Toyota Auris (2013 – 2019) Review

Toyota Auris (2013 – 2019) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
If you’re after an efficient, reliable and British-built family hatchback, the Toyota Auris is a fine choice. It isn’t exciting, but it impresses in other areas.

+Excellent reliability record and long warranty, hybrid version is economical and efficient, easy to drive and live with.

-Lacks excitement, early engines are disappointing, sombre cabin lacks flair.

Insurance Groups are between 7–15
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

Launched in 2013, the Auris rivals the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, but the availability of a hybrid powertrain gives it a USP in a crowded market. If the name is unfamiliar, it’s best to view the Auris as Toyota’s attempt to inject some desirability into the dull but worthy Corolla. It kind of worked, but it speaks volumes that Toyota has since ditched the Auris in favour of the Corolla. 

The Toyota Auris is a car for non-car people, right? The kind of family hatchback you buy when you want to get from A to B with the minimal amount of fuss. A car lacking in flair, imagination and excitement.

Maybe so, but who’s to say that the non-car people have got it wrong? Research the purchase of a family hatchback or compact estate car in the way you would a dishwasher or refrigerator, and you’ll almost certainly be advised to buy the Toyota Auris. It’s efficient, reliable, robust and built to last. It’s also a bit of a used car bargain.

Launched in 2013, the second-generation Auris took the best bits of the original car and added a little spice.

It’s not going to turn many heads, but the styling is more striking than before. Inside, it remains a sombre affair, with a tall dashboard and a complete absence of imagination. On the plus side, the quality is excellent, with the materials chosen for their hard-wearing qualities.

There are two versions: the Auris hatchback and the Auris estate, with the latter badged Touring Sports. Space is good without being exceptional, although the estate is the more practical of the pair. The cabin offers good levels of headroom and legroom, and while the middle seat is a bit tight, the absence of a transmission tunnel means there’s plenty of room for your feet.

Equipment levels are good if you avoid the entry-level Active trim. This was ditched later in the car’s life, but we’d still recommend avoiding the Icon trim. Icon Tech and Design models offer the best balance of price and equipment.

You might be wondering how the Toyota Auris manages to stand out in a market dominated by the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra.

One word: hybrid. The Auris Hybrid gives the car a unique selling point, offering the efficiency of a diesel engine with the smooth running of a petrol car. It should come as no surprise to discover that by the end of the production run, sales were dominated by the hybrid.

The Auris Hybrid is like a Toyota Prius in a more conventional suit, which will appeal to buyers who don’t want to wear their green badge on their sleeve.

Alternatively, petrol and diesel versions are available, including a diesel sourced from BMW as part of the 2015 facelift. The later engines are better, with the 1.2-litre petrol easier to recommend than the earlier 1.33 unit.

Regardless of the engine, the Toyota Auris is not an exciting car to drive. Safe, predictable and competent are the watchwords – for flair and excitement you need to look elsewhere. On the plus side, the Auris is comfortable and easy to drive.

Because production stopped in 2019, it’s no longer possible to buy a new Toyota Auris. The majority of used examples are powered by the excellent hybrid system. We’d recommend the Auris Hybrid for its efficiency and economy, and you needn’t pay more than £20,000. That’s the price of a new Ford Fiesta. Maybe the non-car people know more about cars than you think.

Ask Honest John

How do I turn off the interior sensor for the alarm on a Toyota?

"How do I temporally disable alarm while my dog is in the vehicle?"
Depending on which version of the Auris you have, either there is a button in the overhead panel which you press when the car is turned off to deactivate the interior sensor, or it may be an option in the vehicle settings menu. Your owner's handbook should provide further guidance.
Answered by David Ross

My Toyota Auris has weak headlights, what can I do?

"I have a 65 plate 2016 Toyota Auris Touring Sports Hybrid. I'm extremely happy with it with one exception, the headlights. They are dangerously weak, especially on high beam. I drive a lot on unlit A and B roads and as I get older I am finding it harder and harder to see a safe distance ahead. Are there any aftermarket solutions that could help me? Many thanks."
We would recommend Osram Night Breakers or Phillips RacingVision bulb upgrades, as they offer superior performance in low light conditions.
Answered by David Ross

Can I change my tyres for a better ride?

"My Toyota Auris has tyres that are 205/55/16. An option on the car is 195/65/15. I'm after a softer, quieter ride and I wondered if 'downgrading' to the 65 section tyres would be noticeable?"
You can improve the ride on your Toyota by changing the aspect ratio of your tyres for something taller. You don't have to change the tyre width to do this - a quick look on blackcircles.com shows there is a decent choice of 205 16-inch tyres available with a 60 or 65 profile, which would help to improve the ride quality without having a narrower tyre which would slightly reduce the amount of grip available. It is also important to consider that this will also change the handling characteristics slightly, as the taller sidewall will deflect more during cornering. However, you may consider this a small price to pay for a better ride.
Answered by David Ross

What's the best used car with an automatic gearbox for £14,000?

"I am looking for recommendations for a car with an automatic gearbox for commuting around town and the occasional long journey. What do you suggest I buy with a budget of £14,000?"
Toyota Auris 1.8 petrol Hybrid. It was rated as one of the UK's best cars for reliability in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index. You will also get a minimum of 54mpg on the road, according to Real MPG submissions: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/toyota/auris-2013
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Toyota Auris (2013 – 2019) cost?