The Auris Touring Sports has the same wheelbase as the Auris but is 285mm longer overall
Toyota’s Auris Touring Sport injects a touch of style into the compact estate market and into the Toyota range says Geraldine Herbert
What is it? The latest newcomers to the compact family car sector is an estate version of Toyota’s much-acclaimed Auris hatchback
Who is it aimed at? If you need more practicality than your average family hatchback but you want something that can also be parked in a tight corner when you get home again the Auris Touring Sport may just be what you are searching for.
Styling? The recent Auris was a delicate balance of sleeker styling; not too avant-garde to alienate existing customers but edgy enough to woo new ones. The result was a new look that carries forward to this Touring Sport.
Under the Bonnet: Our test car was powered by a 1.4-litre diesel. There is also a hybrid option.
What about Inside? Settle behind the wheel of the Auris and everything is light and roomy and is all well made. The instrument panel is nicely laid out and the driving position is good and it feels really comfortable. Both driver and front passenger are well looked after with decent head and leg room. In the rear things get a little cosier. The Auris Touring Sports is nearly 30cm longer than the hatchback version and it is the boot that gains all the additional space. Not only it is bigger but it’s also 10cm lower than on the hatch so it makes loading it so much easier plus the lack of lip at the entrance of the boot allows heavy items to simply slide in. Boot space is a very generous 530 litres with the seats in use and a 1,600 litres with the seats folded so it’s an excellent family holdall five-seater.
On the Road? The touring version of the Auris doesn’t feel like an estate car at all and on the road it is as composed and light as the hatchback. The engine more than packs enough power when it counts but is light on fuel.
And Safety? The Auris Touring Sports earned a top five-star rating in the 2013 Euro NCAP independent safety test programme. As standard all models are fitted with ABS, EBD, brake assist, Vehicle Stability Control and an emergency braking signal. In the cabin there are front, side and knee airbags for driver and front passenger, plus full length curtain airbags.
Options? For the Auris range the choice is between one diesel and one hybrid. The range starts with Terra, moving up to the likely big-selling Aura and then the top of the range Luna.
What about fuel economy? On a mix of urban and motorway driving the Diesel Auris returns 4.2 litres per 100 km (67.3 mpg), for every greater efficiency opt for the Hybrid and the figure improves to 4.0 (70.6mpg) . CO2 emissions on the diesel are 109 g/km dropping to a mere 92g for the Hybrid so motor tax would be €190 and €180 respectively per year.
Okay so the Verdict? The real strength of this car lies in its spacious, economical and functional approach to family motoring. Sleeker looking than the Corolla and far more practical than the Auris Hatchback, the Touring Sport deserves a spot on any buying list.
Why you’ll buy one? Spacious; Price; Hybrid option
Why you won’t? Unexciting to drive
Rivals
Ford Focus Estate – Priced from €23,085
Hyundai i30 Tourer – Priced From €22,245
Toyota Auris 1.4D4D Luna TS 4DR
Engine:1,364cc diesel with 66kW @ 3,800 rpm and 205Nm/1,800-2,800
Max speed: 180kph
0-100 kph: 13.0 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 109 g/km (€190)
Model price range: €22,770 – €28,165 (*Test car €25,700)
No of Doors: 5
Euro NCAP: 5 stars
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 4.2 l/100 km
Boot Capacity: 530 litres
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4,5600mm
Width: 1,760mm
Height: 1,475mm
Wheelbase: 2,600mm
For more information check out Toyota.ie or the Toyota Ireland Facebook page.
Geraldine Herbert
26th February, 2014
