Used Toyota Auris Hatchback 2007 - 2013 review
Capable, but disappointing follow-up to the excellent Corolla
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What's the used Toyota Auris like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 9 March 2010
How we test cars
What's the used Toyota Auris like?
When compared with the Corolla - the car it replaced - the Auris feels rather bland. It's not too bad in any particular area, but in totality, it's a long way behind class leaders.
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Overview
Capable, but disappointing follow-up to the excellent Corolla
Pros
- The Toyota Auris is practical, comfortable and well built
Cons
- The Toyota is let down by its uninspiring dynamics and design
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Toyota Auris
2.2 D-4D SR 180 5dr
£999
Toyota Auris
1.4 D-4D Icon Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,150
Toyota Auris
1.6 T3 Multimode 5dr
£1,295
Toyota Auris
1.4 VVT-i T2 5dr
£1,350
Toyota Auris
1.6 VVT-i TR 5dr
£1,350
Toyota Auris
1.6 V-Matic SR Euro 5 5dr
£1,499
Toyota Auris
2.2 D-4D T180 5dr
£1,590
Toyota Auris
1.33 VVT-i TR (s/s) 5dr
£1,599
Toyota Auris
1.6 V-Matic TR 5dr
£1,600
See all available cars
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It drives decently enough, with good grip in corners and limited body roll, but the steering is vague and the ride fails to smooth out the poorest road surfaces. It's the same story with wind-, engine- and road noise: it's not terrible, but you would expect better.
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The Auris is spacious inside for a small family car and there's decent legroom for passengers in the rear middle seat. There's also reasonable headroom, and the rear seats can be reclined. The boot is smaller than you'd expect, but is still a reasonable size and shape.
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
How much does cost to run a Toyota Auris?
The 1.4-litre isn't as cheap to run as you might imagine. With an official average of 40.9mpg and emissions of 163g/km it's eclipsed by the newer 1.33-litre with 48.7mpg and 135g/km. Even the 1.6-litre gives it a run for its money, at 39.8mpg and CO2 of 166g/km.
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The 1.4-litre diesel is the champion of cheap motoring, with an average of 56.5mpg and emissions of 132g/km, while the 2.0-litre does 52.3mpg and emits 144g/km. The T180 manages 47mg and 158mpg.
Insurance is affordable with the range starting at group 10 and rising to group 13 for the mainstream models. The most powerful models make it to group 18. Servicing costs are also reasonable.
Tips & Advice
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Our recommendations
Which used Toyota Auris should I buy?
Originally, there was a 96bhp 1.4-litre petrol, but that was replaced with a 99bhp 1.33-litre at the end of 2008. The latter comes with an engine stop-start system to help achieve an average of 48.7mpg. The 122bhp 1.6-litre petrol is noticeably more powerful and more prolific on the used market. Of the diesels, the 151bhp 1.4-litre unit is smooth and efficient, but not so easy to find as the 124bhp 2.0-litre. There's also a 2.2-litre T180 model with 175bhp.
The entry-level T2 model gets air-conditioning, front electric windows, remote locking and a CD player, while the T3 has alloys, climate and cruise controls. TR models add Bluetooth and a CD multichanger, while SR gives the Auris a sporty edge. T-Spirit models add a few extras, but nothing you couldn't do without.
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Go for the five-door version rather than the three-door car. They're easier to find, more practical and not much more expensive.
The MultiMode automatic gearbox - available on the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel - is rare on the used market, and not popular with owners.
(http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/Toyota/Auris)**
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
How reliable is the Toyota Auris ?
Toyota Auris
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Toyota Auris
2.2 D-4D SR 180 5dr
£999
Toyota Auris
1.4 D-4D Icon Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,150
Toyota Auris
1.6 T3 Multimode 5dr
£1,295
Toyota Auris
1.4 VVT-i T2 5dr
£1,350
Toyota Auris
1.6 VVT-i TR 5dr
£1,350
Toyota Auris
1.6 V-Matic SR Euro 5 5dr
£1,499
Toyota Auris
2.2 D-4D T180 5dr
£1,590
Toyota Auris
1.33 VVT-i TR (s/s) 5dr
£1,599
Toyota Auris
1.6 V-Matic TR 5dr
£1,600
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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