Just to update anyone asking a similar question, test drove an 07 ES with leather model on Friday and I was so chuffed with it I take delivery on Tuesday!
Test drive was superb, the reviews as I expected exaggerate every aspect of the car.
The
CVT causing the engine to rev is noticeable but no more than a slight whistle as the engine gets into the peak performance band. The jerk when pulling away from the lights as the engine kicks back in is no more than a very slight judder, hardly worth changing car over considering you've just sat at a standstill using no petrol! It's not quick but it's not slow at all either. The interior is very modern looking but I personally wouldn't say cheap or tacky as some reviews say. The leather was very nice and the car as a whole was very driver focussed and comfortable.
And finally, even with no experience of driving a hybrid and a selection of A & B Roads and Motorway for 30 odd minutes I got 45MPG average so don't think 50 is going to be difficult at all and considering it will only be £56 per month on company car tax I can't believe more people aren't choosing them.
I'll post a review after I've had it a while as there's a real shortage of real world reviews on the web.
Cheers, Andy