Sector: Lower medium Price (November 2013): £19,845 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 109g/km

Toyota has stuck rigidly to its preference for hybrid drive, but while the Auris Touring Sports is the only part-electric estate car in its segment, the range’s less publicised gem is a 1.4-litre diesel.

Its £1,600 price advantage means whole-life costs are surprisingly close for the two cars and, while on-paper figures suggest it can’t match its sibling’s 85g/km CO2 emissions, 76.3mpg economy and thus low Benefit in Kind liability, the reality isn’t quite so clear-cut.

Hybrids are ideal for inner-city use, less so for motorways. Drivers regularly covering long-distances will find the diesel very easily comes within reach of its claimed fuel economy, and that in some cases it may be the more efficient choice. As fuel costs continue to rise, choosing the right Auris for the job has never been more important.

Costs aside, the engine shapes up well. It’s quiet at speed speed and, despite 90bhp being the joint lowest output in this segment, it's delivered in a smooth and linear manner and doesn't feel strained when joining motorways or on steep inclines.

Toyota has also dramatically improved the way the Auris looks. The new GT86-style front end, lower roofline and upright dashboard have shed its predecessor’s chubbiness, and the longer roof of the Touring Sports suits the facelift. It’s also a well-packaged estate – the rear backrest drops using handles just inside the boot, and the load area is completely flat afterwards.

The Auris’s only real fault is its very talented rivals. There’s more versatility, power and economy elsewhere in this segment, which means while the diesel may be the real-world engine of choice, the hybrid will always look like the star performer.

Verdict:

Ignore the lowly power output, Toyota's 1.4-litre diesel engine pulls better than you might expect and uses very little fuel while doing so. The Auris is a good illustration of deploying the right engine for the job.