Excel 1.8 VVT-i HybridSynergy Drive CVT 136 Auto 5dr Estate

Does it all except drive itself

The drivetrain is what makes this car. Toggle to go forward or back, give the accelerator a nudge and off you go, get to the end of your journey and all you've had to do is move your right foot to slow down occasionally and point the car where you want it to go. In ECO mode the car is relaxed and easy going, press Power and it all locks up earlier to give you the kind of shove you need when you need it. Everything is seamless, dab the accelerator and you nip off immediately with no trace of hesitation. Keeping up speed is easy at the legal limit and beyond, cruise control is a great aid to economy as well.
Some reviews say the engine is noise is strange (i.e. not sporty), they are right, it hums away mostly in the background when needed, push it very hard and it is still a lot less intrusive than many cars I have driven.
Excel has everything I need, extras are pan roof and park assist fitted to my car.
As a car it is basically a roomy estate that doesn't look that big on the outside, back seats fold flat giving plenty of room. Weight in the back doesn't upset the ride or handling unduly.
Against trend it is also quite low, this helps with economy, less air to push, but it is still easy enough to get in and out of.
This being a pre facelift model it is not as quiet as I expected, road noise is present at higher speeds, virtually no wind noise and the car is not pushed around by side winds. The ride (on 18 inch wheels) has an edge at low speeds but smooths out as you get out of urban environments. Steering is OK it goes where you point it, has little feel but is weighted reasonably. The brakes are very good, progressive and easy to manage.
The interior fit and finish is good, materials in some places look a bit lower grade and switches etc are not the most solid things to operate, the carpet trim could be a bit better as well.
The touch screen works well, the sat nav, connectivity and audio are all good.
To summarise: this was not (to me) a cheap car when new, used at one year it was a real bargain.
The sophisticated drivetrain is worth it, the rest of the car is functional, comfortable and combined with low running costs and 3.5 years left on the excellent Toyota warranty. It feels very well made and I would expect it to give many years of trouble free motoring.

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