One of the world’s top selling cars has made its way back to the UK as Tom Wiltshire reports

turbocharged petrol remains at the bottom of the range, paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. Both hybrids are Cvt-only, and the range kicks off with the same 1.8-litre powertrain as found in the current Prius. The 2.0-litre unit is far better, with its modest power increase making for a far more relaxed drive. Both hybrid powertrains are superb in town conditions. Previous Auris owners complained about rear legroom, so it’s been extended to equal anything in the class bar the Skoda Octavia. Elsewhere, the car takes its fundamentals from the new Rav4, including the partially digital instrument panel and the eight-inch centre touchscreen. As with most Toyotas, everything feels built to last. It starts over £21,000 – slightly expensive by the class standards on paper, but not when you look at the equipment bundled in. Chief among this is the inclusion of a Safety Sense 2 pack on all models, which brings pre-collision alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, auto high beam and road sign assist. You’d need to pay extra for these on all but topspec models of the Focus or Golf. Toyota’s taken what the old car did well - ease of driving, low cost of ownership and a reputation for reliability - and added a few key improvements that should attract plenty of new buyers. The high-powered hybrid powertrain is something of a novelty but it’s an excellent addition to the range, while generous equipment levels and safety kit are sure to be key selling points.