Onboard car computers can deliver a host of information — and some of it makes for pretty depressing reading.

A recent morning commute in a seriously powerful Porsche delivered the sobering news that my 14-mile journey had been achieved at a miserable average of 21mph.


A return evening commute along the same route, at the wheel of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, displayed the only-slightly-less-depressing figure of 22mph.


Given that these speeds — easily achievable on a bicycle — are the day-to-day reality of modern motoring for many drivers, the desire for economy rather than power becomes much clearer.


And if that economy can be delivered by an engine that can cover at least some ground without emitting any polluting gases, then the attraction of so-called hybrid vehicles starts to make a little more sense.


Make no mistake, hybrid engines that combine both electric and petrol power, are advanced, complex and, needless to say, expensive pieces of kit.


So the price tag on the flagship model for Toyota’s best-selling model in Europe is hefty. But despite that, Toyota does not expect the French-built Yaris Hybrid to be a niche model, expecting it to claim a fifth of annual European Yaris sales.
What you get for your money is a cleverly packaged supermini which gives great fuel efficiency and low emissions, with no loss of cabin or loadspace.
The downsized hybrid system combines a re-engineered 1.5-litre petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor and battery pack.
The complicated technology boils down to the potential for 70+mpg fuel consumption; no vehicle excise licence to pay and the ability to operate in all-electric mode, saving money at the pumps, with zero NOx, particulate, or CO2 tailpipe emissions.
On the road, the Yaris Hybrid is as neat, and nearly as nippy, as every other model in the range.
Equipment levels are high across the range, with all models fitted with seven airbags, dual-zone air conditioning, vehicle stability control with traction control, selectable electric and eco-drive modes and automatic transmission.
The touch-sensitive screen on the centre console also includes a blue-lit ‘hybrid energy monitor’, which can show which elements of the petrol and electric system are delivering power.
It can also switch display to show fuel consumption, ‘cruising range’ remaining, and that often-depressing reminder of your average speed.

 

Auto facts Toyota Yaris Hybrid T-Spirit
 

  • Price: £17,195
  • Ins group:
  • 9E (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption: (Combined): 76.3mpg
  • Top speed: 103mph
  • Length: 390.5cm/153.7in
  • Width: 169.5cm/66.7in
  • Luggage capacity: 10 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 7.9 gallons/36ltrs
  • CO2 emissions: 85g/km
  • Warranty: 5 yrs/ 100,000 miles