Dipping a toe - Buying a 2016 Auris hybrid
Discussion
So, I've driven a few hybrids but never owned one. Mrs70R is a well-meaning eco-weenie, and we do most of our miles within the M25. To that end, and as someone who cycles in London regularly, I'm determined to try and minimise our impact on air quality where possible. Going EV isn't feasible due to the locations of various family folk, so that's out of the question.
We're looking to run a 2016 car for 2 years (by which time London will be a distant memory), on the basis that we'd like to stay within the generous 5yr warranty. While I've done my due diligence of reading various journo and owner reviews, I don't feel like I've come much past scratching the surface. A few questions to those who've owned, I suppose...
We're looking to run a 2016 car for 2 years (by which time London will be a distant memory), on the basis that we'd like to stay within the generous 5yr warranty. While I've done my due diligence of reading various journo and owner reviews, I don't feel like I've come much past scratching the surface. A few questions to those who've owned, I suppose...
- What is it actually like to live with?
- How did you find reliability generally?
- Have you had any experience of dealing with Toyota warranties?
Tyre Smoke said:
Just bought a Prius + as a taxi.
Two weeks and 1500 miles in, it's metronomic. Dull as ditchwater to drive. But, that's not why I bought it - for excitement.
There's a reason you see so many as taxis. They just do what they say they will.
My impressions..
You change your driving style quite noticeably. In Eco mode there is no significant engine braking (unless you engage B mode) and you find yourself arriving a junctions a lot quicker. Once you are used to this, it means you 'coast' up to junctions with associated fuel savings.
It's a lot more economical in traffic (stop start slow moving) than it is on the open road. In heavy town traffic I get around 80mpg. On the open road about 52mpg. I went from Devon to Gatwick last week and it would have been more economical to take the 1.6hdi Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. But then, on the open road it is effectively just a 1.8 petrol.
If much of your driving will be in heavy town traffic, then it really is a no brainer. If you are going to be out on the motorway, then perhaps it's not the car for you and a stop start petrol/diesel auto would be a better choice.
Have you totally discounted the plug in variants? If so, is it the range that's the problem?
Appreciate the first-hand feedback. The plug-in variants are out for now because of where our families are located. Whether or not it's valid, I don't have the faith in a full EV being the right solution for us at the moment, in spite of me being a huge fan of the i3 and Tesla.Two weeks and 1500 miles in, it's metronomic. Dull as ditchwater to drive. But, that's not why I bought it - for excitement.
There's a reason you see so many as taxis. They just do what they say they will.
My impressions..
You change your driving style quite noticeably. In Eco mode there is no significant engine braking (unless you engage B mode) and you find yourself arriving a junctions a lot quicker. Once you are used to this, it means you 'coast' up to junctions with associated fuel savings.
It's a lot more economical in traffic (stop start slow moving) than it is on the open road. In heavy town traffic I get around 80mpg. On the open road about 52mpg. I went from Devon to Gatwick last week and it would have been more economical to take the 1.6hdi Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. But then, on the open road it is effectively just a 1.8 petrol.
If much of your driving will be in heavy town traffic, then it really is a no brainer. If you are going to be out on the motorway, then perhaps it's not the car for you and a stop start petrol/diesel auto would be a better choice.
Have you totally discounted the plug in variants? If so, is it the range that's the problem?
Thanks folks. Really appreciate the brutal honesty.
The economy point is less of an issue for us, as the bulk of our mileage is likely to be covered by the other half's generous car allowance. Our motivation is more the fact that we might do a few thousand miles a year inside the M25, and we're both conscious that we minimise our impact on the already declining air quality.
It looks like there are no major 'watch outs' for the ownership prospect, and that the platform/powertrain is pretty well proven. So, unless we hear anything major to the contrary we're probably going to plough ahead.
The economy point is less of an issue for us, as the bulk of our mileage is likely to be covered by the other half's generous car allowance. Our motivation is more the fact that we might do a few thousand miles a year inside the M25, and we're both conscious that we minimise our impact on the already declining air quality.
It looks like there are no major 'watch outs' for the ownership prospect, and that the platform/powertrain is pretty well proven. So, unless we hear anything major to the contrary we're probably going to plough ahead.
Tyre Smoke said:
Don't discount the Prius+ it has 7 seats and a lot more room than the Auris. I can't comment on the relative availability or price differential though.
As you suspected though, essentially the same car underneath.
Thanks, but I don't think it's a goer. It's only the two of us, and it looks like you get a lot more/newer Auris for your buck. One of the important things for me is to be able to buy and sell within the generous 5yr warranty.As you suspected though, essentially the same car underneath.
Evanivitch said:
Do you have a driveway that you could charge a PHEV?
A Prius PHEV, or Ampera would be a better car, you could cover most your miles in pure electric and then have the ICE for long miles.
Sadly not. Driveways in London are a massive luxury.A Prius PHEV, or Ampera would be a better car, you could cover most your miles in pure electric and then have the ICE for long miles.
raspy said:
If you're looking at a 2016 car, test drive the new shape Prius from 2016 in addition to the Auris. Superior hybrid system and based upon the TGNA platform, so not a sports car, but far better to drive than non-TGNA cars from Toyota. The new Auris will also be built on the TGNA platform and even offers a performance hybrid version too!
Demand for the Prius seems to push its price significantly higher than the equivalent age Auris, which is probably the decider for us. If I'm being honest, driving dynamics are way down the list of wants for this car.Evanivitch said:
C70R said:
Evanivitch said:
Do you have a driveway that you could charge a PHEV?
A Prius PHEV, or Ampera would be a better car, you could cover most your miles in pure electric and then have the ICE for long miles.
Sadly not. Driveways in London are a massive luxury.A Prius PHEV, or Ampera would be a better car, you could cover most your miles in pure electric and then have the ICE for long miles.
Well, after seeing a lease deal for a brand new Ioniq hybrid (prompted by parking next to one yesterday) which is cheaper like-for-like than finance on a 3yo Auris, our heads have been turned. We've just enquired about how quickly we could get one, and if they are available we'll probably pick one up this coming weekend...
Merry said:
We drove the phev version of the Ioniq, felt a bit cheap compared to the Auris. The boot was also tiny.
The foot operated handbrake is daft too.
Appreciate the Hybrid may be different but I really didn't get in with it.
We'll need a cursory drive in one, but the reviews seem decent enough. The hybrid boot is a decent size, and I've had MBs before so the foot handbrake (which is probably optional in an auto) is no issue.The foot operated handbrake is daft too.
Appreciate the Hybrid may be different but I really didn't get in with it.
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