TOYOTA AURIS HATCHBACK REVIEW

Performance

2 out of 5 stars

The Auris range offers the choice of two petrol engines, one diesel and a petrol-electric hybrid. The entry-level 1.33 petrol has 99bhp and is hardly quick, but the 130bhp 1.6 petrol doesn’t really feel that much quicker. The 89bhp 1.4 diesel manages over 60mpg, and that good economy is the only real reason to buy it. The hybrid rewards a relaxed driving style, but is potentially the smoothest and most frugal Yaris of all.
Ride & Handling

2 out of 5 stars

The Auris does everything it should, but it’s not as accomplished as the best cars in this class. It grips and handles well enough, but it’s not as precise as a Ford Focus through corners and the steering has a detached feel. Similarly, while the ride isn’t terrible, it doesn’t smother bumps as well as many rivals.
Refinement

2 out of 5 stars

The Auris really should be more refined. The petrol engines are noisy at motorway speeds, for example, although they rev smoothly enough. By contrast, the diesel is quiet when cruising, but gruff around town, whereas the hybrid is near-silent as long as you take a gentle approach. Wind noise is excessive on the motorway, though, and coarse surfaces and bumps kick up too much noise in the cabin.

Buying & Owning

3 out of 5 stars

Toyota has priced the Auris aggressively and it undercuts many of its rivals, especially if you choose the TR models. Dealers won’t give you much of discount from the list price, but most of the engines are competitive for fuel economy and emissions, and the Auris holds its value reasonably well. The hybrid falls into the lowest company car tax band and is exempt from road tax, but is quite expensive to buy.
Quality & Reliability

3 out of 5 stars

We have no doubt that the Auris will stand the test of time well, but it also has the added reassurance of a five-year warranty. However, while the interior feels durable, the materials are not as classy or appealing as a VW Golf’s or Vauxhall Astra’s. Plus, while Toyotas usually have exceptional reliability, the Auris' was rated as below average in the 2011 JD Power survey.
Safety & Security

4 out of 5 stars

Every Auris comes with front, side and curtain airbags, as well as an airbag that protects the driver’s knees. However, stability control isn’t standard on any version – you have to add it as an option across the range, and that’s a big omission. All versions have deadlocks and marked parts to guard against theft.

Behind The Wheel

3 out of 5 stars

The Auris’s unusual dash is designed to put every control within easy reach, and it works well. There’s storage behind the bridged centre console, and there’s a wide range of seating adjustment. However, the stereo controls could be bigger and easier to read, and the gearlever sits awkwardly high.
Space & Practicality

4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to its totally flat floor, the cabin copes with three rear passengers better than most of its rivals. There’s ample head- and legroom everywhere, too, and the rear seat backrests recline to allow a relaxed seating position. Although the boot is shorter and narrower than some rivals', it’s still a generous size and shape - except in the hybrid, which has to house a large battery pack.
Equipment

3 out of 5 stars

In order of plushness, the trim levels are T2, TR and SR, with the most basic unique to the 1.3 petrol engine and the SR available only with the 1.6. T2 models miss out on a few desirable features, but do get air conditioning, electric front windows, remote locking and a CD player; TR models add alloy wheels and climate control, while SR gives the car a more sporty look. Hybrid models, meanwhile, have a unique two-tier trim structure.