For those of you that don’t know, the Toyota Auris Touring Sports is an estate version of the popular hatchback model.
It’s built in Japan and the United Kingdom. The Auris is in its second generation and is proving a hit among new and used car buyers.
So, what is the Toyota Auris Touring Sports like to drive? Does it offer the right features, comfort and fuel economy we’d expect for such a vehicle? Keep reading to find out what the car has to offer!
Engine Choice
There are just four engines to choose from: two petrol units, a diesel and a hybrid. The specs are as follows:
- 1.33 Dual VVTi. Petrol, 97 brake horsepower, 0-60 mph in 12.8 seconds. Fuel economy of 51 miles per gallon combined, CO2 emissions of 130 g/km;
- 1.6 V-Matic. Petrol, 130 brake horsepower, 0-60 mph in 10.2 seconds. Fuel economy of 46 miles per gallon combined, CO2 emissions of 140 g/km;
- 1.4 D-4D. Diesel, 88 brake horsepower, 0-60 mph in 12.6 seconds. Fuel economy of 67 miles per gallon combined, CO2 emissions of 109 g/km; and
- 1.8 VVTi Hybrid. Petrol, 134 brake horsepower, 0-60 mph in 10.8 seconds. Fuel economy of 76 miles per gallon combined, CO2 emissions of 85 g/km.
It goes without saying that the best power plant to choose is the 1.8-litre hybrid unit. Of course, if you want a cheaper but frugal model, one with the 1.4-litre diesel is the next best option.
I recommend the six-speed manual transmissions. Few people will seldom get used to the CVT transmission Toyota insists on using for their automatics. The high revs in each gear will annoy many a motorist!
On the Road
I borrowed a demonstrator Auris Touring Sports model from Inchcape Toyota. As you might expect from a Toyota, the handling is quite smooth on the road. It has a soft suspension setup and lightweight power steering.
There’s little body roll when cornering at speed. Many similar estate cars I’ve driven in the past were poor performers in the handling department!
Equipment
What you get as standard on the Toyota Auris Touring Sports is quite impressive. The base model “Active” comes with climate control, LED headlights and stability control.
The “Icon” is the next trim level up. With that, you get 16-inch alloys, DAB digital radio and an infotainment system. You even get a rear-view camera as standard too!
Next, there’s the “Sport” trim. Highlights include 17-inch alloys, sports interior and rear privacy glass. The range topper is the “Excel.” Standard features include dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. You also get automatic headlights and wipers. The 1.6-litre model also gets cruise control.
One can also specify a raft of options on brand new models. For example, you can pay extra for satellite navigation on the Sport and Excel models. Other extra features include Park Assist and a panoramic roof, dubbed “SkyView.”
Overall, the Toyota Auris Touring Sports offers plenty of good features and driver refinement.
