I suspect you have the automated manual box in your present Auris, fortunately the hybrid Toyota's are not saddled with that 'fit only for the skip' transmission, hybrid drivetrain is entirely different silky smooth and is gaining an enviable reputation for long life and durability as are Toyota hybrids generally.

The new model Auris Diesel has a different box again to yours (again thankfully), a CVT, how this will fair over time i haven't a clue, but it couldn't possibly be such a hideous thing as the previous one.

Your commute mileage *should* keep most good Diesels fairly happy, and there might not be much difference between hybrid and equivalent Diesel fuelling costs given that sort of running, hybrids come into their own in stop start traffic.

Yaris also available as hybrid, if a large enough car for you that should be a seriously economical prospect.

Hi, I used to drive various diesels (manual) and changed from an old Vectra TDI to my 2007 Prius in 2011. The car has now covered 210,000 miles, with 120,000 while in my posession.

It hasn't missed a beat, and it's safe to say I haven't been servicing it anywhere near according to schedule.

Sure, the usual stuff - wheel bearing, rear spring - normal car stuff. The battery is fine, and the engine is fine.

Normal routine has changed a little for the car - I used to do a 60 mile round trip with a mixture of Motorway, A-road and city driving (depending on the route chosen) - on my commute my mpg would vary between 60 and 75mpg on the way there, and 50-65mpg on the way back (net height gain lol). Confirming miles against a tank fill-up during my commuting would confirm the figures are accurate - averaging 60-65mpg during the summer and 55-60 during the winter.

Motorways is where the Prius is not the best - still pretty good, and if you can stick at 60mph you can get 55+ mpg, more if the wind is behind you lol. We also have a Prius Plus (7 seater and 1.8 engine rather than my old 1.5 ) - a much heavier car and much more refined, but then it's only done 12,000 miles lol. MPG on that one is lower and much more difficult to get a steady figure - but averaging 50-55mpg over a tank.

50mph zones - such as the recently lifted 20 mile nearby stretch of the M1 is where you can really see big figures.

The gearboxes are silky smooth, it's a CVT but not as you know - it basically uses a motor to control the ratios and the engine, and supplements this with the big electric motor - all seamless.

I´m on my second Auris hybrid. The first with 15" wheels averaged 54.2 mpg over 3+ years; the second on 17"s is averaging 50.9 mpg over a year plus. Live in a rural area of NW Spain which has a Southern England-type climate (temperature has an affect on hybrids - get about 10% better economy when I'm down in Southern Spain). About 90% of my mileage is on motorways, usually on cruise control (not the most economical method).

If you use HJ's fuel cost calculator, you'll find that the comparison between a diesel Auris and an hybrid is approx £150 a year, and remember the latter is an automatic - very useful when commuting. Therefore, when choosing an "economical" car, fuel cost is just one of the factors and not necessarily the main one.

Edited by colinh on 30/06/2016 at 03:11

Well thank you all for the responses - very much appreciated and given me fuel for thought (no pun).

On the transmission, my current one has a "manual" mode (basically shoving a stick up or down) or ecomode but both are a nightmare, especially in slow traffic where the engine drops to first gear at about 18 mph with high revs and wont go back to 2nd unless I speed up a bit. I found out that I can start off in 2nd gear and keep it there even at 3 or 4 mph (with a bit of juddering). Works well unless you forget to put it back into first when you're entering a roundabout - not a lot of fun I can tell you, but I digress.

I've really considered the Prius, but again from what people are saying, they're only getting the MPG that I'm getting from my car now so while I'd be getting a nice spec, I'm concerned that I wouldn't get much in the way of improved fuel efficiency which is my main goal from a newer car.

I think I'm going down the route of a Yaris 1.5 icon plus or Peugeot 208 eHDI activ. Really attracted by the MPG (again, I know stated is not realistic). I know it's not the overriding factor but for me it's a biggie as I can get professional repairs at mates rates, though I've heard that Peugeots traditionally can be expensive / difficult repairs?

Thanks again for the replies.