See how MNers are getting on test-driving the new Toyota Auris Icon 1.8 Hybrid. Non-testers: Tell us your fave things about Britain - £200 voucher to be won. NOW CLOSED

[KatieBMumsnet]

This thread is for the 8 Mumsnetters who are taking part in the extended test-drive of the new Toyota Auris Icon Hybrid.
Five testers and their families will also be making a video of their test drive - so look out for this on Toyota's page on Mumsnet soon.

Below are some questions for you to answer over the course of the test drive - please don't worry about answering all of them straight away, some may be more relevant after you've had the car for a week or so.

We'd like you to post updates on this thread at least twice a week - more if you'd like! Please also remember to send any photos of your test-drive to me.

Questions

• What were your/your partner's first impressions of the car?
• What do the children think of it?
• How did you find driving a Hybrid? Was it what you expected?
• What's it like to drive?
• Is it a comfortable ride?
• What's the boot space like?
• What do you think about the features of the car? E.g Heads up display, electric seats, smart start system, multimedia system, rear-parking camera?
• Were these features what you expected the Auris to have or additional?
• Are there any other features you?d like the car to have?
• Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Toyota in future?
• Has testing this car changed your perception of Toyota cars at all? If so, how?
• What one thing do you like best about it?
• What one thing would you change about it?

For those of you not taking part in the extended test drive, did you know the Toyota Auris is made right here in Britain? With this in mind, we'd love to know your favourite things about Britain?...What 'Great British Days Out' are a must for you and your family? Are you planning any holidays in Britain this summer? What about British produce? Do you try to buy British when you can? Share your comments and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Love2Shop voucher

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

I've been checking out used ones. A couple of years old brings them in much more comfortably to my price bracket.

Ah right. There was at 60 plate Auris next to me at work today. It's a lot curvier n smooth. I like the boxy-angry ness of this one

Yeah the shape is different! Maybe I'll wait a while until this ones are classed as used! Dh has just changed his car, so I will have to wait anyway!

Dh has my old clapped out banger KA that is currently held together with petrol and rust. We are buying a new/ish one for him in the next few weeks. But this is outta our price range as car buying has also coincided with new boiler/central heating being installed in the entirety of our house. Ouch

That reminds me. Did I win the lottery yesterday?! goes n checks

Thanks for all your feedback and comments so far. Toyota have asked for the following to be posted:
"Love your hybrid? Here at Toyota we are on the look out for MNers who own an Auris hybrid or Yaris hybrid. We'd love to know what you think and chat to you for our This Way customer magazine."

If you'd like to be involved or find out more please PM me.

There is a yaris hybrid..............???

Yerr. Think its 62 or 13 plate onwards. Expensive though. Might as well get they Auris though

Don't quote me on the ages though

Hmmmmm, there is a possibility!! :o

quite sad to be taking the car back. Managed to get it into a really tight space at work. It is so easy to manouevre. I definitely don't want to drive my old car home again so hoping there may be something else there I like.

What I love about Britain-

Caravan/camping holidays in the rain- always ended up huddled up with the family, all under masses of blankets, playing silly games like the word association game

Haribo sweeties

Tea and crumpets ofcourse darling!

Bovril- perfect for when you need a nice warm belly

The sound of a British ice cream van

A proper day out to the seaside- bucket, spade, rock and all

Our music/fashion/culture

How we all love tennis when Wimbledon is on and we all banded together to cheer on the Olympics and Paralympics

Britains spirit!!!

My list could seriously go on

what were your/your partner?s first impressions of the car?
On the way to the dealership we played guess the colour. Loved that it is white, but not just white but that BRIGHT WHITE that all new cars seem to be. Externally it?s amazing, gun metal alloys, LED headlights, angry looking at the front (dh?s words) and tinted rear windows. Aesthetically it?s stunning. A far cry from my SEAT Ibiza. However once we were talked through it I?ve never been so daunted on the prospect of driving a car. Let alone a 20k one. Just having the locking system explained had me baffled. ?So all you have to do is touch the door handle to lock it??? I asked. Then there is what looks like an on board computer to get my head round AND it?s an automatic. But after a quick spin it wasn?t that complicated and it is essentially a very high tech go cart.

what do your children think of it?
DD is only 15 months so didn?t have much to say on the matter, but thoroughly enjoyed watching Trooping the Colour and making a right mess with some rice cakes in the showroom whilst i went for a test drive! Thank you Toyota!

How do you find driving a Hybrid?
Driving a hybrid I have to admit does take a bit of the fun out of driving a car as it?s an automatic. In my car I like having a clutch and gears as you can use it to your advantage like if you?ve pulled out of a junction a bit too late. But the most noticeable thing is how quiet it is. When you switch it on it?s silent. Same with speeds

Are you planning any holidays in Britain this summer?
YES - discover the countryside, and also enjoy the open spaces that London provides - beautiful parks with loads to do and see. Eg. the deer at Richmond park, the zoo at Regents Park, the views from Hampstead Heath, etc...

With this in mind, we'd love to know your favourite things about Britain?
Fish and chips, strawberries and ice cream, Cornwall, cream tea's, cobbled streets, red post boxes,

What 'Great British Days Out' are a must for you and your family? Are you planning any holidays in Britain this summer?

yes we love Cornwall, think it is so beautiful. Also love other coastal spots such as Dorset and then love the countryside and quaintness of the Cotswold. We visit these areas regularly throughout the year. We also enjoy short breaks to London- it is an amazing city.

What about British produce? Do you try to buy British when you can?

try to, but often price factors in rather than choice

Fave thing about Britain: Seaside resorts, buckets and spades, rock pools, ice cream and fish and chips. National Trust tea shops.

Great British days out: Forbidden Corner is just magical.

I always try to buy British. We have the best fashion, crafts and art. Local produce veg, fruit cheese and meat is healthier and tastier.

One of my favourite things about Britain is that you can be in the middle of a bustling city and merely 2 hours drive away you can be in the most awe inspiring, majestic countryside that there is.

Our favourite Great British day out is to Portavadie Marina on Loch Fyne. It's a world class resort with fabulous restaurants and facilities, amazing berthing rates and they're building a spa.... if I could I would just move in!

We try to 'buy British', but sometimes it's far too expensive to allow us to do so.

gave my friend a lift to airport and felt confident about driving car there using sat nav. car is so easy to drive and I feel confident whereas I always felt nervous in my own car if I was out of comfort zone. sad to give it back

Heading back with Raul (that's what I've named this car) although shit myself when i got a phone call saying apparantly it was due back yesterday. Whoops

It's gone

so has mine :(. I was so tempted to buy another car from the showroom but I came home with my old car again.

Picked it up today. First drive on motorway eek! But was surprisingly easy to get used to an automatic and keep left leg and left hand still. Keyless was good on way back from shop and keys were in the bottom of my bag. Will report back when I have done more driving and can answer all the questions.

We'd love to know your favourite things about Britain?...

Pubs and beer gardens, TV, comedians, theatres, stately homes, fish and chips, Pimms, shops... the list goes on!

What 'Great British Days Out' are a must for you and your family?

We love a visit to Blackpool every couple of years - the kids and the adults enjoy it.

Are you planning any holidays in Britain this summer?

Yes, we are going camping in Aviemore, Scotland - I can't wait (even despite the midges!)

What about British produce? Do you try to buy British when you can?

Yes, when finances allow! British fruit and veg always taste better, and when it comes to meat, I try to buy British too. Having said that, the financial aspect is always a concern as quite often imported produce is cheaper (why???)

Feeling very lucky to have been chosen to test drive the Auris and picked it up on Saturday lunch time. I will wait a while to review it, but I will say...

I waaaaaaaant one!!!

I have a 3 year old one and love it. I need to drive an automatic ( back problems) and had a corolla automatic before which I adored. This is even better. I thought I wouldn't like the keyless ignition, but now I have it I wouldn't go back.

Great British days out: I highly recommend the national trust. We get so much use out of our membership.

I live quite near the Toyota factory, random, irrelevant fact fans.