Review
Despite the fact that Toyota ditched the biggest selling name in car history - the Corolla - there's not much in the way of revolution from its predecessor, the Auris. This new Focus-sized hatchback was meant to shake off the dull connotations that dogged its forebear, whilst maintaining Toyota's reputation for functionality and quality. But one glance at its inoffensive styling reveals a very conventional-looking car. The Auris is a bit taller than the last, bland Corolla but is otherwise pretty similar in stance and shape. And even the hot hatch of the range, the T180, is a diesel.
In some ways this conservatism is hard to criticise - Toyota's history of mass sales proves that buyers in this class tend to be thrifty - prioritising perceived value-for-money over pizzazz. And the Auris isn't totally lacking in spice; it has quite a bold interior with three-dimensional dials and a free-standing, arching central console on which the gearstick and handbrake are mounted. Innovative? Actually it's annoying, the flying buttress-inspired centre console impedes your knees and the top-button handbrake is awkward to use. This, then, is hardly an evolutionary new breed of family car - but it is still a very capable one.
Under the skin things remain, well, conventional. There's a pair of struts for the front suspension and a torsion beam at the back - except for the T180, which we'll come on to. That puts the standard Auris at an immediate disadvantage to the VW Golf or Ford Focus in terms of chassis sophistication (both rivals have a more complex multi-link rear set up and consequently handle bumps and bends better). Still, the Auris is reasonably athletic and rides supply enough to deal with bumps and twists without fuss. It's also civilised, relatively quiet and rides comfortably on the motorway. The sporty T180 gets firmer, retuned suspension and a more expensive multi-link rear set-up, but the benefits to handling are marginal.
That T180 is the top-of-the-range model - and very pricey to boot - coming as it does with a 2.2 litre diesel, 175bhp and most importantly a very healthy 295lb ft torque punching in at 2900rpm. Further down the order you'll find 2.0 and 1.4 litre diesel engines as well as 1.4 and 1.6 VVT-i petrol motors. All are refined and the 1.4 D4D diesel is notably economical, returning 56.5mpg, though it is underpowered.
Trim levels are simply structured, running from T1 to T3, and most are generously equipped for the money. That said, the lack of an iPod plug-in socket (even as an option) is a notable oversight on a mass-market family car like this and, whilst we're griping, the stereo sounds pretty inadequate, and the trip computer is fiddly to use. Other surprising issues are with some cheap-feel cabin materials, particularly around the glovebox. And that's not really on - especially from the world's most profitable car manufacturer.
Overall the Auris is certainly a good car and will sell in big numbers. It's civilised, capable, sensibly priced, cheap to run and should hold its value well. Perhaps its most serious flaw is that, if you're a keen driver, the Ford Focus or VW Golf would be more fun to own, and they're better finished too.
