TOYOTA PRIUS Reviews

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Total:	20 out of 30

Body 1
Four diesel engines are available, there are 1.3-litre 90 and 1.7-litre 100bhp options as well as a beefy 1.9-litre powerplant (offered in 120 and 150bhp guises) that has been developed by Fiat. As would be expected, all meet the Euro IV emissions regulations. Prices start at a very reasonable £15,195 for the 90bhp Life edition, with the 100bhp models starting at £16,045. Add around £1,000 and you can land yourself an estate. Three-door Sport Hatch models come with 100, 120 or 150bhp diesels and cost from around £17,000. On the road, the 100bhp unit feels willing enough, accelerating to 60mph in 11.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 112mph. A combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg won't give too much cause for complaint given the performance on offer, nor will the emissions figure of 138g/km. The 1.7-litre diesels aren't the most refined oil burners you can buy but they both pull strongly from low revs and make some very respectable figures. A 1.7-litre CDTi ecoFLEX engine is also available which returns 62.8mpg and emits 119g/km CO2. Should you choose to place an order for the potent 1.9-litre unit, you should find it worth the wait. Despite the engine being turbocharged, there's not the elastic power delivery of the old Volkswagen 1.9-litre TDI engine and acceleration feels more measured and not a frantic struggle to hook up the next gear. Performance is excellent, the 150bhp 1.9-litre engine hauling the Astra to 60mph in 8.3 seconds with a combined fuel economy figure - given a more measured application of right clog - of 50.4mpg. Emitting just 151g/km of carbon dioxide per kilometre, this car will doubtless fulfil Vauxhall's brief for the Astra, namely that it will be just as desirable for private and company users alike.

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