Toyota Auris - Pictures

RideThe Auris rides well and makes for a relaxing motorway cruiser, helped by the lack of wind and engine noise. It’s also confident over uneven and rough surfaces. It’s a shame that it’s let down by vague steering, t

InteriorToyota has unsuccessfully tried to be brave with its cabin design. The plastic on the centre console feels cheap, as do the heater and stereo controls. We’re not convinced by the handbrake’s unusual pull-back button

Rear spaceBeing the shortest car here, legroom in the back is limited. But it is the only car tested with a totally flat floor, helping foot space. It can sit three people comfortably, while head and shoulder room are good.

StorageThere’s very little storage, even with the large twin glovebox, and the central cubby is placed too far back. While the floating console is stylish, the stowage underneath is tricky to access.

Production Toyota’s 580-acre site at Burnaston produces the Avensis saloon and estate alongside the new Auris. The first car, a Carina E, drove off the production line on 16 December 1992, and the site now assembles more than 280