Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Auris Hybrid (2013-2019) - Engines, drive & performance

The Auris Hybrid is easy to drive and best suited for around town, but it’s certainly not for keen drivers

Carbuyer Rating

3.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.1 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

2.5 out of 5

The Toyota Auris can’t compete with the Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra when it comes to driver appeal and the extra weight of the hybrid’s battery pack and electric motor blunt its responses still further.

Body lean, while not excessive, is pronounced and gives the feeling of a lack of control, as if your steering efforts are only guiding the car rather than instructing it. Like other Auris models, there’s little feel through the steering, and while it’s possible to travel quickly on a challenging road, you’re not likely to derive a great deal of pleasure from doing so. The brakes are extremely sharp and suggest that the Auris is geared more towards safety and reassurance than driving involvement.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Ride comfort is good, although not featherbed-soft, and the Auris is a smooth, relaxing car to travel in.

Toyota Auris Hybrid engine

The Auris Hybrid’s powertrain is the same as that of the Prius, so there’s only one engine available: a 1.8-litre petrol with 98bhp. That’s aided by an 80bhp electric motor, with power fed through a constantly variable automatic transmission (CVT). Going from 0-60mph takes 10.9 seconds for the hatchback and 11.2 seconds for the Touring Sports. Top speed is 111mph, so the hybrid is slightly slower than the 1.2-litre turbo petrol or 1.6-litre diesel.

The CVT gearbox can be very frustrating. It tends to hold onto engine revs for longer than you’d want – which detrimental to fuel consumption and raises concerns as to how easily the Auris’ claimed fuel economy figures can be realised. Unfortunately, it’s the only gearbox Toyota offers with the hybrid.

When you start the car, it defaults to electric power and the petrol engine starts once the acceleration called for is more than the electric motor can handle alone. When the engine is running, it can sound rather overworked, with the engine speed often not matching the velocity you’re travelling at.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?
Polestar 4 Prototype drive front quarter
News
22 Mar 2024

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024