WE'VE got to understand that not all motorists are mad keen drivers.

Yes, if you're the sort who reels off 0-62mph times, understands what opposite lock is and gets a buzz out of the sound of a straight six, then this might come as a bit of a shock.

But the fact remains that for many folk, a car's purpose is simple - it gets you from A to B. And the easier, most comfortable - and cheapest - way that is achieved the better.

Which brings us to Toyota's Corolla Touring Sports, a tidy, mid-size estate that has the clout and stamina to swallow motorway miles - or any other route, for that matter - with ease and near silence.

With an ability to squeeze around 50 miles out of gallon of petrol from its two-litre hybrid engine, it's also easy on the pocket.

But it has to be said it's so compliant and easy to drive that some will understandably label it characterless, a slur that to others will appear high praise and a considerable attraction.

It's a practical vehicle with masses of space both for passengers and their baggage. Soft, well-shaped seats front and rear cosset the occupants and the large, regular shaped boot can absorb no less than 581 litres of cargo, and even more if the rear seats are folded down (almost 1,600 litres, in fact).

Legroom in the back is particularly spacious with room beneath the front seats to slide your feet, even if you're a six-footer.

The cabin is smartly styled without being particularly flamboyant or exciting. A large touchscreen sprouts from the top of the dash in usual fashion with a binnacle housing dials and warning lights to the right. There are some traditional knobs and switches so happily not everything is controlled by touch.

The two litre, four-pot engine is coupled to an automatic CVT gearbox which works well, albeit with the ubiquitous drone that tends to accompany this type of transmission. Generally though the Corolla is pleasantly silent and relaxed unless revved hard.

Acceleration is zippy enough with 60mph coming up in around seven seconds and mid- range pick-up is better than most thanks to battery power.

Cornering and handling via front drive is tidy and competent enough, but fairly low geared steering results in safe but somewhat muted dynamics. Roll angles are well controlled and poor surfaces are smoothed over impressively.

For its size and weight, economy is excellent. Over a fast 3000mile drive we averaged 48mpg despite some heavy traffic and motorway cruising at the legal limit. On less demanding routes 50mpg-plus was easily attainable.

Few family estates under the £40k mark can manage to tick so many boxes and demand so little from the driver, making the Touring Sports a seriously talented all-rounder.

£37,700

2.0-litre, 4 cyl, 196bhp, petrol hybrid engine driving 2 wheels via automatic gearbox

111mph

7.7seconds

61.0

21

105g/km

47%

5yrs/100,000 miles

4.7