Toyota Auris
The Toyota Auris isn't as popular as its rivals - the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf - but it's spacious, keenly priced, and well equipped. It's also a sensible choice for those looking for the best in customer support and build quality. That's especially true since the introduction of the Auris HSD, which uses the petrol-electric hybrid system of the Toyota Prius to deliver impressive fuel economy. All versions feature air-conditioning and lots of safety equipment as standard, although the engine range lets the side down - with the exception of the hybrid HSD, none are particularly quick or comfortable.
Watch our overview of the Toyota Auris range
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- pros:
- Easy to get comfortable behind the wheel
- Lots of cabin storage space
- Fuel economy of HSD hybrid
- cons:
- Regular petrol and diesel engines lack power
- Slightly too much wind, tyre and engine noise
- Ride quality isn’t as smooth as it could be
Toyota's Auris hatchback isn’t considered as good a car as the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, but it's a very competent small family hatchback. The petrol-electric hybrid HSD version also has the distinction of being the most economical small family hatchback on sale, thanks to technology taken from the Toyota Prius. Safety and space are both good, but the 1.4-litre diesel engine is noisy, and the cabin design is a little bland.
