Double Hybrid
AutoVolt Magazine|May-June 2018

Ahead of their imminent refresh, Jonathan Musk gets reacquainted with these stalwarts of the hybrid car scene; the Toyota Auris and Lexus CT 200h…

Jonathan Musk
Double Hybrid

Toyota and Lexus are undergoing a bit of a change at the moment, with their Auris and CT 200h hybrids respectively commanding a good chunk of sales for each company and each receiving model refreshes at about the same time. However, do the existing models make more sense and are they a relative bargain as Toyota and Lexus give them each discounts ahead of their replacements?

It’s an interesting question to ask, as it’s actually further reaching than Toyota and Lexus. For many, buying a new car is the be-all and end-all. It’s a way of specifying a car to how they want it to be. It has no unknown history, no long-lost hidden gummy bear sweets stuck under the rear seats and the promise of nothing going wrong. The reality is far from this. While a new car is, of course, a delightful thing to buy and drive, the novelty soon wears off. The reality is that cars ending their first-owner lease are generally a sound buy and the typical depreciation hit has already been absorbed, so buying a three-year-old model can make a lot of sense. Likewise, so can buying an end-of-the-line model, such as the Auris and CT 200h. These are cars at the end of their production run, when the factory workers have turned putting them together into an art. When the engineers have ironed out all the teething problems over the years. When the cars have been bundled with all the mod cons to keep sales afloat. There’s no question, these are sound buys. Add to that the fact they’re very often discounted towards model replacement, because old stock doesn’t sit well and these are some great purchase options.

The new generation Auris will be offered only with petrol and HEV powertrains; similar to the decision Toyota took with C-HR in 2016, there will be no diesel version.

This story is from the May-June 2018 edition of AutoVolt Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May-June 2018 edition of AutoVolt Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AUTOVOLT MAGAZINEView All
BMW Prices Up All-Electric i4 Saloon And iX SUV
AutoVolt Magazine

BMW Prices Up All-Electric i4 Saloon And iX SUV

DUE for UK launch in November 2021, BMW has released pricing details for the new all electric i4.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 33
Volvo Trucks announces new family of heavy electric HGVs
AutoVolt Magazine

Volvo Trucks announces new family of heavy electric HGVs

VOLVO Trucks will boost its electric truck range in 2022, with the arrival of three more zero emission HGV models. Joining the FE and FL Electric trucks which are aimed at urban routes and use, the new FH, FM and FMX Electrics will cater for the heavier road transport sector.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 33
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTE
AutoVolt Magazine

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTE

Can a hybrid hot hatch really deliver the best of both worlds? Alex Grant finds out.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 33
REACH FOR THE SKIES
AutoVolt Magazine

REACH FOR THE SKIES

Electric flying racing cars have literally taken off, thanks to pioneering efforts from the Airspeeder team.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 33
POLESTAR 2
AutoVolt Magazine

POLESTAR 2

With motorsport in its DNA, has Polestar cracked the electric driver’s car?

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 33
HYUNDAI IONIQ 5
AutoVolt Magazine

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

The retro-inspired first instalment of Hyundai’s new-generation EV line-up has substance worthy of its head-turning styling.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 33
Kia EV6
AutoVolt Magazine

Kia EV6

Hot on the heels of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, sister car the EV6 heralds a fresh new design direction for Kia, as well as the first of eleven electric cars (including seven dedicated) to launch globally by 2026.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 33
BEAUTY... and the BEAST
AutoVolt Magazine

BEAUTY... and the BEAST

With five rounds, nine teams and no fossil fuels; the first season of Extreme E is a no-holds barred proving ground for next-generation electric technology, and the result of some competing sustainability requirements.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 33
Audi prices Q4 e-tron
AutoVolt Magazine

Audi prices Q4 e-tron

THE new Audi Q4 e-tron all electric SUV is now on sale on the UK, with prices starting at £40,750 OTR for the standard model and £42,250 OTR for the more swoopy, coupélike Sportback model.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 33
2021 JAGUAR E-TYPE ELECTROGENIC
AutoVolt Magazine

2021 JAGUAR E-TYPE ELECTROGENIC

The Jaguar E-Type, dubbed “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari needs little introduction to classic car fans the world over. Its design is so iconic that the E-Type is frequently credited as blurring the lines between definitions of art, sculpture and vehicular transportation.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 33