The new Auris is a significant step up in terms of efficiency, style and practicality over the car it replaces. It’s better to drive, too, but a clunky CVT gearbox means it still can’t hold a candle to a VW Golf or Ford Focus when it comes to driving fun. Toyota deserves praise for making a step in the right direction, but this car is still some way behind rivals.
In the new Hybrid the batteries sit under the rear seats, so it’s the same size as in the rest of the range: 360 litres. The latest car is more efficient, too – but not because of any tweaks to the hybrid powertrain.

The 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor pairing still makes 134bhp, yet thanks to revised aerodynamics and a reduced kerbweight, the Auris now returns 74.3mpg fuel economy and emits only 87g/km of CO2. That’s better than the old car’s 70.6mpg and 93g/km.