Small(ish) Hybrid needed - help please
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm going to be after a smaller hybrid for my wife, who currelntly has a 65 plate, 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta.
She does very limited milage (4-5k at best) and needs something efficient to get round with the kids and to work. I want to buy used, perhaps 3-4y old.
I've myself had been thinking likes of Yaris due to their well developed hybrid tech, Clio or MG3.
Anything else worth considering?
A plug in hybrid would be a possibility, but given how short range they are, I dont want to pay a lot more for it.
I'm happy to be talked out of the hybrid in favour of petrol if it makes sense.
Thanks in advance,
I'm going to be after a smaller hybrid for my wife, who currelntly has a 65 plate, 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta.
She does very limited milage (4-5k at best) and needs something efficient to get round with the kids and to work. I want to buy used, perhaps 3-4y old.
I've myself had been thinking likes of Yaris due to their well developed hybrid tech, Clio or MG3.
Anything else worth considering?
A plug in hybrid would be a possibility, but given how short range they are, I dont want to pay a lot more for it.
I'm happy to be talked out of the hybrid in favour of petrol if it makes sense.
Thanks in advance,
BlueJazz said:
Honda's latest Jazz is a hybrid and very good small car.
Several have had their brakes fail just out of warranty - a £2k/£3k repair unless you can convince Honda to fix it. Plus the hassle of being stuck with a car you can't drive for weeks/months until the parts are available.I've also heard of the battery packs now having an issue that requires a new sensor fitting.
Toyota are probably best, with the free 10 year warranty now included as well.
The Toyota Corolla hybrid from 2019 onwards is probably the most sensible small family car out there. I have a facelifted 2024 Corolla hatchback and it's a well built and competent car. Lovely and smooth to drive with good tech and driving/safety aids that work well without being too intrusive.
Rear space in the hatchback is quite cramped though and the car sits low relative to the increasingly popular crossovers that many people seem to prefer as family cars nowadays. Boot space is comparable to a Golf or Focus but if you get the 2 litre variant be aware that the 12V battery sits under the boot, raising the boot floor and consequently reducing the boot capacity. The estate version of the Corolla (Touring Sports) is better for a family but it's a fair bit longer than the hatch. The 2023 facelift brought many improvements to the Corolla and in my view it's worth stretching the budget to get one of these.
Rear space in the hatchback is quite cramped though and the car sits low relative to the increasingly popular crossovers that many people seem to prefer as family cars nowadays. Boot space is comparable to a Golf or Focus but if you get the 2 litre variant be aware that the 12V battery sits under the boot, raising the boot floor and consequently reducing the boot capacity. The estate version of the Corolla (Touring Sports) is better for a family but it's a fair bit longer than the hatch. The 2023 facelift brought many improvements to the Corolla and in my view it's worth stretching the budget to get one of these.
Thanks a lot.
Think Corolla hatch or Yaris do look most appealing.
I had a Touring for a test drive some time ago as an option for our main car, but felt it was not big enough for longer trips.
Hatch however Im sure would be more than enough for the wife.
Any models or engines to avoid? I dont think she needs bells and whistles, but bluetooth and android auto would be ideal. Rest is a bonus.
Think Corolla hatch or Yaris do look most appealing.
I had a Touring for a test drive some time ago as an option for our main car, but felt it was not big enough for longer trips.
Hatch however Im sure would be more than enough for the wife.
Any models or engines to avoid? I dont think she needs bells and whistles, but bluetooth and android auto would be ideal. Rest is a bonus.
Just two engine choices for the Corolla hybrid - the 1.8 or 2.0. The 1.8 is the older unit and a tried and trusted, highly durable engine. The 2.0 is much newer and offers more power without any significant penalty in fuel efficiency. However, there have been port injector issues with some 2.0 engines and it doesn’t yet have the long-term reliability data and reputation of the 1.8. Power of the 1.8 was 125 hp until the 2023 facelift, thereafter it’s 140 hp, which I find ample for most driving situations, especially with the extra torque from the electric motor that kicks in if you put your foot down. The 2.0 offers 190 hp. Both offer excellent fuel consumption, at least as good as a modern efficient diesel and often better.
As said, the 2 litre Corolla hatchback variant has a smaller boot than the 1.8 due to the raised boot floor. All four trims have good standard equipment - Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel. In my opinion, the Design trim is the sweet spot, mainly because you get most of the kit in the GR Sport and Excel but with 17” wheels rather than 18” - better ride comfort. The Icon has 16” wheels and will offer the best ride.
As said, the 2 litre Corolla hatchback variant has a smaller boot than the 1.8 due to the raised boot floor. All four trims have good standard equipment - Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel. In my opinion, the Design trim is the sweet spot, mainly because you get most of the kit in the GR Sport and Excel but with 17” wheels rather than 18” - better ride comfort. The Icon has 16” wheels and will offer the best ride.
The Corolla hatch will most likely be ideal, just remember as Oberheim rightly says, and i forgot to mention, space in the back is a touch tight with the hybrid battery living under the back seats. My previous two cars to the Corolla were a mk10 Civic and a mk3 Focus and they both had a decent amount more room back there. Aside from that though, can't really fault it
RayDonovan said:
We have a 2.0 Corolla and my Wife loves it.
She's not remotely a Petrolhead, but adores this thing.
Costs nothing to run, 10 year warranty and great round town with the CVT/engine combo.
Honestly can't believe they're not more popular.
Nor me. Such easy cars to live with.She's not remotely a Petrolhead, but adores this thing.
Costs nothing to run, 10 year warranty and great round town with the CVT/engine combo.
Honestly can't believe they're not more popular.
Buying a Corolla also supports British jobs. The cars are built in Burnaston, Derbyshire, while the engines (1.8 anyhow) and hybrid drivetrain are both built in Deeside.
RayDonovan said:
We have a 2.0 Corolla and my Wife loves it.
She's not remotely a Petrolhead, but adores this thing.
Costs nothing to run, 10 year warranty and great round town with the CVT/engine combo.
Honestly can't believe they're not more popular.
The Toyota badge / taxi image doesn't quite cut it on Instagram? She's not remotely a Petrolhead, but adores this thing.
Costs nothing to run, 10 year warranty and great round town with the CVT/engine combo.
Honestly can't believe they're not more popular.
Agree, it's a great motor. I hired a 2.0 touring from my local dealer for a month and it performed almost perfectly. Corolla would be fine for the majority, but 2 negatives for me, 1) rear seats felt cramped 2) boot space didn't feel big or practical once loaded with my gear. (Probably corrupted by the space offered in my previous family car / MK 5 Mondeo estate)
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