Toyota Auris hybrid e-car

Town and out in a Prius-powered hatchback

The second issue is the inherent conservatism of the car. Honda has been much bolder by making its second hybrid – the CR-Z, reviewed here – a sporty 3-door coupé, rather than simply a smaller, cheaper Insight.

Considering a Prius isn't too much more, the pricing seems unrealistic

For us Brits, perhaps the most compelling reason to buy an Auris, rather than a Prius, has nothing to do with its technical prowess, but simply that it is assembled here in Blighty, at Toyota's Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.

Verdict

Taken on its own merits, the Auris Hybrid is a decent car but I can't shake the feeling that, as a concept, it is just too conservative and more importantly priced too closely to the Prius. If I was thinking about shelling out 20 odd grand for a Toyota hybrid, the choice would be easy and it would be the Prius. For the extra few quid, what you get is bigger, faster, more refined and more stylish. ®

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Honda CR-Z	Honda Insight	Toyota Prius	Mitsubishi iMiEV