Auris ready to shake off also-ran tag

WHAT do Toyota have to do to get you interested in buying an Auris?

Make it better to drive? They did that in 2012, at the same time making it more pleasing on the eye, better value for money, more efficient and with build quality improved.

That ought to have been enough to propel Toyota’s Focus rival from also-ran to there or thereabouts and, objectively speaking, the Auris was an impressive all-rounder.

Thing is, nobody here really took it that seriously, despite it being built right here in Britain at Toyota’s award-winning Burnaston facility.

Undeterred, Toyota has set about improving the Auris still further, revealing a revised line-up that aims to ensure, slowly but surely, this car will get its due.

The key news engine-wise is that the powertrain choice is down to just two units, both petrol-powered. One is the 1.2T direct injection turbo-charged engine, which develops 115PS and is available with either a six-speed manual or continuously-variable auto transmission.

Almost three-quarters of Auris customers though, opt for the 1.8litre petrol/electric hybrid version.

This hybrid engine has long been one of the smoothest in its class and, with the addition of the electric motor, it’s also reasonably brisk.

Working only via auto transmission, it’ll make 62mph in 10.9 seconds on the way to 112mph.

Even base “Icon” variants are very well equipped, featuring 16-inch alloys, a reversing camera, front fog lights, power windows, six-speaker audio with DAB, automatic air conditioning and a shark fin antenna, all as standard.

There’s a twin-clock binnacle with a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen and there’s the Toyota Safety Sense package which provides a Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist.

“Icon Tech” models match this specification and get cruise control and Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding navigation and connectivity functions to the multimedia system.

The “Design” grade increases the style factor with 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, black side sills, Alcantara upholstery, sports front seats and rear privacy glass, together with cruise control. It also increases the convenience factor with the addition of front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto-folding door mirrors, dusk-sensing headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

Prices start at £22,500 for the five-door hatch. Add £1,100 for the ‘Touring Sports’ estate.