will the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion diesel take down the king of potency, the petrol-electric Toyota Prius?
Toyota’s new Prius has seen off all of its hybrid challengers in our cluster tests to date, however it’s facing a special quite eco-focused competition here.
Volkswagen’s BlueMotion line of high-efficiency vehicles has perpetually targeted on increasing economy from typical powertrains instead of advanced hybrid systems, and also the new model takes this to succeeding level. VW claims the one.6-litre turbodiesel Passat emits 95g/km of dioxide, though this is often still how behind the Prius’ 70g/km output. however whereas the German brand’s name took successful once the Dieselgate scandal, you can’t write off this diesel automotive.
The BlueMotion’s spectacular prudence suggests that it shines on longer journeys, nevertheless it ought to conjointly come back spectacular economy figures around city. Being a hybrid, the Toyota is at its best in specific circumstances, however that doesn’t mean it’s out of its depth as a family automotive or a business vehicle; this new model guarantees higher fuel economy than ever. Here, we tend to see which kind of automotive is a lot of economical and makes a lot of sense daily.
Head-to-head
Aerodynamics
Reducing drag is a good approach of up potency. The VW contains a closed-off grille and a made-to-order bodykit, whereas the Prius’ Byzantine form manages the flow of air over the automotive within the cleanest path attainable. options just like the rubber strip between the bonnet and bumper any scale back turbulence, with an honest coefficient of drag of zero.24Cd.
Refinement
Volkswagen’s diesel is yelling once revved onerous, whereas firmer suspension suggests that there’s some road noise at higher speeds. Toyota has worked onerous on its hybrid powertrain to chop decibels, helped by double-glazed windows. However, there's a lot of tyre roar on motorways.
Saloon vs hatch
The Toyota doesn’t supply the maximum amount boot house because the Passat, however its massive hatch makes it easier to load than the VW saloon with its smaller gap. With the rear seats down, a giant load-through space boosts the Prius’ flexibility any – a bonus in an exceedingly family automotive.
Verdict
First place: Toyota Prius
The Prius’ style won’t be to everyone’s style, however there’s no denying it's and feels plenty a lot of distinctive than the Passat. However, the massive profit comes from its hybrid powertrain, delivering helpful savings over the conventionally battery-powered Volkswagen. the graceful ride and capable chassis mean it’s conjointly smart to drive, and currently a lot of refined than ever.
Second place: Volkswagen Passat
The Passat’s lower fuel economy and better dioxide emissions mean it can’t contend with the Prius. It’ll be dearer to run as a result, with higher mating prices and bigger depreciation. The VW is roomier within and provides an even bigger boot in five-seat type, however the Toyota is simply as sensible and a a lot of economical resolution for daily use.
Is it value watching for this model?
Toyota Prius Plug-In
Due: Late 2016
Price: £30k (est)
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl hybrid, 118bhp (est)
Toyota claims its new Prius Plug-In can come back 202mpg and emit 32g/km of dioxide. valuation hasn’t been discovered, however it’ll value quite the quality automotive, because it takes potency to succeeding level.
Figures
Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i Active - Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI BlueMotion
On-the-road price/total as tested £23,295/£24,540 £23,530/£25,605
Residual price (after 3yrs/30,000) £11,349/48.7% £10,951/46.5%
Depreciation £11,946 £12,579
Annual liabilities std/higher rate £511/£1,023 £892/£1,784
Annual fuel value (12k/20k miles) £981/£1,636 £1,156/£1,927
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost 14/£569/A/£0 15/£564/A/£0
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £169/£219/£169 £16 per month
Length/wheelbase 4,540/2,700mm 4,767/2,791mm
Height/width 1,470/1,760mm 1,456/1,832mm
Engine Elec motor/4cyl/1,798cc 4cyl in-line/1,598cc
Peak power 121^/5,200 bhp/rpm 118/3,600 bhp/rpm
Peak torsion 142/3,600 Nm/rpm 250/1,750 Nm/rpm
Transmission CVT/fwd 6-spd man/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 43 litres/space-saver 59 litres/space-saver
Boot capability (seats up/down) 343/1,558 litres 586/1,152 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 1,375/415/725kg 1,474/621/1,500kg
Turning circle/drag constant 10.8 metres/0.24Cd 11.7 metres/N/A
Basic guarantee (miles)/recovery 5yrs (100,000)/1yr 3yrs (60,000)/1yr
Service intervals/UK dealers 10,000 miles (1yr)/181 Variable/223
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 8th/2nd 22nd/30th
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars N/A 85/87/66/76/5
0-60/30-70mph 10.4/10.2 secs 10.1/9.1 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th four.0 secs (kickdown) 4.5/7.4 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th 6.1 secs (kickdown) 9.2/13.5 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph 112mph/N/A 130mph/1,800rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 52.8/37.4/12.0m 50.4/36.2/10.6m
Auto specific econ (mpg/mpl)/range 57.8/12.7/547 miles 49.3/10.8/640 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 97.4/91.1/94.2mpg 65.7/85.6/76.3mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 21.4/20.0/20.7mpl 14.5/18.8/16.8mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 131/70g/km/11% 154/95g/km/19%
Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Seven/yes/£495/yes Nine/yes/£450/£315
Auto gearbox/stability/cruise management Yes/yes/adaptive No/yes/£255
Climate control/leather/heated seats Yes/no/no No/no/£285*
Metallic paint/LED lights/keyless go £495/yes/yes £545/£965/no
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth £750/yes/yes/yes £675/yes/yes/yes
