TOYOTA was among the first with hybrid technology and its sophistication shows in the Auris series of low emission models.

The Auris range runs from about £16,000 to £24,000 over 16 hatchback or Touring Sports estate models in four trim levels and with a selection of petrol or diesel engines with or without electric motor assistance.

The car we tried, sitting at the top of the range, was a very refined, easy to drive and economical modern estate which simply let you get on with the task in hand and it decided the best power-source to use.

It is an intelligent system which uses Toyota's synergy drive technology to ensure the efficiency is optimised at all times in any conditions but you can over-ride to get more power or force it to use one or the other instead for a particular purpose and keep it running as lean and green as possible.

The Auris is not a performance car but its performance overall is impressive.

Without having to think about driving economically it was pushing towards 50mpg and sometimes passed it.

Acceleration is not strong but it's consistent and there is good power to overtake with the CVT pushing you along with some noise from the transmission. Occasionally under hard throttle the perceived changes were jerky going up or down.

Steering was light, the turning circle good and it was vibration and kick-back free while the brakes did a smooth job of slowing it with modest pedal pressure. The parking brake securely held it on a test slope.

Secondary controls were mostly grouped close to the wheel but the hybrid system has a few settings accessed through the infotainment screen and you need familiarisation with them to set up, and there are a few facia buttons for other functions.

Instruments comprise the reasonably sized infotainment display on the central console and more gauges infront of the driver which were all clear if not calibrated in detail.

Heating and ventilation for the climate control was straightforward, worked well and was backed up by four electric windows.

Oddments room is good for a family car with places infront and back to put small items and the offset split rear seats folded to gradually extend the 530 litres below the cover to 1,658 litres used two-up.

Access was good to the loadbed and inside, with really well shaped and supporting seats and good adjustment range on the front pair.

Visibility is good but you really need the rear parking sensors as the tail extremities are out of sight. Lights and wipers did a good job in bad visibility.

Ride was firm, sometimes hard, and you could hear the suspension coping with what was under the wheels.

Body roll was present to a moderate degree and the handling made the Auris run wide on tighter corners but it safely and undramatically came back on line when you lifted off.

As an estate car it does a good job offering a lot of practical features and carrying a reasonable amount, and its low-pollution green credentials take on board environmental concerns.

The driver, meanwhile, can just get on with whatever has to be done in a worry-free way.