Insurance Group: 16
MPG: 42.8
CO2: 154
0-62 Mph: 10.0 secs
BHP: 130 BHP
Range: 518 miles
PROS: The Auris has a good level of standard kit and can seat five passengers in comfort.
CONS: The engine needs to be worked hard to give its best and the Auris lags behind its rivals.
The Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic does everything it claims to do yet still doesn’t match up to some of the other cars in its class. It’s certainly not as precise as some of the other vehicles on the market and the steering has a slightly detached feel. The ride is by no means terrible but bumps and uneven surfaces can still be felt in the cabin.
Handling allows for mild entertainment on a twisty road, however the Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic 130bhp doesn’t feel noticeably quicker than the entry-level 1.33 petrol.
The Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic's 1.6-litre petrol engine delivers 130bhp and 118 lb-ft of torque, which means it requires a little bit of a push to reach its top speed of 121mph. This can however be done in 10 seconds, which is a lot quicker than the other models in the range.
At motorway speeds the Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic is a little on the noisy side, wind noise is excessive and coarse roads and bumps can be heard within the cabin.
The looks of the Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic are, in fact, very similar to those of the old Corolla.
The styling doesn’t offer too much pizzazz and the design is quite uninspiring. Toyota has certainly spent more time on the reliability and functionality of this vehicle than they have on the looks of it.
The interior on the other hand is bold in design and offers both three-dimensional dials and a freestanding, arching central control. Here you will find the gearstick and handbrake. The positioning of both takes a little while to get used to, drivers may also find that they keep knocking their knees of the centre console.
The trip computer is difficult side to operate and the stereo doesn’t offer the best quality in terms of sound.
Equipment that comes as standard includes Bluetooth, CD player, MP3 connectivity, immobilizer and rear parking sensors, alloy wheels, climate control, electric mirrors, electric windows and cruise control.
Every SR comes with front, side and curtain airbags as well as an additional airbag, which is there to protect the driver’s knees. The Toyota SR 1.6 V-Matic 5dr has received an overall Euro NCAP rating of 5 stars. ESP is also an option on all models.
Extra height allows passengers to experience an adequate amount of cabin space, which makes long journeys less daunting. Both rear legroom and boot space match up and there is certainly enough room to fit in both the passengers and the shopping comfortably. Boot space measures 761-litres with the seats down and 354-litres with the seats up. Even with five in the car, the Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic 5dr still feels quite roomy, unlike many of its rivals.
It should also be very reliable; Toyota have an astonishing record when it comes to reliability and Auris is supplied with an excellent five year/100,000 mile warranty.
The Toyota Auris SR 1.6 V-Matic is priced at £17,610 which is very reasonable for a top-of-the-line model.
The Auris should return 42.8mpg (combined) which is pretty average for a 1.6-litre petrol and CO2 emissions of 154g/km mean it falls under a relatively low tax band: G. Those who want rock-bottom running costs should, however, consider the diesel.
Overall the Auris is a great vehicle that is set to sell well. It’s civilised, capable and sensibly priced. On top of being inexpensive to run, it should also hold its value well.
The more inexpensive models in the range offer a lot more value for money, so if you’re not too fussed about the sportier look, we suggest you’d do well to save a little money.
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