Auris Hybrid Courtesy Car

[kithmo]

My Gen3 Prius has gone in for a new front bumper today after I managed to crack the bottom of it on an iron bar sticking up out of the ground at a Sunday market.

I have the Auris Hybrid as a loaner, here's my views on it.

It feels more solid than the Prius, the doors are heavy though.

It also feels perkier than the Prius when it's warmed up, but less so when cold.

The road noise from the 17" wheels is just as noisy as the Prius.

The boot is horrendously small but saying that, I've always had large cars and got used to a large boot.

The half leather seats are softer (more comfortable) than the Prius.

I now have problems reading an analogue speedo, especially since it's down behind the steering wheel.

The speedo and gauges and info are all behind the steering wheel and I've got so used to looking straight ahead or to the centre of the car with the Prius that to look down feels really awkward.

The gear selector is left hand drive (D & R on the other side of N) as is the electric Parking brake (it's on the far side of the gearknob).

The reversing camera gives a picture in the rear view mirror which is too small and suffers from glare in the daylght rendering it only usefull for judging distance to objects behind for parking.

Although I quite like the Auris overall, I think I'd very much miss the HUD, the large screen for reversing and the large boot in the Prius and I think the Prius is worth the extra cost over the Auris.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

What about mpg findings? Also, what was the mileage?

It's supposed to be the same running gear as the Prius so it's strange it was sluggish when cold but quicker when warm. My personal theory on this is that it has 5w30 oil in it. Especially if the mileage is over 10,000.

[Seamaster73]

I had an Auris HSD as a long-term loaner when my new Prius was delayed due to the tsunami. I came to really like it. So much so, if I had my time over again, I think I would order one instead.

If nothing else, it's certainly better built than the Prius.

[Hybrid Harbour]

Its also better built in Britain, who would have thought that 20 years ago...

[cuius]

"Better built" - was designed as a "normal" car originally so doesn't have the weight-saving construction of the Prius, and this appears to be reflected in the fuelly statistics, although they are a very small sample for the Auris. Boot is small even with the maximiser panel removed. Rear wiper arc leads to poor visibility in wet weather, particularly as the aerodynamics mean the rear of the car seems to attract dirt. Apart from that no problems.

[pobrown]

Love my Auris HSD. A drive back up to Sheffield from Watford the other day (M1 all the way) averaged 64mpg and I wasn't going that slow. Average mpg figures are low-mid 50s around town and my short (4 mile) journey to work (a few steep hills). On the cold days in winter (with winter tyres on) mpg dropped to about 48.

Mine has the optional DVD based SatNav system so the reversing camera image appears on that screen instead of the mirror - much better.

Boot is small, but when looking for a car to buy I though about how often I would need a big boot. Holidays were the only time I could think of and the set of luggage that we have for our holidays once a year even fits (if you pack it in the right order)

[kithmo]

What about mpg findings? Also, what was the mileage?

It's supposed to be the same running gear as the Prius so it's strange it was sluggish when cold but quicker when warm. My personal theory on this is that it has 5w30 oil in it. Especially if the mileage is over 10,000.

the average consumption is showing 47.0 mpg, Ive only got it for a day or two so can't really test the mpg to my style of driving. The car has done 12.5k.

[kithmo]

Mine has the optional DVD based SatNav system so the reversing camera image appears on that screen instead of the mirror - much better.

The boot space I could probably live with, although as you say, it would be tight for the holidays. If it had a HUD as well as the Nav I would probably buy one. It certainly does feel better built.

[kithmo]

Got my Prius back now, front bumper is all shiny, I'll have to polish the rest of the car now.