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Toyota Auris 2010 models road test report

2010 models

Launched in 2007 as the successor to the long-serving, record-selling Corolla, for 2010 the Auris has been restyled inside and out with revised suspension, newer Optimal Drive engines and spec enhancements. Although the Auris has been selling well in Europe, it’s far from a common sight on UK roads. Maybe the 2010 model will change that.

Road Test Reports Says 4.5 star rating
A front-facing image of the Toyota Auris 2010 models

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TOM SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

A Hybrid Drive powertrain will join the range in the Summer of 2010, but for now two petrol and one diesel engines are available: a 100bhp 1.33 Dual VVT-I with Stop & Start, a 130bhp 1.6 Valvematic and an 89bhp 1.4 D-4D. The little 1.33-litre engine (0-62 in 13.1secs, 109mph max) is probably better suited to service in the smaller Yaris, Aygo or iQ models as it can struggle to maintain speed and needs much revving. The 1.4 D-4D (0-62 in 11.9, 109mph) churns out the most torque of the three (205Nm), but it’s the smooth and refined petrol 1.6 (0-62 in 10secs, 121mph) that is best-suited to Auris duties.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

Although the 2010 Auris has had its electric power steering and suspension fine-tuned to better cope with European roads and driver preferences, without driving the old and the new models back-to-back it’s hard to separate the two in this respect. The Auris still rides very comfortably (at least on the better-surfaced Spanish roads on which I drove) and it handles tidily too, so I’ll stick with what I said of the ’07 model; “the power steering feels precise with the car being quick to respond without undue body roll or other unseemly behaviour. It’s sure-footed, rides comfortably and steers accurately”, but now perhaps a little bit more so.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

I’m writing this in late Feb 2010 after several weeks of a global media storm concerning Toyota’s multiple safety and recall issues, but suffice to say that the British-built Auris models I drove appeared faultless. Furthermore, Toyota has taken noticeable steps to improve the ‘perceived quality’ of the Auris’s interior with soft-touch plastics and more tactile finishes. And let’s not forget that the Toyota/Lexus brands often outperform all others in customer satisfaction surveys and roadside recovery data, and that Toyotas are subject to no more, if as many recalls as other brands. Which isn’t to say the company hasn’t made the odd slip up of late, with a resulting fall in share prices, but the Auris remains a quality product.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

At the time of writing, exact model specifications for the UK market are still to be determined, but the following safety equipment will be standard across the range: driver’s knee airbag, driver and passenger airbags and side airbags, curtain airbags, Isofix child seat mounts, Whiplash Injury Lessening front seats, a Minimum Intrusion Cabin Structure, side impact beams and a head impact protection structure as well as ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. Traction and stability control will be available on some models. The current Auris already holds the full five Euro NCAP stars for occupant protection while security measures include remote central double locking and engine immobiliser with transponder key.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 5 stars

The Auris’s front seats are both supportive and especially comfortable, and there’s plenty of space all around too – including ample head and legroom for taller rear seat passengers. The bridged centre console not only looks neat but allows the handbrake, gear stick and climate controls to be a little closer to the driver than they’d ordinarily be. This also allows for a handy oddments tray just beneath the bridge. The 354-litre boot is capacious and well-shaped, but the split/fold rear seat backs fold forward to allow a max 761-litre boot capacity.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

The Auris range starts at £14,463 for the 1.33 3-dr and rises to £17,745 for the D-4D 5-dr with MultiMode transmission. If you wanted to spend more then black leather with white stitching, parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition and music streaming will all be available over and above the generous standard specification. Although the 1.33’s 48.7 combined mpg figure beats the 1.6’s 42.8mpg (manual), in the real world I’d expect the 1.6 to at least equal the 1.33’s fuel economy. Those who do a high mileage will appreciate the 1.4 D-4D’s impressive 60.1mpg, along with CO2 at 125g/km – tax band D. So, although the revised Auris deserves to sell well I doubt its exterior styling enhancements, most noticeably the wider front grille, will help it along that much.

Submitted: 01/03/2010 08:52:12

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