Insurance Group: 10
MPG: 74.3
CO2: 99
0-62 Mph: 12.5 secs
BHP: 90 BHP
Range: 817 miles
PROS: Spacious, well-made, and cheap to run.
CONS: A little too much noise, and a little too few horses.
The Toyota Auris Active 1.4 D-4D is powered by an 89bhp, 8-valve diesel engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This power unit is quiet enough at cruising speed, but a tad raucous when pottering around town. And potter you will, as performance is not the Auris’ forte. 0-62mph will take 12.5 seconds and top speed is 112mph, but for urban driving it is adequate if unremarkable, with reasonable steering and ride comfort levels. There are decent levels of grip and handling, but the Toyota Auris Active 1.4 D-4D 5dr is a car that is happier in the hands of a relaxed driver. Wind and road noise are a factor on the motorway, however the overall in-cabin experience is fine with flexible seat and steering wheel options and a generally well-considered dashboard layout.
The Auris Active gets power steering, central locking, stability control, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, alarm and immobiliser, and a CD player as standard, as well as a limited list of optional extras such as metallic paint for £495. While that list might not sound particularly inspiring, it should be noted that it is comparable to similarly priced rivals like the Kia c’eed 1 1.4 CRDi 5dr. In terms of looks, it has to be said that the Auris is not without its charms. Highlights include the chevron-style layout of the grille and headlamp arrangement, which sets up the 5-door hatchback body with a rakish demeanor that hints at a sporty pedigree.
The Auris comes with driver, passenger, and front side airbags as standard features, as well as stability control. The Auris fared well in Euro NCAP crash testing, especially in the field of pedestrian protection where it achieved a full 5-star rating. A strong performer in last year's JD Power customer satisfaction survey, all the indications are that the Auris will prove a reliable workhorse. This is backed up by a 5-year, 100,000-mile warranty from the manufacturer. Head and leg room are good all round, but particularly in the rear where a flat floor helps the car accommodate three with comparative ease, while the 360-litre boot capacity grows thanks to the standard fitting of split-folding rear seats.
With a price tag of £15,845, the Auris Active 1.4 D-4D is priced to sell, and boasts low running costs to boot. Combined fuel economy is an impressive 74.3mpg, and with just 99g/km of CO2 emissions it also falls into the lowest Road Tax Band A. Insurance will be affordable too, with the Auris falling into insurance group 10. That low purchase price and low running costs will make the Auris an attractive new purchase, while the latter should help to stabilise used values for the model. For value for money, the Auris Active 1.4 D-4D has the edge over the entry-level petrol model, despite being £1,350 more expensive to buy. There is no discernible performance advantage with the cheaper 1.3-litre petrol model, while the diesel is considerably more economical to run.
The Auris replaces the old Corolla and is just as dull as its predecessor. It's a competent all-rounder and should be endlessly reliable but there are more exciting cars out there.
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