Hybrid 1.8

Very economical petrol powered family car but why don't the motoring correspondents like it?

The main reason for buying this car was that the fuel consumption was so good. Add to that Toyota quality, a drive system that is, for me, wonderful and well appointed with extras like keyless entry and excellent satnav, I have to say that my next car will have a job matching my satisfaction level.
I am a retired traffic cop who was fully qualified in all aspects of motoring and never thought that I could succumb to losing a stick-shift but the CVT is smooth and progressive. The response to the normal traffic speeds is good. Overtaking can be accomplished with dispatch - with both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
The arguments against this type of car are based upon the inability of the driver to accelerate hard in any one gear, but where can one do this in normal driving. I did not want a "track car" but a comfortable means of moving around the roads in safety and economically. Performance figures (top speed, acceleration times in parts of a second, etc) are not at the head of my needs. Isn't a top speed of 115mph fast enough?
In the three years I have owned my Auris, I have driven just over 20000 miles and my average mpg is around 60mpg. That is mostly town and surrounding country roads with some motorway. Some cross country trips have achieved nearly 70mpg.
Initial purchase price, new, is a wee bit high but the warranty is first class. Check that out!
Insurance group is very respectable for a 1.8l petrol with addition power from the battery. No need to plug it in - recharging is regenerative.
Come on motoring journalists. Think of the way we have to drive on our roads today and see if this car doesn't work better for most people.

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