Pleasantly surprised first time out in the Corolla Hybrid
I never thought I’d drive a hybrid, although I can’t explain why. Maybe it’s because I’m not usually one for trying new things. I wouldn’t say I’m the most environmentally conscious person, so perhaps it’s because I saw hybrids and similar machines as the reserve of those who are.
Actually, yeah, it.
Well, whatever I thought before has changed in a massive way – and whether you’re environmentally conscious or not, the new Corolla Hybrid has loads to offer you.
I test-drove a saloon ‘Luna’ spec from Kelliher’s Toyota, Tralee, over the course of a week, and when I picked it up was told a full tank would hold good for that timeframe.
I have to say I doubted that. I do an 85-kilometre round trip to work each day, and I did that six times over those seven days. That’s 510 kilometres before any other driving I did was accounted for.
I had more than a quarter-tank left.
And that was by far the standout aspect of this machine for me, and that’s saying something after a terrific week’s driving.
The Corolla Hybrid wasn’t just my first foray into the world of hybrid; it was also my first time driving an automatic.
Whenever I’ve changed over from one car to another, it’s taken a few journeys to acclimatise. Every machine is different, so when you throw in the switch from manual to automatic to the reckoning, you’d think the transition would take longer if anything.
But I can honestly say it was by far the smoothest transition I’d ever experienced. Within a couple of minutes I felt like I’d weeks’ driving under my belt.
It’s ‘ button’ ignition; automatic handbrake; has full-range adaptive cruise-control, which that’s probably keeps a minimum pre-set distance from the car in front; lane-trace assist, a steering assist that kicks in if the car unintentionally drifts from the centre of a lane; intelligent, automatic high beam that works by monitoring lights of traffic, oncoming vehicles and street lighting; and a road-sign assist providing key information.
It doesn’t drive itself, but it comes closer to that than any car I’ve driven.
Now, when I told people I was going driving a hybrid, they told me I’d have to know where in Kerry there are electric charge points. As did I. And that was a concern.
Lo and behold, it self-charges in real time. The battery and the 1.8-petrol engine were beautifully synchronised, too, to provide exactly the acceleration I was looking at each time, further supported by the option of switching between three modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. If you ever feared a hybrid might be ‘ down on power’, not the case with the Corolla Hybrid.
The car was beautiful inside and out, and provided comfort to match – remarked upon not only by me but any passengers that came for a spin – while its engine hardly makes a whisper while performing exactly as I wanted it to.
You’ll notice by now I’ve gone through so much without mentioning the environmental benefits. And that’s intentional.
I’m sure most drivers do care about the environment but, if they’re honest, aren’t so willing to help if the car they’re driving, no matter how eco-friendly, isn’t delivering.
I’m sure I did the environment good service for the week by going hybrid, and that’s absolutely a bonus. But first and foremost I was hoping for a good machine – and that I most certainly got.
If you’re planning on buying today, the new Corolla Hybrid is as good a contender as any.