By Mike Torpey on 2014-06-28 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Toyota Prius+ Excel
1.8 CVT
NOBODY does hybrid quite like Toyota.
The Japanese brand has just topped the six million sales mark worldwide and in the UK, where hybrid Auris models are produced, the range extends to 10 Toyota and Lexus hybrids, plus Prius Plug-in.
Some 15 more have been signed off for launch in the next two years from a brand that estimates its hybrids have saved around 15,000 million litres of petrol.
It all started 16 years ago with the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car and a model that's still going strong, along with its seven-seat MPV stablemate the Prius+.
With a wheelbase 80mm longer than that of the standard Prius, there's the scope for appreciably more passenger space in the Plus, and its format features three independently sliding and split-folding second row seats along with a 50:50 split-folding third row.
Meticulous thought has gone into the car's design and layout. For instance that third tier of seats has been made possible by placing the hybrid system's lithium-ion battery pack in the centre console, between the front seats.
And touches like a curved design for the front and second row seats has resulted in better knee room.
Everyone on board has a good view out as well, thanks to each row of seats being set 45mm higher than the one in front.
Storage is also plentiful, with a 60-litre tray beneath the luggage deck, and with the back row folded flat the space is estate-like. You also get plenty of standard kit.
Visually though this isn't the most attractive looking car on the road, the tested and well specified Excel model's reversing camera lacked any on-screen guides and some of the interior plastics felt on the cheap side.
Power comes via the combination of a 1.8-litre petrol engine and an electric motor and the car can be driven in any of three modes - EV, ECO and Power.
While it's possible in theory to drive up to around 23mph in emissions-free fully electric mode, it isn't exactly straightforward as anything but the lightest touch on the accelerator triggers the engine.
And while ECO mode allows the potential for 64 miles per gallon - my own overall average was way down at 42mpg - if you want a dynamic driving experience the car needs to be in the Power setting.
Otherwise the Prius+ is a fine car for the laid-back, environmentally responsible family driver - who isn't in a hurry.
Toyota Prius+ Excel 1.8 CVT
Price: £29,295
Mechanical: 98bhp, 1,798cc, 4cyl petrol engine and 60kW electric motor driving front wheels via automatic gearbox
Max Speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 11.3 seconds
Combined MPG: 64.2
Insurance Group: 12
C02 emissions: 101g/km
Bik rating: 12%
Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles
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