VW Passat GTE
‘If I Had Asked People What They Wanted, They Would Have Said Faster Horses’
VW’s latest response to the burgeoning UK plug-in hybrid market, and the only plug-in specimen here. With saloons currently out of favour, do we need this and the Golf GTE? Oh, yes, of course; that diesel thing…
Superthunderstingcar is Go
Not in the least. Nothing about the design remotely yells futuristic, and only distinguishable from a standard Passat by dint of electric blue trim and a recharging socket hidden behind a plasticky radiator grille flap.
The Elephant in the Loadspace
There must be; how else can it weight a whopping 352kg more than the IONIQ? Still, ruthlessly well made interior, driving position excellent, seats comfortable, and more room in the back than the others here.
Turn up The Eagles the Neighbours are Listening…
Already pricey and well specced at £34,000. But once again the VAG group pulls off that neat trick of adding nearly eight grand’s worth of extras without anyone really noticing, including flavour-of-the-month TFT instrument binnacle.
Assault by Battery or Robbery with Violins?
31 miles of all-electric driving at up to 81mph, then smooth, punchy hybrid motoring thereafter despite the addition of considerable lard. Hilariously optimistic mpg figure, even if you do plug the GTE in every day.
Drive-by-Wire or Drive-by Shooting?
Controls not so tainted by the application of hybrid technology as those of Mondeo, and far nicer to drive in every respect except ride quality. Better balanced, better steering, and far less eager to squeal into understeer.
Verdict
Plug-in gives unfair advantage here, but Golf GTE offers identical technology for a kinder price.
Toyota Prius Excel
‘If I Had Asked People What They Wanted, They Would Have Said Faster Horses’
Fourth generation of the car that introduced hybrid powertrains to the world. Efficiency and low emissions remain the priority for Toyota, rather than performance, but rumour has it that this latest Prius actually handles.
Superthunderstingcar is Go
Easily the most Fireball XL5 styling exercise here. Even so, with couture almost entirely dedicated to aerodynamic efficiency, that’s largely down to front and rear lamp cluster designs lifted piecemeal from a Klingon armoury.
The Elephant in the Loadspace
Fine, comfortable driving position once seat lifted to mezzanine level. Plenty of legroom astern, but four-seat option as in plug-in variant preferable. Build quality terrific, but white plastic trim a disaster -a Belfast sink in a Starck interior.
Turn up The Eagles the Neighbours are Listening…
Two tiers of comprehensive, dashboard-based infotainment (neither in front of the driver), including more eco driving assistance than you can shake a stick at. Excellent JBL stereo. Wireless charging for a phone I don’t own.
Assault by Battery or Robbery with Violins?
Smooth, quiet and frugal experience, as long as you’re careful with the throttle. Lead foot still promotes cattle rustling under bonnet as CVT-style transmission solicits peak power from engine, but now less intrusive through better insulation.
Drive-by-Wire or Drive-by Shooting?
Everyday driveability better than ever. Ride smoother, steering quicker and car more eager to tackle corners with greater aplomb. Regenerative braking system has more nuanced pedal feel too, but is still fierce at first touch.
Verdict
The Murray Mint of hybrids; not to be hurried if you wish to get the best out of it.
CAR WINNER
Hyundai IONIQ Premium SE
‘If I Had Asked People What They Wanted, They Would Have Said Faster Horses’
…Or, in this case, the closest thing you can get to a Prius without actually building a Prius. Boasts the world’s first choice of hybrid, plug-in and all-electric powertrains in the same model. This is the hybrid.
Superthunderstingcar is Go
All the styling cues of a hybrid sharing the drag coefficient of a Prius, even the split rear screen with view-obscuring spoiler. But, frankly, hardly a thing of loveliness from any angle.
The Elephant in the Loadspace
Conventional interior with quality and finish trailing Prius. Driving position good, but firm seat the least comfortable here. Rear seats suffer from limited headroom, but battery under seat gives better loadspace.
Turn up The Eagles the Neighbours are Listening…
Straightforward, reasonably comprehensive equipment specification. Plays half a cheery electronic symphony at you at start up or stop. Annoying. Passenger seatbelt rattles constantly against scratchy plastic B pillar. Even more annoying.
Assault by Battery or Robbery with Violins?
Engine all too eager to start with ignition, with too much vibration through controls. Very easy to drive, with dual clutch obviating heifer branding noises off. Sluggish under throttle unless Sport mode selected to add double espresso.
Drive-by-Wire or Drive-by Shooting?
Firm, fidgety ride at low speeds, but settles nicely into a quiet cruise with tyre roar predominant. Steering and body control both acceptable, but this isn’t a car you’ll wish to lob around overmuch.
Verdict
Scores over the Prius only on price and the absence of CVT transmission.
Ford Mondeo Hybrid Titanium
‘If I Had Asked People What They Wanted, They Would Have Said Faster Horses’
Henry Ford said that. I wonder what he’d have said to a car that reeks of tailoring to the American market going on sale in the UK. Where’s this hybrid technology in a Kuga, or a Focus, or a Fiesta?
Superthunderstingcar is Go
No it isn’t. Aston Martin Smith front grille et al, this is identical to a standard Mondeo but for discreet badging and low rolling resistance tyres. Surprising that Ford doesn’t appear to want to shout about hybrid.
The Elephant in the Loadspace
Not as much of a porker as the Passat, but still far heavier than the Prius and IONIQ. Standard Mondeo comfort and space in very department except the boot, which suffers from an infestation of Lithium-ion.
Turn up The Eagles the Neighbours are Listening…
Stout standard equipment specification. Two and half grand’s worth of extras include the Sony infotainment system upgrade, numerous active safety features, inflatable rear seatbelts and exorbitant white paint.
Assault by Battery or Robbery with Violins?
Claims to be a 6-speed transmission, but drives like a CVT with attendant bovine harmonies. Powertrain quiet and comfortable for pottering, but unpleasantly indecisive when pushed with engine revs all over the place. Sport mode?
Drive-by-Wire or Drive-by Shooting?
All the controls we usually enjoy so much in a Ford tainted by the application of clumsy hybrid technology. Steering heavy and numb, throttle response a day late, body roll worse and understeer clamouring to be unleashed.
Verdict
Built for America; should have stayed there.