Review of the new Toyota Auris 1.6 Dual VVT-i

Toyota has always played a strong hand worldwide in the family hatchback sector but has never been amongst the leading volume sellers in the UK. They're aiming for that to change with the Auris, something which depends largely on the appeal of big selling variants like the 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i petrol model we're looking at here. The idea with this engine is to offer a reasonable turn of speed and surprising economy. It's a combination that makes more sense than the diesel alternative if more modest mileages are covered.

The Auris' 1.6-litre engine features Dual VVT-i, a system that utilises computerised timing control of both inlet and exhaust valves. In theory, this promotes torque at low revs and power at high engine speeds. So what's it like in practice? Let's just say that this system does better in terms of power than torque. Pull away from a junction in the Auris and it feels a little lethargic. It's only when you get the engine singing that it really comes alive. It's a little perplexing because the peak torque figure of 157Nm is better than an equivalent 1.6-litre Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Megane, or Vauxhall Astra.

Consult the handbook and you'll realise that while these cars make their peak torque figure around 4,000rpm, the Auris achieves it a 5,200rpm. You really need to rev this engine hard to make progress. et a little brutal with the loud pedal and the 122bhp Auris can move though, notching off the sprint to 60mph in 10.2 seconds and it'll keep going to 116mph. Ride, handling and road-holding are all above class average, but the steering, while accurate, doesn't impart much in the way of feedback, robbing you of confidence when you're really pushing on.

Rather than anything extreme, the Auris' exterior shape is 'evolutionary'. A less charitable verdict would be unadventurous. If Toyota really wanted to position the Auris as a different and higher quality car than the Corolla, step one should be to ensure it doesn't look broadly similar in dimension to that car. Yet despite the neater touches, well, it does. While Toyota senior suits talk about J-factor, vibrant clarity and emotional identity, most of us think it represents a missed opportunity.

"Ride, handling and road-holding are all above class average"

The cabin has been smartened up with a clearer dash design and OPTITRON instruments but materials quality is slightly hit and miss. There's also a significant lack of oddments stowage space. For a car that namechecks the Volkswagen Golf amongst its key rivals, the Auris is more than a little behind the curve here. On the plus side, longer overhangs offer significantly better luggage capacity (354 litres) than the old Corolla and despite the wheelbase being the same, some clever packaging sees rear legroom increase. Compared to the Corolla, the Auris is 40mm longer and 50mm wider. One particularly neat design detail is the low door profiles which help to reduce the visual effect of tallness.

The 1.6-litre Dual VVT-i engine is slotted into five different mainstream trim grades, T2, TR, T3, SR and T Spirit - and is available with either a three or five door body style. As you'd expect from Toyota, standard equipment levels are excellent. The TR looks an especially good buy, with the Auris 1.6 TR three-door getting 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and chrome detailing.

Toyota also offers three option packs for the Auris; Style, Protection and Tech. The range-topping T Spirit model is particularly well-appointed, with dusk-sensing headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control (with a handy speed limiter function for when the route is festooned with GATSOs), dual zone air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels and a Smart Entry and Start system. Coming in at just over £15,000, this model is a cut above the class average in terms of a proper big-car feel.

The way that the Dual VVT-i 1.6-litre engine requires a conscious effort and a big dose of revs to drive it hard may please or annoy buyers in equal measure. To be fair, at all other times, it defaults into a relaxed mode that's reasonably fuel efficient, helping it to a combined fuel economy figure of 39.8mpg. While some rivals will better this, the margins aren't great. The engine is again in the midfield in terms of emissions, the 166g/km figure being better than a Golf but worse than a Focus. Again, not much in it.

There's no doubt that the Toyota Auris 1.6-litre VVT-i covers a lot of bases very well. Not only is it spacious, but it's also well-built, good value, well-equipped and inexpensive to run. Where it falls down is in not offering any sort of sense of occasion. If Toyota has set out to endow the Auris with the personality the Corolla always lacked, it's a singular failure. Whilst there is much to admire, the Auris isn't easy to get excited about.

But perhaps that's the point. The formula that worked so well around the world is being repeated. A reliable jack of all trades may be what the Auris boils down to, but in many markets that's just the ticket. One suspects British buyers will want more. Toyota can't be castigated for not wanting to tamper with a winning formula but on these shores at least, this Auris will be playing to a tough crowd.

TOP 5 AURIS DEALS

The results below show the top AURIS deals on buyacar

Toyota Auris 1.6 V-Matic TR 5dr Hatchback
Price £9,040 Read Auris Reviews	Save £6,055
Toyota Auris 1.33 Dual VVTi TR 5dr Hatchback
Price £10,040 Read Auris Reviews	Save £6,685
Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D TR 5dr MM Diesel Hatchback
Price £15,961 Read Auris Reviews	Save £2,824
Toyota Auris 1.6 V-Matic TR 5dr MM Hatchback
Price £10,340 Read Auris Reviews	Save £7,600
Toyota Auris 1.6 V-Matic SR 5dr Hatchback
Price £10,540 Read Auris Reviews	Save £5,560
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT AURIS DEALS