Is Diesel my only option?

jayo76

I have been looking at changing cars for a few weeks, hoping to do so in New Year. I really like the Toyota CHR but not sure its practical or economical for me.

I commute 50km to work there and back, 100km round trip. Daily mileage low other than that. Travel down the country every 2/3 weeks to visit family, 400km round trip.

Is a CHR Hybrid unrealistic with this mileage, am I still much better off buying diesel?

JPup

Toyota CHR should be very reliable and economical. Just checked honest john and it has its real world mpg down as 58 (for the hybrid engine) versus 55 for the 1.6 diesel in the VW T-Roc which would be a key competitor.

You're paying a bit extra for the petrol of course, but cheaper maintenance over diesel will balance out over time. Plus you have the comfort of an automatic which is rare in a diesel at a similar price point.

Eldest/favourite Daughter got the Toyota CHR & swears by it, she does various daily driving......anything from 20-150km per day.....urban/ rural & a bit of motorway.......she says the economy is fantastic. It IS a bit pricey but very easy 'on the eye'. I've only driven it once for a couple hours & I found it lively a a beautiful ride, great roadholding.

Lantus

To achieve good mpg you will need to drive conservatively. Being honest is this you? If yes then a nice car.

But on paper a diesel does look better for motorway miles. The hybrid works best for shorter journeys.

Leonard Hofstadter

A hybrid is much nicer to drive than a diesel, though - I've driven a few hybrids this year and been very surprised by them (in a good way); way smoother than diesel, even the CVT gearbox (which I absolutely despise in a standard car) works surprisingly well, and apparently the latest ones are just as fuel efficient as diesel on the motorway. No dual mass flywheel, DPFs or other expensive diesel technology to go expensively wrong either (although to be fair those systems are far more reliable than they used to be).

I haven't been in a C-HR but I must say Toyota have massively improved their interiors from a few years ago, I really like the styling of the C-HR (as crossovers go), but I think the biggest problem is the Corolla; that's even better looking (IMO) and being a conventional hatchback / saloon not a crossover will be faster, more comfortable, more economical, better handling, cheaper to run and cheaper to buy. I can't understand why people want to pay more for cars that are going to be much worse. Also, it is very much to Toyota's credit that they fit their cars with independent rear suspension when other manufacturers are cutting costs and not doing it (like the Merc A-class or Audi A3) and if the reviews of them are to be believed, Toyota have really upped their game with making their cars more fun to drive than before.

jayo76

Thanks all for the comments, great to get some opinion. I currently have a diesel and had more or less decided on a hybrid but then had a couple of people telling me that with my commute a hybrid just wouldnt be efficient fuel wise and I'd be taking on a second mortgage effectively!

I do really like the chr, will also look at corolla, and looking at hyundai and kia also.

I would say I do drive conservatively generally. Commute even though it is 90% motorway is at an average of 80/90 kph anyway with traffic volume. Trips down the country with motorway would be 110/120 kph.

TheBigGreen

My girlfriend was looking at the Toyota CHR a few years ago and the thing that put her off was it was small and cramped inside.

She got a Qashqai instead and is delighted with it.

AMKC

The Renault Arkana is well worth looking at too. Much more practical, more spacious and newer then the C-HR too.

For Forks Sake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118232471#Comment_118232471

Once you actually look at one, you'll decide on literally any other car, it's from the same disgusting design as the BMW x4/x6 school

BorneTobyWilde

You could go all electric with those kms you do .

fricatus

With that type of commute, you could and should go electric, assuming you have a driveway to charge in, or work offers charging. You would save a ton of diesel money, and most new EVs can do that 200 km trip in one go without stopping. You only need to figure out where to charge it when you're visiting the family.

My commute is similar to yours and I changed from diesel to electric three years ago and I reckon I saved about €2,500 a year in fuel (maybe that included tax savings, but you get the general idea). Look at a few EVs and do your homework on the costs - might be worth your while. The little bit of charging hassle that you occasionally encounter is worth it.

A lot of people seem alergic to Diesel on boards.

I'd be going Diesel.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118232953#Comment_118232953

I disagree. I have seen a few about as well as looked at them at the dealership and think they look great. The thing that makes the BMWs so ugly is there oversized grill and the size of the things. The Arkana does not have on ugly grill or badge it has the best looking badge in the car world and the car is a decent size not oversized.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118233348#Comment_118233348

That's because diesel is bad and should never have been in cars unless it was for work like a Taxi or someone who does a lot of driving and people driving them should have had a special permit that cost 500 a year to do so and have to get them checked every year maybe even ever 6 months by an engine specialist to make sure no messing going on with the engine or exhaust and this would apply to all diesel cars no matter there year or age. The worst thing ever here and in other other parts of the world was making stupid diesel cars popular.

The sooner they are all gone the better.

bazz26

Oh Christ, another wannabe Gretta. The same concerned planet worriers who will no doubt be buying lots of unnecessary **** over the next month because it's Christmas, delivered by couriers in diesel vans and trucks. Then all the unwanted packaging left over stuffed into a recycle bin for someone else to worry about. Oh and the same ones who will be looking forward to next year's summer holiday abroad and have no problem getting on a polluting airplane or ferry.

Producing everything has a cost to the planet so look at the bigger picture.

PaulRyan97

What's your budget? If buying new I would go with an EV or PHEV (assuming you can charge at home or work). If used, some hybrids might be worth considering though you might get a good deal on an economical diesel.

BorneTobyWilde

The only reason people use diesel cars is the cost of the fuel. If petrol was always 10 cent cheaper then people would have been buying petrol cars all along.

roosterman71

We've a CH-R here and wouldn't recommend it. It's small inside and can be cramped (front passenger seat will not fit an adult if there is a childs seat behind it for example). Boot space is tiny too. Fuel economy is no better than a small engine petrol. Our driving is mainly N roads, primarily to school about 10km away. Engine runs 90+% of the time on the trip. Battery only at low speeds. Above 30 the engine kicks in and sooner if you are a little heavy on the pedal starting off. Average fuel consumption since we bought it is 6.09l/100km

Electric sounds suitable for the OP

uncle_sam_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118233247#Comment_118233247

It's costing me all added up with with diesel, insurance, tax and car a loan around 500 euro a month. Plus no range anxiety. To PCP an electric with decent range it would cost me more. Until the infrastructure is better and the prices come down, diesel is a better option.

The 400km trip will mean Diesel is the best option. Still some life left in the old horses.

Turbolounge

I'm surprised very few people mention how a diesel will hemorrhage value over the new few years, especially compared to hybrid/ ev

bazz26

Maybe they don't share your opinion.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118308651#Comment_118308651

Very interesting point. If extra taxes and congestion charges come in for diesels they may go the way of the pre-2008 cars in the drop of resalable value.

celtic_oz

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118310281#Comment_118310281

Very hard to a used petrol after 2008. Often diesel is your only choice unless you buy a newish car.