Featured Should I consider a Corolla (Auris) Hybrid instead

Check which engine it has - is the the 1798cc that is used in Gen 3 or or the 1498cc from the Gen 2?

 

I would venture to say you're much more familiar and educated to the realities of a Corolla/Auris hybrid than most North Americans. You seem to have an excellent handle on what it's all about and what the differences between itself and a Prius would be.

Only you can really ascertain if you would be unhappy with some of it's compromises in relationship to a Prius.

I'm not versed or familiar with consumer life in Australia. But I find it hard to believe that it wouldn't be possible to get a Prius, regardless of one dealerships representatives seeming attitude. If I really wanted a Gen 4 Prius, I'd be willing to drive an hour or 2 easily. Phone calls would be even easier and potentially cheaper. In short, if I wanted a Prius I wouldn't necessarily give up on the idea of getting one,

A quick google search tells me Australia has a population of over 23 million. Maybe sadly and surprisingly, a similar search reveals only 3 official Toyota Dealerships. I'd still call each one with exactly what you want and see about the reality of making it happen. If getting one, or even looking at one, really is an insurmountable reality, then I suppose factoring in the evident availability of The Auris Hybrid needs to be recognized as a factor.

Good Luck, with the search and eventually the decision.

 

It is worth noting that the Corolla/Auris hybrid does have an independent rear suspension, unlike the Gen 3 Prius.

It has a shorter wheelbase than the Gen 3/4 Prius, though, as well (2600 mm instead of 2700 mm). This will obviously translate into less rear seat room, and the whole car is shorter (less cargo room). That may be a positive or a negative depending on your planned usage of the car.

 

Why would it use premium fuel? It is the same drivetrain as in the gen3 Prius.

We don't get the Auris hybrid in the US, but it has been popular in Europe. It and the Yaris hybrid are why Toyota hybrid sales there have grown.

 

Now I'm curious what Toyota recommends in Japan for the gen3. In the US, it is regular, 87 AKI, which appears to be the same octane as in Australia. Your premium is in between our midgrade and California premium, 89 and 91 AKI.

Most likely, there is no difference between the engines in the different markets. If it can go 'temporarily' on regular in Australia, it has knock sensors, and Toyota just lets the ECU dial back the timing for the US. Unless there is some other difference, like minimum detergent requirements, between US and Australian regular, the car should be fine running on it its entire life. I f you don't mind the slight loss in power. Economy may also drop, but whether that is bad depends on the two fuels' price difference.

Just mention it because you would get a larger response to your question on a more Euro centric board. They've been getting the hybrid version for at least as long as the Prius c has made out.

The Corolla sounds like the better deal if the size difference doesn't matter. A question I have is how soon do you need to replace your current car? If there is no rush, I'd wait until you have a chance to see and test drive both. I'd also suggest considering a used gen3. hkmb here is also in Australia, and recommends getting cars from the auction in your market.

 

Have you considered becoming a taxi owner?

 

I'm even wondering if it's something like different Toyota marketing groups handling the different models?

Like, was the Gen 3 and the Auris Hybrid handled by Toyota Europe, and the Gen 4 by Toyota Japan?

A 95 RON requirement in the Gen 3 and Auris Hybrid would make sense if they came from Toyota Europe, where 95 RON is the lowest they can get.

Annoyingly, I couldn't find octane requirements on toyota.jp - the Prius Alpha should say.

 

In the USA, there are different Toyota Regional Groups whose only responsibility is to get the cars from the shipping port to the dealers. More than a few of us suspect Southeast Toyota doesn't really care to promote efficient Toyota vehicles and especially the Prius: (1) throw 'eye candy' on every one at the port to inflate port charges; (2) lethargic shipping with wrong car in wrong areas; (3) blind to local dealer gouging in Prius popular areas, and; (4) tone-deaf to buyer requests. Just going over the Alabama-Tennessee line is a different region and attitude.

Bob Wilson

 

The Prius was designed as an energy-efficient car. Not just the power train, but everything else in and around the car. The Auris/Corolla is a standard car which has had its gas engine replaced with a hybrid engine. So, yes, the Prius is more focused. But the Auris has the advantage of being a smaller car, which could attract some folk.

 

The posts AKI on the pump, which is the average of RON and MON. Regular is the same in both markets, and if the car can use regular on a temporary basis, it can use it all the time. I know the engine in my Sonic is designed for higher octane fuel, but GM says regular in the US because higher octane requirements loses sales. It does get better fuel economy on midgrade and premium.

If you go with the Corolla, run some tests to see if there is a difference in fuel economy. It is possible that the cost per mile can work out the same if the car can make use of the higher octane fuel.

 

Totally agree. I'm busier now than when I was working; 2 granddaughters keep oneself fully engaged.

 

Electronic controls and knock sensors are on everything now. I think you'd have to go out into the middle of the Outback to even find a gas station that might have gasoline too poor in quality to run in a Prius.

The only modern cars that have actual higher than regular octane requirements are the high performance supercars. In the case of the European models, it is mostly because the regular available in their home country is higher octane than in the US and Australia.