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Our Score:
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Styling & Design
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Score:
6/10
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The all-new Auris finally kills off the Corolla hatchback (Ireland gets the new Corolla saloon, however) and while it’s prettier than its predecessor but not the funk-fest we had been expecting. The three-door looks a little better but it's still a pretty bland thing. Solid effort, but no classic.
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Engine Spec
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Score:
7/10
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The 1.4 is competent but doesn't like to be worked hard. The 1.6 is no smoother at least it’s reasonably quick. The 1.4 D4-D is slower off the line but a fine cruiser. The 2.0 diesel is quick and more refined but pointless in Ireland, while the 177bhp 2.2 D4-D is a genuine belter!
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Performance
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Score:
7/10
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The 1.4 is slow: 0-100km/h in 13.0 secs & 175 km/h all out. The 1.6 is noticably quicker (0-100 in 10.4 secs) but while the 1.4 D-4D is sluggish on paper it’s a better all-rounder. The 2.0 D-4D is quick but 2.2 D-4D is a scorcher: 0-100 in 8.1 sec is nothing special but once rolling it flies.
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Ride & Handling
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Score:
6/10
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The Auris handles with competence and does try to communicate with the driver somewhat, but it's not the kind of car you'd take out for a drive just for fun. More feel is needed, while the ride is only average. 2.2 D4-D gets multi-link rear suspension and is reasonable fun.
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Interior & Ergonomics
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Score:
6/10
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Toyota's ads focus on the big plastic 'arch' that dominates the centre console, but in actuality it ruins the cabin - it eats space and makes the handbrake awkward to use. The driving position, dials and minor switchgear work fine, but the arch has to go!
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Space & Practicality
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Score:
7/10
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Considering how all over cars in the class are growing it came a surprise to see how tight rear legroom was. Front occupants are well catered for and headroom for all is ample, but rear passengers will feel cramped. The boot's average and rear-seat access in the 3-door is awkward.
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Safety
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Score:
8/10
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The Auris has achieved a 5-Star NCAP score and boasts seven airbags as standard. ISOFIX child seat mounts are also standard but there are no rear belt reminders and ESP isn't offered on more models. It lacks high-tech safety options like active headlamps and lane departure warning too.
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Value & Running Costs
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Score:
8/10
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The Auris is about average in terms of price and specification, but beats its competitors in terms of running costs. It should be cheap to fuel, tax and insure and will depreciate slower than its rivals, too. It's also likely to be more reliable than the other cars in its class.
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Quality & Refinement
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Score:
7/10 |
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Toyota's jazzy new dashboard doesn't feel as solid as the rest of the cabin and there's a lot of scratch-prone painted plastic used as well. The rest of the cabin is extremely well made and the refinement is class competitive, too. Shame about that silly 'arch'.
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Equipment
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Score:
8/10
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The Terra gets 7 airbags, electric front windows and mirrors, remote locks and CD/MP3/WMA player. Strata adds 16-inch alloys and foglights while the Luna adds a leather steering wheel with stereo controls and A/C for reasonable money. ESP isn't offered, however.
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Bad
Not Ford Focus fun
basic base model
Good
Cute
well made
ride
resale
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