When driver's deceleration intention is detected during traveling by a motor generator with an engine being stopped, a clutch is engaged to start the engine, and thereafter disengaged. When an engine speed after engine start is lower than a reference rotational speed being an input shaft rotational speed produced by driving force reversely transmitted from drive wheels, the engine speed is increased to a target rotational speed lower than the reference rotational speed. When the engine speed reaches the target rotational speed, output from the engine is decreased and the clutch is reengaged. Thus, while engine stall when activating the engine brake, which is due to the engine speed too low after engine start, is avoided by increase in the engine speed, the clutch is reengaged earlier so as to activate the engine brake fully, generating deceleration feeling the driver expects.