Toyota – Pulpaddict

Half term adventures off the beaten track

With the October half term well underway, we’ve teamed up with Toyota to compile a list of lesser-known locations across the UK for unforgettable days out – easily accessible by car.

The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports would be a natural for such trips. Spacious and economical, it’s ideally suited for family days out.

Not only does it have almost 600 litres of boot capacity, providing plenty of space for buggies, bikes, and picnics, but children are well catered for. They can enjoy audio books and music – via Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, or wired Android Auto systems.

The car is also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems, and finding your way to your destination is made hassle-free with cloud-based navigation that uses live traffic intelligence.

North-west England

BeWILDerwood, Cheshire (M6 – 18 miles from Junction 16)

This adventure forest is great for families with children aged 0-12 years, with activities such as ziplines, tree mazes, and climbing – many of which have been adapted for babies and toddlers too. During October and on selected November dates, BeWILDerwood is hosting The Glowing Lantern Parade: an enchantingwoodland display for darker evenings. Its attractions are accessible to all, with ‘rugged’ wheelchairs available.

Ticket price varies based on height – no more than £22.50 per person, and those under 92cm tall go free. BeWILDerwood’s free parking includes disabled spaces and electric vehicle charging points.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent (M6 – eight miles from J16)

The adventures at Waterworld range from Toddler Slides and the Interactive Jungle House, to extreme Thunderbolt and Cyclone rides.

There are disabled parking spaces, ramps, and changing cubicles – and all areas are wheelchair accessible. Entry tickets cost £24 for adults, £20 per child under 1.1m, and £7 for babies under two. There is a private, pay cark park nearby.

North-east England

Danby Lodge, York (A1 – forty miles from J49)

Located in York, Danby Lodge offers free entry to beautiful gardens and a shop offering books for all ages – to provide adventures for the mind. For the more athletic, there’s an outdoor play area and a woodland mud kitchen.

On Wednesday 30October, Danby Lodge is hosting Park in the Dark, at which you can explore the grounds by twilight. Other special activities, such as storytelling and performing, are also scheduled during the half-term week.

Paid parking is close to the entrance and wheelchair accessible routes can be obtained from the information desk. An off-road ‘tramper’ wheelchair, electric scooter and manual wheelchair are available – contact the venue for availability times and dates.

Midlands

Wroxham Barns, Norwich (A140 – 10 miles from A47 junction)

Wroxham Barns is a fun-filled adventure: you can pet and feed the animals, play in the indoor play area, go on the rides, or enjoy a round of mini golf. Almost the whole site is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair loans are available.

Entry is £9 and those under two go free. There is plenty of free parking available on site, including disabled parking.

South-east England

Nower Wood, Leatherhead (M25 – four miles from J9)

A great location for all nature lovers, especially bird-watchers, this woodland is suitable for all the family and provides wheelchair-accessible paths and disabled parking.

During October half term, the wood is hosting family events including Autumn Photography (27 October), Wild Explorers Holiday Club for children five to 11 (29-31October) and the Wild Rangers Conversation Club (31 October) for 11-17-year-olds, encouraging them to understand human impact on the natural environment.

Parking costs £10 for members and £11 for non-members, advance bookings only.

Aldenham Country Park (M25 – nine miles from J19)

Aldenham Country Park is an idyllic location, 12 miles north of London. There is an extensive range of activities available, such as feeding and petting animals, nature trails, and an adventure playground where you can swing, climb, and zip-line around.

From 12 October to 3 November, Spook-Fest offers Pumpkin Bingo, Giant Puzzles, Spider Maze, and Spooky-Oke. Pumpkin Picking and Carving, and Horrid Hay Tractor Rides, are scheduled for specific dates.

For SEND visitors, sessions are half price, and the SEND pavilion is open on weekends and during the school holidays; the adventure playground is reserved 9-11am for SEND-exclusive play.

Tickets cost £16.45 and include farm activities and access to the adventure playground. Activities can also be purchased individually. Parking onsite costs £4.50 a day.

South-west England

Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe (M5 – 17 miles from J27)

Built on the Devon coast in 1825, the gardens and villages of Watermouth Castle are today open to visitors. The Steam Carousel and Spinning Cooking Pots are rides aimed at young children.

New for this year, the Halloween Scare offers attractions such as the Cursed Forest, the Carnival of Clowns, and the Mad Maze. These are suitable for anyone older than 12, while those below 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Day tickets are £18, and parking is free; wheelchair users go free, with an accessible route around the castle.

Avon Valley, Bath (M32 – 10 miles from J13)

Avon Valley is an adventure and wildlife park, with a wealth of activities – such as the sand and water play areas, dinosaur valley with animatronic dinosaurs, miniature railway, and 8m climbing tower.

The Pumpkin Patch is open to visit throughout October, where you can pick your own pumpkins. The FEAR Scream Park (select days from 11 October) features rides and interactive experiences. Fearless is a family-friendly Halloween experience, for the fainter-hearted.

There is disabled parking; indoor areas are level and ramped; there is a visual guide to visiting Avon Valley for those with autism and sensory needs. Tickets for over twos are £14.95 on the day and £11.95 in advance. Parking is free.

Scotland

Glasgow Science Centre (M8 – two miles off J20)

Broaden the horizons of your adventure with the centre’s interactive exhibitions exploring space, the solar system, and quantum physics. There are also optical illusions to amaze all ages.

Glasgow Science Centre is accessible for all, with autism-friendly hours on Sundays, and an app called WelcoMe which helps users inform the team of any accessibility needs. The ticket desk loans wheelchairs which can be used in the accessible lifts and parking.

Tickets are £14.75 for adults and £11.50 for children over three. On-site parking is £3 per day.

Northern Ireland

High Rise, Lisburn (M1 – three miles from J6)

High Rise is an indoor centre offering activities for all ages – from climbing walls to soft play areas, and even an interactive sensory room for babies. Sessions last 90 minutes for climbing and soft play, and 45 minutes in sensory rooms.

There are sensory assistants and ear defenders available to borrow. Each week, there is an autism-friendly Clip n’ Climb and soft play session, which have received the Autism Impact Award from Autism NI.

Prices vary from £5 to £15.50.

Wales

Zip World, North Wales (A5 – two miles from the exit onto A470)

A treetop adventure for all the family, with activities such as the Fforest Coaster, Zip Safari, and Skyride.

From 11 October to 3 November, Zip World is hosting its annual Ffear Fforest Scare-Fest for visitors over nine, from 7:30-10:30pm. Its classic adventures are transformed into spooky experiences, such as the Cursed Coaster, The Nets, Nightfall (a 100ft tower), and Screamride.

There is parking on site; prices range from £13 to £40 per person.

Greenwood, North Wales (A55 – six miles from J11)

Be it the world’s only people-powered rollercoaster and a solar-powered water slide, moon kart riding, or animal petting, GreenWood is wholesome adventure for all the family.

During half term, Greenwood is hosting its SpOokWoOd festival, where children can enter a costume competition, watch Halloween-themed shows, participate in pumpkin carving and enjoy some spooky treats. This festival is aimed at children aged 3-10.

Off-peak tickets booked up to midnight the day before your visit (valid in October and November) are £7 for visitors under 1m and £20 for those taller than this height. Parking is free.

Toyota Corolla reports for duty with UK police

Gareth Herincx

55 mins ago
Auto News

The Toyota Corolla is a proud new recruit to the UK’s police – tailor-made and ready for duty as a reliable and durable patrol car that also offers the fuel and emissions efficiency benefits of hybrid power.

A dedicated team at Toyota’s Special Vehicle Operations Division in Burnaston, Derbyshire carried out the conversion work on the Touring Sports hybrid model.

To ensure the finished vehicle is fit for the job, the Police Authority Specification Corolla was subjected to extensive testing, including the Metropolitan Police’s own rigorous test programme, which it passed with flying colours.

The British-built vehicle is now available to police forces across the UK and two versions are offered – the 1.8-litre Active and the 2.0-litre Icon.

Key features of the police-specification vehicle include: –

Enhanced safety: built-in satellite navigation, parking sensors and a dog guard for the load compartment
Roof-mounted lightbar, exterior and interior illumination
Secondary battery equipment and control systems built to withstand impact forces
Additional features include siren, radio system support and livery options

Richard Kenworthy, TMUK Managing Director, said: “We have worked with all divisions of Toyota in the UK and various constabularies, which has enabled us to build on their feedback and requirements.

“Ensuring that we applied standard Toyota practices for the work means we have been able to deliver a vehicle that meets the police forces’ stringent requirements.

“The adoption of Corolla by the police is testament to the efforts our employees invest in every vehicle that comes off our production line. We are proud that our Corolla is now one of the vehicles of choice for the police.”

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Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid review

We put the PHEV version of Toyota’s funky family car through its paces…

Cards on table time. We’re already fans of the latest Toyota C-HR family crossover. If a car could be judged purely on its styling, it would be best-in-class.

When we first tested the second-generation C-HR in 2023, it was the full hybrid (‘self-charging hybrid’ in Toyota-speak) version.

Now the new C-HR’s appeal has been widened further with the addition of a plug-in hybrid to the line-up.

Before we assess the PHEV, let’s time travel back to 2017 when the first generation ‘Coupe-High Rider’ was launched in the UK.

With its radical looks, it was something of a departure for Toyota which was still selling the conservative Auris and Avensis at the time.

The funky C-HR was a aerodynamic crossover with a low-slung roofline like a coupe. Distinctively styled with a big roof spoiler and sloping rear window, it sold very well but it wasn’t without issues.

The new Toyota C-HR is a looker. A more grown-up version of the outgoing model, it boasts a wider stance and the original’s curves have been replaced by sharper lines and solid surfacing.

Once again there’s a heavily raked tailgate, though this time it features a dual-element rear spoiler and a full-width LED light bar below with an illuminated ‘C-HR’.

At the front, it features the new ‘hammerhead’ face of Toyota SUVs, while the ‘hidden’ raised rear door handles have been replaced by retractable ones, front and rear. Overall build quality, interior materials and technology have also been upgraded.

The plug-in hybrid C-HR is priced from £39,145, which is a jump from the entry-level full hybrid model (£31,290). Additionally, there are three PHEV trim levels – Design, Excel and GR Sport.

It uses the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the most powerful hybrid model. However, it’s paired with a bigger electric motor (161bhp) and larger battery pack (13.6kWh compared to 11.1kWh), boosting total output from 194bhp to 220bhp.

This extra power translates into a swift 0–62mph time of 7.4 seconds, compared to 8.1 seconds for the 2.0-litre hybrid model and 10.2 seconds for the 1.8-litre hybrid model. It’s also worth noting that the C-HR PHEV is front-wheel drive – there is no AWD option.

In theory, the plug-in hybrid is capable of 353.1mpg, while CO2 emissions are a low 19g/km, putting it in the 8% benefit-in-kind company car tax band.

But, of course, it’s the fact that the PHEV has an all-electric driving range of up to 41 miles (more than most rivals) that matters most. If you can charge at home and your commute is short (or you just use your car for short journeys) your trips to the garage could be few and far between.

As with all plug-in hybrids, it’s most economical when it’s not used for long journeys and is kept charged up.

Significantly, Toyota says the C-HR PHEV uses less fuel when running in hybrid mode compared to most competitor plug-ins because the clutch-less dual motor system eliminates friction and wear. We’d need a week or so with the car to be able to comment, but we certainly noticed the EV light regularly popping up on the dash while driving.

First impressions count, and the second-gen Toyota C-HR certainly oozes kerb appeal, especially if you opt for a two-tone paint-job.

In terms of size, its dimensions are almost identical to the Suzuki S-Cross, which makes it a tad smaller than its main competitors (including the Nissan Qashqai), but bigger than cars in the class below (eg Nissan Juke).

The driving position will be on the high side for some, but you soon get used to it because it’s comfortable with a decent amount of support.

There are roomier cabins, not just because the C-HR isn’t as wide as some rivals, but the driver focused set-up with high centre console makes it snug, especially on the passenger side.

The good news is that the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen combined with the driver’s digital display looks the part and works well enough. And mercifully, the C-HR has some physical controls for essentials such as air-conditioning.

There’s reasonable space for passengers at the back, while the cabin as a whole has a classier feel, with more soft-touch surfaces.

Toyota’s also ticked the sustainability box because the seat fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles and there’s animal-free ‘leather’ on the steering wheel.

Load capacity is a modest 310 litres (down from 388 litres in the 1.8 Hybrid), while the 60:40 split rear seats flip to increase cargo volume to 1,076 litres.

Visibility is good ahead, but slightly more challenging behind thanks to those chunky rear pillars and small rear windows. Thankfully, all versions have a reversing camera.

On the road, the C-HR is refined for the most part. Every time you start a journey, it defaults to fully-electric mode and it will continue that way until it’s run out of battery charge.

However, if you’re heavy with your right foot, or your battery is out of charge, the petrol engine will kick in.

Drive smoothly and it’s fine, but if you hustle it the CVT automatic gearbox causes the revs to rise and stay high until you’ve reached your desired speed. The din in the cabin soon settles down, but it puts you off driving anything but sensibly.

That said, it has a supple suspension with only the worst lumps and bumps upsetting the calm progress. So, it’s one of the more comfortable SUVs on the market.

Light steering suits its natural urban habitat well, but the C-HR is at its best cruising along. It would be an exaggeration to call it dynamic on entertaining B-roads, but it’s agile and there are good levels of body control, while grip is decent.

The C-HR flips between electric and engine drive seamlessly, and it’s as close as you can get to driving a 100% electric car when it’s running in EV mode.

The other three modes available are auto EV/HV, HV and charging.

In EV/HV mode the engine will engage when extra power is needed, returning to EV running afterwards.

HV mode helps maintain the battery’s state of charge and is engaged automatically when battery charge runs low, while charging mode can be used when the driver wants to charge the EV battery when driving, using power generated by the engine.

Additionally, there are three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport – plus Custom, which allows the driver to select their preferred powertrain, steering and air conditioning settings.

Finally, it’s always worth remembering that the C-HR comes with a three-year warranty that extends up to 10 years/100,000 miles so long as your car is serviced annually at an authorised Toyota workshop.

Verdict: The eye-catching Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid is easy to drive, comfortable and well equipped, with the potential to be super economical. It may not be the cheapest or most spacious family PHEV, but it’s definitely got that wow factor.

Toyota UK

Revealed: The world’s most popular new car of 2023

Gareth Herincx

4 days ago
Auto News

The Tesla Model Y is on course to take the crown as the world’s best-selling vehicle of last year.

While a small number of countries are yet to release their sales figures for 2023, preliminary data collected by automotive analyst JATO Dynamics indicates that the Model Y is in an unassailable position with 1.23 million cars sold – a 64% increase year-on-year.

“The increase in global sales of the Model Y is unprecedented, particularly for a vehicle in the top ten best-sellers,” said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics. “What Tesla has been able to achieve with the Model Y in such a short space of time is simply remarkable.”

Crucially, it topped sales in both Europe and China, the world’s two largest EV markets. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), more than 456,000 were registered in China alone – an increase of 45% from 2022.

All this means that 2023 will mark the end of Toyota’s recent dominance with the RAV4 and Corolla leading the way. However, both models lack pure electric options, with only hybrid alternatives on offer.

Despite this, the second best-selling vehicle in 2023 is set to be the Toyota RAV4, with 1.07 million registrations, pipping the Corolla in third place (1.01 million).

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Toyota C-HR review

We drive the latest version of Toyota’s popular C-HR family crossover – and it’s a big, bold step-up…

If a car could be judged purely on its styling, the second-generation Toyota C-HR would be best-in-class.

And when you consider that its biggest rivals include the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Skoda Karoq, Seat Ateca and Hyundai Tucson, that’s no mean feat.

But before we weigh up the new C-HR’s pros and cons, let’s go back to 2017 when the first generation ‘Coupe-High Rider’ was launched in the UK.

With its radical looks, it was something of a departure for Toyota which was still selling the conservative Auris and Avensis at the time.

The funky C-HR was a chunky crossover with a low-slung roofline like a coupe. Distinctively styled with a big roof spoiler and sloping rear window, it was well-equipped, but it also wasn’t without its issues.

Fast forward to 2023 and the all-new Toyota C-HR is a looker. A more grown-up version of the outgoing model, it boasts a wider stance and the original’s curves have been replaced by sharper lines and solid surfacing.

Once again there’s a heavily raked tailgate, though this time it features a dual-element rear spoiler and a full-width LED light bar below with an illuminated ‘C-HR’.

At the front, it features the new ‘hammerhead’ face of Toyota SUVs, while the ‘hidden’ raised rear door handles are no more (they’ve been replaced by retractable ones, front and rear). Overall build quality, interior materials and technology have also been upgraded.

Priced from £31,290, the new model launches initially with 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines paired with Toyota’s latest fifth-generation full hybrid technology that ups both power and efficiency. A 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid will arrive in 2024.

The 1.8-litre delivers 138bhp and the 2.0-litre ups power to 194bhp. Official figures put fuel economy at 60.1mpg and 57.6mpg respectively, while CO2 emissions are from 105g/km and 110g/km.

Both engines are front-wheel drive (there’s no AWD option) and a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid (with an EV range of up to 41 miles) will join the C-HR line-up in 2024.

First impressions count, and the second-gen Toyota C-HR certainly oozes kerb appeal, especially if you choose a two-tone paint-job.

The driving position is on the high side for me, but you soon get used to it because it’s comfortable with a decent amount of support.

There are roomier cabins, not just because the C-HR isn’t as wide as some rivals, but the driver focused set-up with high centre console makes it snug, especially on the passenger side.

The good news is that the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (on all but entry trims) combined with the driver’s digital display looks the part and works well enough. And mercifully, the C-HR has some physical controls for essentials such as air-conditioning – unlike some new cars.

There’s reasonable space for passengers at the back, while the cabin as a whole has a classier feel, with more soft-touch surfaces.

Toyota’s also ticked the sustainability box because the seat fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles and there’s animal-free ‘leather’ on the steering wheel.

Load capacity varies between the two engines – 388 litres (1.8) and 364 litres for the 2.0. Again, not class-leading, but adequate. All models come with 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

Visibility is good ahead, but slightly more challenging behind thanks to those chunky rear pillars and small rear windows. Thankfully, all versions have a reversing camera.

The C-HR has a fairly supple suspension and it handles lumps and bumps well. So, it’s one of the more comfortable SUVs on the market.

Light steering suits its natural urban habitat well, but the C-HR is also a pleasant cruiser. It would be an exaggeration to call it dynamic on twistier roads, but there are good levels of body control and decent grip.

We tested both engines (not the GR Sport grade), and both balance performance with economy, delivering 10.2sec and 8.1sec respectively for the 0-62mph sprint.

The issue with both is that there’s a CVT automatic gearbox which causes the revs to rise and stay high until you’ve reached your desired speed. The din in the cabin soon settles down, but it puts you off driving anything but smoothly.

Interestingly, the more powerful 2.0-litre hybrid engine is a little more refined, so manages to iron out the worst of the CVT better.

The C-HR slips between electric and engine modes seamlessly, and can be driven along for short distances using the electric motor alone, so all in all, the claimed economy figures are very achievable.

Verdict: The cool new Toyota C-HR is a real step-up from the first-generation model. Easy to drive, economical, well equipped and classy, it certainly stands out from the crowd.

Toyota UK