Toyota hybrid is best in class

So what’s the point of booking a Toyota hybrid when there’s one standing at home?

Well, as much as I love my C-HR, and I do really love my C-HR, there is another model, the plug-in hybrid.

So while a man on a flying horse might not spot the difference as they stand side by side in the car park there is quite a lot to differentiate the two – but do I lust after the more expensive model?

My C-HR is the 1.8 self-charging hybrid in Design spec, that’s one up from the base model. PHEV is a 2.0 litre plug-in hybrid in a higher GR Sport spec which isn’t far off 10k more than mine.

Given I’m lucky enough to drive most cars the fact I choose to buy a C-HR with my own hard-earned cash speaks volumes. To me it’s the best in class.

PHEV shares the same stunning good looks. It really is a beautifully proportioned, attractive car, with compact stance and sexy lines it is appealing from any angle.

The more expensive look gets a bi-tone paint job and glass roof which are fab but my solid amethyst colour looks equally attractive, they are just different.

Inside is upgraded too with less plain trim and better detailing but the basics – dash, touchscreen, switches and controls – are the same and remain truly excellent.

I love the C-HR interior as it’s functional, well-equipped and comfortable in equal measure.

The fact it sees a return to switches and buttons is perfect for me but even the remainder of the functions on the touchscreen are easy to understand and operate, which is a blessing.

There is one button that provokes some envy – a heated steering wheel – but that’s about it.

So what is the difference? Well my 1.8 hybrid just looks after itself. It switches seamlessly between running on electric and petrol and/or both when it deems it necessary.

It is amazing. Pootling around the lanes around home it returns 70, 80 and even 90 miles per gallon.

The tank range from full is 525 miles and even when pushed harder, long distance, it happily returns 62+mpg. It is just so cheap to run.

PHEV offers considerably more power up from my 140hp to a lusty 220hp and you can feel it from start-off – which is generally in electric mode – and when overtaking.

When the bigger battery is fully charged it will run on full electric for 40 miles. So if your commute is 20 miles or less each way you won’t actually use any petrol.

It can be recharged at home from the three pin mains supply in 6.5 hours or from a 7kW wallbox in 2.5, or from public chargers.

On the move, if you press and hold the EV button near the gear selector down for a few seconds the engine will recharge the battery but, interestingly, when you do this, the fuel economy drops to 39.7mpg, so I stop bothering.

Even when the battery charge is low, registering — on the dash, the self-charging/petrol gubbins takes over and the economy jumps back up to 60+.

I do wonder whether it has a smaller fuel tank as the maximum range displayed on the dash is just over 400 miles rather than my car’s 500+.

Driving both is equally splendid. The C-HR in both forms steers and handles magnificently. The extra poke from the PHEV is welcome but how many times do you really need it on modern roads and mine is no slouch.

Pros and cons? PHEV gets extra power, more flexibility and if your round trip commute is less than 40 it would be brilliant to use electric all the way and not have the faff of having to charge. The extra toys and bigger alloys are nice but not necessary and the cheaper model doesn’t ever feel like a poorer relation.

So, what’s the verdict? Well, if I could afford the PHEV in this higher spec I might be tempted, but I can’t, and that’s no problem at all because the normal self-charging hybrid in Design specification, is that good. You pay your money, or not, and you take your choice.