Toyota Auris 1.6 Dual VVT-i
Toyota has always played a strong hand worldwide in the family hatchback sector but has never been amongst the leading volume sellers in the UK. Theyre aiming for that to change with the Auris, something which depends largely on the appeal of big selling variants like the 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i petrol model were looking at here. The idea with this engine is to offer a reasonable turn of speed and surprising economy.
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The Auris 1.6-litre engine features Dual VVT-i, a system that utilises computerised timing control of both inlet and exhaust valves. In theory, this promotes torque at low revs and power at high engine speeds. So whats it like in practice? Lets just say that this system does better in terms of power than torque.
Pull away from a junction in the Auris and it feels a little lethargic. Its only when you get the engine singing that it really comes alive. Its a little perplexing because the peak torque figure of 157Nm is better than an equivalent 1.6-litre Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Megane, or Vauxhall Astra.
Consult the handbook and youll realise that while these cars make their peak torque figure around 4,000rpm, the Auris achieves it a 5,200rpm. You really need to rev this engine hard to make progress. et a little brutal with the loud pedal and the 122bhp Auris can move though, notching off the sprint to 60mph in 10.2 seconds and itll keep going to 116mph.
Ride, handling and road-holding are all above class average, but the steering, while accurate, doesnt impart much in the way of feedback, robbing you of confidence when youre really pushing on. Rather than anything extreme, the Auris exterior shape is evolutionary. A less charitable verdict would be unadventurous. If Toyota really wanted to position the Auris as a different and higher quality car than the Corolla, step one should be to ensure it doesnt look broadly similar in dimension to that car.
Yet despite the neater touches, well, it does. While Toyota senior suits talk about J-factor, vibrant clarity and emotional identity, most of us think it represents a missed opportunity.
"Ride, handling and road-holding are all above class average"
The cabin has been smartened up with a clearer dash design and OPTITRON instruments but materials quality is slightly hit and miss. Theres also a significant lack of oddments stowage space. For a car that namechecks the Volkswagen Golf amongst its key rivals, the Auris is more than a little behind the curve here. On the plus side, longer overhangs offer significantly better luggage capacity (354 litres) than the old Corolla and despite the wheelbase being the same, some clever packaging sees rear legroom increase.
Compared to the Corolla, the Auris is 40mm longer and 50mm wider. One particularly neat design detail is the low door profiles which help to reduce the visual effect of tallness. The 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i engine is slotted into three different mainstream trim grades, T2, T3 and T Spirit and is available with either a three or five door body style.
Theres also a special edition TR model available from launch designed to appeal to value-conscious private buyers. As youd expect from Toyota, standard equipment levels are excellent. The TR looks an especially good buy, based on T3 trim with added extras but with £1,000 shaved off the price. This means the £12,795 Auris 1.
6 TR three-door gets 16-inch alloy wheels, leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, wheel-mounted audio controls, a six speaker stereo as well as scuff plates on the door sills and extra chrome detailing at the back of the car. Toyota also offers three option packs for the Auris; Style, Protection and Tech. The range-topping T Spirit model is particularly well-appointed, with dusk-sensing headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control (with a handy speed limiter function for when the route is festooned with GATSOs), dual zone air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels and a Smart Entry and Start system. Coming in at under £15,000, this model is a cut above the class average in terms of a proper big-car feel.
The way that the Dual VVT-i 1.6-litre engine requires a conscious effort and a big dose of revs to drive it hard may please or annoy buyers in equal measure. To be fair, at all other times, it defaults into a relaxed mode thats reasonably fuel efficient, helping it to a combined fuel economy figure of 39.8mpg.
While some rivals will better this, the margins arent great. The engine is again in the midfield in terms of emissions, the 166g/km figure being better than a Golf but worse than a Focus. Again, not much in it. Theres no doubt that the Toyota Auris 1.
6-litre VVT-i covers a lot of bases very well. Not only is it spacious, but its also well-built, good value, well-equipped and inexpensive to run. Where it falls down is in not offering any sort of sense of occasion. If Toyota has set out to endow the Auris with the personality the Corolla always lacked, its a singular failure.
Whilst there is much to admire, the Auris isnt easy to get excited about. But perhaps thats the point. The formula that worked so well around the world is being repeated. A reliable jack of all trades may be what the Auris boils down to, but in many markets thats just the ticket.
One suspects British buyers will want more. Toyota cant be castigated for not wanting to tamper with a winning formula but on these shores at least, this Auris will be playing to a tough crowd.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota Auris 1.6 Dual VVT-i range
PRICES: £12,795-£14,995 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5E-6E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 166g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.2s / Max Speed 116mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31.4 (extra urban) 47.9 (combined) 39.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Nine airbags / ABS /EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] length/width/height mm 4220/1760/1515
