Toyota Auris Hybrid

Toyota kick-started the hybrid market with its Prius, and is continuing the push with a smaller model: the Auris. Happily, the production process in Derbyshire leaves intact all the qualities that helped make the Japanese-built Prius the best-selling hybrid in the world.

Using the same drivetrain as its bigger brother, the Auris Hybrid achieves a similarly impressive economy to record 74mpg on the combined cycle for its most fuel-sipping version. Translated into a CO2 figure, that means an output of just 89g/km, which means no annual road tax, no London congestion charge and a company car tax bracket of just 10 per cent. Those would be fantastic figures for a city car, but the Auris is a size rival for the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

The reason for the terrific economy is, of course, the assistance given to the 1.8-litre petrol engine by the nickel metal hydride batteries hidden behind the rear seats. These are charged by the car itself, either when the driver comes off the gas or hits the brakes

They can also be topped up by the engine itself, but in urban driving there’s little need. The car will even run on pure battery power, achieving a maximum of 1.2 miles of silent running at speeds under 30mph.

What’s clear is that the Auris is extremely refined whatever the power source. Because the electric motor helps out with extra shove, the petrol engine doesn’t need to be revved hard and so the overwhelming sensation is one of quiet strength. Together the power sources provide 134bhp, but it feels a lot more, especially in town driving, where the Auris Hybrid pulls away with real gusto.

Despite all that technology hidden from view, the car itself is actually very easy to drive. Shift that stubby gearlever into D and everything happens automatically. You do have some choices – shift the lever in B and the regenerative braking sending power to the battery is sharper, helping the economy and, as a bonus, reducing the wear on the brake pads. There’s also a button for Power Mode to increase acceleration force by 25 per cent, or a fuel saving ECO Mode.

A dashboard display lets you know how you’re doing economy-wise, but other than the blue-glowing Hybrid badging, it's very easy to forget you’re in a hybrid at all. The same roominess offered by the standard Auris continues over with the exception of the boot, which is smaller by 75 litres because of the battery pack. However the 60/40 split rear seat backs still fold down to give a useful luggage carrying flexibility and there’s even room for a hidden compartment under the boot floor.

Equipment levels are good too. All three models come with climate control, electric windows and door mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a six-speaker CD radio with USB connection as standard.

However all models come fitted with the same high level of safety equipment and technology, including a knee airbag for the driver. Anti-skid traction control and vehicle stability control are all part of that package, as are whiplash-lessening seats. To protect your investment, the Auris Hybrid comes with a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser that’ll lower your insurance bills as a result.

So it’s economical, safe, practical and well equipped, but Toyota hasn’t forgotten to make it drive well. The ride is well composed with minimal bump intrusion or too much corner lean, and you come away thinking the suspension settings are about right for a car that’s most at home in town.

Buyers of conventional hatchbacks might be a little concerned that the complexity of the drivetrain might bump up running costs, but that’s not the case, according to Toyota. The 1.8-litre engine has no drive belts to worry about (the camshaft is operated by a low maintenance timing chain instead), and altogether the company says the car has the same servicing costs as a Yaris 1.0 supermini.

What’s more, that battery has an eight-year 100,000 mile warranty, while the more general warranty lasts for five years, so any faults should be addressed for free. For anybody who’s motoring involves a lot of urban miles, the Auris Hybrid makes a compelling case.