Moving to Eco mode, through the switch hiding behind a stubby gear selector whose return-to-neutral procedure helps bring about disarray, softens the racket by dulling the accelerator reaction, and also performance. However for commuting, it’s fine – & the thrashing noises establish an incentive to back off & save you fuel.
A tough & decidedly uneconomical race via the hills turned out 36.6 mpg – an alternative economy-oriented tester produced 57.7 mpg - so 60 mpg-plus should be acheivable.
Yet unfortunately racing this Toyota Auris is an unrewarding experience, this hybrid edition having had removed the freshly-titivated standard versions superior agility – blame Cd-limiting lowered shock absorbers, fuel-eking higher tyre-pressures & supplemental weight – and its steering is relatively dull too.
This is a car that’s more transport - if stimulating transport - than engaging drive, nonetheless one that proves civil at reasonable speeds (more so than the Prius) and tempts very efficiently with its appreciably lowered operating prices.
