Understated appeal of leading Auris

(10 votes, average: 4.2 out of 5)

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The New Toyota Auris SR 180 might occupy pole position in Toyota Auris range but would you recognise one if it passed you?

The little red badge at the rear might just give it away, but this is Toyota’s equivalent of tromp l’oeil exquisite subtlety that easily fools the eye into beleiving it is nothing out of the Auris ordinary.

Grantedm theres lowered suspension a read spoiler bigger 17 inch alloy wheels and privacy glass at the back, but its another of those flagships that dispense with the flag waving.

This fairly laid back image now does wonders for hot hatchback sales, with only one or two manufacturers pandering to the younger market by offering the odd gaudy colour choice.

Toyota doesnt beleive the future of family sized flyers is bright orange, though, and offers more sedate paint finishes.

The decision to employ a diesel engine to power the new Toyota Auris SR 180 pitches the C-segment car as a warm hatch and not an outright GT Sytled tyre burner, and that is reflected in performance figures of 8.1 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint, and a top speed of 130mph.

It does rise to the quick handling challenge you can never fault the reactions or responses of any modified small Toyota and offers and exceptional driving experience.

With maximum torque from the four-cylinder, 175bhp engine available across the 2,000 to 2,600 rpm range, its best performance comes when pushing it through the many bends found on B-roads.

The Toyota Auris SR 180 does 45.6 miles the official average on every gallon of diesel, and that figure easily beats a 2.0 litre petrol rival by 10mpg.

Thanks to 164g per Kilometre CO2 emissions, the benefit in kind levy for company buyers of this £18.5k five door car is set at just 19 percent.

The three door SR 180 is £500 cheaper but theres a specious back seat so five doors are more in keeping with the practical aspect of the Auris.

Baggage space is above average at 354 litres and with the rear bench folded there’s a useful, if not class beating 761 litres.

To help shoe horn the 2,231cc engine and six speed manual gearbox into the cars modest 4.22 metre length Toyota has utilised a sizeable centre console, which can feel a little restrictive for taller drivers.

The handbrake and gear lever sit atop it, and require much less effort to use. The instrimentation follows the conventional, straight ahead layoyt, and the cabin has a quality fir and finish.

It isnt an overly sporting interior, but the seats do hold you in place and there’s excellent levels of active and passive safety to protect the occupants.

Stability and traction onctrol are standard on the SR180, and, like all other Toyota Auris models, this Toyota gets nine airbags.

With the new Auris SR a stand alone trim level it is centred heaviliy on T spirit specificaiton, adding the extra safety control systems and body styling treatments mentioned earlier, plus smoked glass headlamps.

As in a Toyota Spirit theres automatic functions for lights and wipers, cruise control, a smart entry/ignition set up and full map satelite navigation.

Plenty of kit then with Toyota understanding the styling case rather nicely for its leadin Auris light.