Prius fends off latest challenge to hybrid crown

Published: 17/11/2011

The Toyota Prius is still the hybrid to beat, according to Which? magazine, seeing off a new challenge from Peugeot’s diesel-sipping 3008 HYbrid4.

The latter, which offers four-wheel-drive, 200bhp and 99g/km CO2, “is more expensive than a high-end Prius”, which the paper describes as “similar in space, if not stance”.

Both avoid car tax and the 3008 only beats the Prius by “a snippet” on claimed fuel economy, and “can’t match its emissions”. A hybrid version of the 3008 costs £4,200 more than a normal diesel version. “Even if it can match its impressive 74.3mpg claim, it would take almost seven years to recoup this amount in saved car tax and fuel. It makes more sense as a fleet car – company car tax is just £1,077 a year for a 40 per cent tax payer.”

Its hybrid system “works well” but the gearbox is “very slow to respond in automatic”, meaning overtaking is only suitable in ‘Sport’ mode. “Overall, it’s an interesting new hybrid, but the price, gearbox and Peugeot’s poor reliability record are significant drawbacks.”

The Prius is the “established market leader” and provides “plenty of space, sound handling and very good reliability”. It also has one “overwhelming advantage” over its new rival – “there’s a model available for a similar price to the nearest equivalent diesel-powered car”. (Source: Which?, November)

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