Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Auris

First impressions don’t always count! We weren’t big fans of the Toyota Auris when it arrived on our fleet. but we’ve stuck with it, and it’s now proving itself to be a thoroughly dependable family car.

Pros
  • Economy. Fuel consumption is first-class. The Auris gobbles up the motorway miles at nearly 50mpg. It has never proved particularly thirsty on my low-speed urban commute, either.<BR><BR>Reliability. Dull, I know, but I can’t help being impressed that after nearly a year of family life, nothing inside the car has snapped, broken, been faulty or given up the ghost.
Cons
  • Visibility. Large, angled A-pillars obscure the driver’s view. The problem is even worse if you’re as tall as me.<BR><BR>Styling. Is it wrong to want a bit of excitement in life? The Auris really could look sharper.
Find your Toyota Auris
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

A great way to judge a car’s desirability is to see how often others want to grab the keys!

Like the plain-looking girl at a party, our Auris five-door hasn’t exactly been inundated with suitors on the Auto Express staff since it joined the fleet. Yet if people could see beyond the dull exterior, they might be able to judge the Toyota on ability rather than appearance.

First of all, fuel consumption is excellent. The 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine, which I described in my first report on the car (Issue 950) as noisy and unrefined, has been delivering 47.4mpg of late. Not bad, especially when the bike rack I fitted has done little for the aerodynamics.

Second, the Auris is spacious. The distance between the driver and the windscreen is huge, and this also gives you a feeling of security. As I am 187cm tall, the steeply angled A-pillars which create this roominess tend to obscure my view. But both my children have plenty of space in the back, although I still think the boot could be more generous.

Third, the Toyota is dependable. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. That is as it should be, but you’d be amazed how many things can drop off cars after as little as a month on the road!

So the Auris has been reliable, versatile and cheap to run. But what’s surprised me most is that I’ve found it enjoyable to drive. As you read this, I’m on a family holiday. We may be driving through the Yorkshire Dales or on a day trip. The children are playing (or fighting) in the back and a couple of bikes are strapped to the rack.

People might not give us a second glance, but I am always confident that the Auris will get us safely wherever we want to go. And I also appreciate that first impressions don’t always count!

Skip advert
Advertisement
Creative director

​​Darren looks after Auto Express magazine, planning new content, overseeing the design, layout and photography, and managing the production team. He has been working on Auto Express for more than 30 years under the ownership of United News and Media, Dennis Publishing, Autovia and Carwow.

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,922
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,200
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £8,595
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,040 off RRP*Used from £12,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars
Render of the Audi A3 e-tron - front static

New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars

Audi has confirmed it’s bringing a posh all-electric take on the MEB platform to market, and in good time
News
18 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025