In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor that are connected to a driveshaft linked to an axle via a gear mechanism, on condition that an output torque of the motor (previous Tm2*) is not lower than a preset reference output torque Tm2ref (step S190) at a moment of a start requirement of the engine (steps S130 and S180), the drive control of the invention starts the engine (step S220). On conditions that the output torque of the motor (previous Tm2*) is lower than the preset reference output torque Tm2ref (step S190), that a torque demand Tr* is lower than a preset reference torque level Tref (step S200), and that a state of charge SOC of a battery is not lower than a preset reference charge level Sref (step S210), the drive control keeps the engine at a stop (step S140), regardless of the start requirement. This arrangement effectively reduces the potential for backlash or gear rattle in the gear mechanism due to a torque pulsation applied to the driveshaft at a start of the engine.