There are some more left-field (well; French) options I'm less familiar with -

- Peugeot 3008 e-Hybrid 2.0 HDi - fewer of these, but I had the 2.0 HDi and rated it (it's just the rest of the car around it I'd be concerned with)
- Citroen DS5 Hybrid4 2.0 - Even fewer of these, guessing there is some similarity with the above? Very handsome / modern looking car, but are the electrics / build quality still questionable on these?

I see there are also some other options out there -
Lexus GS - I know this is PistonHeads, but this isn't really in-keeping with my friends criteria!
Lexus RX - At this budget, this is a 2008-2009 car which looks really, really dated.

I'm off to read some reviews of the above, but any real-world experience is most appreciated!!

[SCEtoAUX]

Yaris? Mother in Law has one and it's really rather good. Never goes wrong, 60MPG with ease.

[here_we_go]

C.A.R. said:

Lexus RX - At this budget, this is a 2008-2009 car which looks really, really dated.

I have a third gen (2011) RX450h. While better than a diesel SUV for local air quality these won't return world-saving fuel economy (~30mpg). If that is a priority for your friend they might want to stick with the hatchback types you first mention.

[Roo]

I've got an Auris hybrid estate which I bought to replace a gen 2 Prius.

Being the estate it gets around the boot space issue you get with the standard hatch, and the Lexus CT.

I considered getting a gen 3 Prius but they always look like taxis.

[ilikejam]

They don't fit the scope very well, but it would be remiss of me not to mention the LS600h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[RazerSauber]

What about the Civic 1.3 IMA? I was looking at Hybrids recently and came across a fair few of those for all sorts of prices.

[ZX10R NIN]

Citroen DS5 would be a great pick the electrics aren't an issue, I have supplied a few of these now & they're proving reliable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

508

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3008

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Suzuki Baleno SZ5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Toyota Estima

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

GS450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[C.A.R.]

SCEtoAUX said:

Yaris? Mother in Law has one and it's really rather good. Never goes wrong, 60MPG with ease.

Unfortunately that will be too small for them to start a family - they'll want easy access rear seats and bootspace for a big buggy contraption.

Roo said:

I've got an Auris hybrid estate which I bought to replace a gen 2 Prius.

Being the estate it gets around the boot space issue you get with the standard hatch, and the Lexus CT.

I considered getting a gen 3 Prius but they always look like taxis.

I think the Auris is probably the best shout at the moment, hadn't seen many estates for sale - I'll look again.

RazerSauber said:

What about the Civic 1.3 IMA? I was looking at Hybrids recently and came across a fair few of those for all sorts of prices.

I watched and read a few reviews on this and they're not particularly positive. Their other car is a MK8 Civic 1.8 petrol which despite being older, looks more modern and easier to live with.

I think I may just have to sit him down and explain that hybrids don't in fact save the world and there is a lot more choice out there if he drops this from his criteria...

[thel33ter]

Do the PSA hybrids have DPF etc issues like other modern diesels if mainly used over short distances?

[shake n bake]

We’ve got a ct200 and it’s a good solid car.
Boot space isn’t huge but it’s not tiny either. Best thing to do is take a look in person at one and go from there.