Auris Touring hybrid raises bar with Icon

The Toyota Auris Touring Sports is the estate version of Toyota’s practical family hatchback — and like all Auris models, it’s been much improved of late.

This version boasts a smarter look, impressive safety provision and lots of equipment — and it’s still very practical, with a decent 530-litre boot that extends to 1,658-litres with the seats folded.

The key news engine-wise is that the powertrain choice has been reduced to just two units, both petrolpowered. One of them is Toyota’s revvy 1.2T direct injection turbocharged unit, 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 engine.

In recent times, the driver appeal of this variant has been increased with powertrain retuning that delivers an improved, natural driving experience with no compromise in the highly efficient performance. The brand’s engineers have secured a closer alignment between the increase in engine and vehicle speeds, creating a more linear acceleration feel as the driver applies the throttle.

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.

The Auris hybrid’s suspension has been softened in recent times, but that’s only because the chassis is reasonably stiff and the suspension components pretty light.

This combination means that you’ll get a decent ride, with handling that’ll also probably be a little better than you’d expect.

The price of an entry-level Icon starts at about £23,600, which makes this estate variant about £1,100 pricier than the equivalent hatch model. Plusher trim levels further up the range include Icon Tech, Design and Excel.

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.

The Toyota Safety Sense package provides a Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist. Icon Tech models match this specification and add cruise control and Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding navigation and connectivity functions to the multimedia system.