TOYOTA recently brought a variety of their products, including examples from the Lexus premium division, north of the border for motoring writers to try out.
I sampled three offerings, in each of which I spent an hour or so behind the wheel.
My first outing was in a Toyota Corolla which is a self-charging hybrid with 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines and available as a hatchback or estate, the latter known as the Touring Sports. I drove a 1.8 estate in mid-range Design trim and priced at £33,465.
Renowned for its reliability, the Corolla has been around since 1966 and global sales passed the 50 million mark in 2021.
Buying a Corolla is supporting British industry as the model is produced in Burnaston, Derbyshire.
The 1.8 Touring Sports, which has a combined petrol/electric output of 138bhp, is nippy, drives well, offers a boot capacity of 596 litres and has an official combined cycles economy rating of 60.1mpg.
Thinking about the current cost-of-living crisis, I next booked a slot with Toyota’s entry model - the Aygo X (the X is pronounced Cross).
Four grades are offered, with manual versions priced from £15,990 to £20,110. Pictured is the £18,910 Exclusive, one level from the top. An Exclusive with automatic transmission costs £20,015.
Manufacturers including Citroen, Peugeot and Ford have deserted the city car sector but Toyota reckon there is still a market for the Aygo X.
Its restricted rear legroom and modest boot rule it out as a family car but there are those who don’t require or desire anything bigger than the Toyota.
With its 1.0, three-cylinder engine producing just 71bhp, the Aygo X is sluggish off the mark and I found the five-speed manual could do with a bit more power on the open road.
My final drive was in a Lexus NX 450h+, a family SUV and the premium brand’s first plug-in hybrid.
Prices start around £55,000 and the Premium Plus Pack version shown costs £60,700 plus £1,020 for its Sonic White paint.
It has a combined 2.5 petrol/electric output of 305bhp, with an official electric-only range of up to 43 miles.
Finished to a high standard, Lexus say the NX 450h+ swishes from rest to 62mph in just 6.3 seconds. It handles agreeably and has a comfortable ride.
The Premium Plus Pack specification is generous and includes heated seats front and rear, with the front ones also ventilated
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