By: Jason Woosey
With its lower stance and sharper lines, Toyota's second generation Auris was a more youthful take on a solid and rational package and the facelifted model, just launched locally, takes those ambitions a step further - on the surface at least.
The completely redesigned front end is quite striking, with new headlights that give it an eagle-eye stare, and there's a slimmer grille and larger lower intake. Toyota is also working on the assumption that you like chrome. Lots of it.
While the side view remains unchanged, barring new 16-inch alloy wheel designs, the rear end has been modernised with a cleaner looking rear bumper (goodbye giant diffuser) and redesigned taillight clusters. Furthermore, Toyota has given the Corolla's hatchback sister two new colour options in the form of Blue Metallic and the very bright Citrus Metallic.
WHERE'S THE TURBO?
The progression party ends when we look beneath the re-crafted bonnet though as local models soldier on with the tried-and-trusted normally aspirated engine line-up from before. European customers get the option of a brand new 1.2-litre turbopetrol with 84kW on tap, but Toyota believes it's too expensive to offer on our market at a keen price and the company is not willing to take chances with our fuel quality with a mainstream model like this.
Never mind, the carried-over 1.6-litre is a decent engine in its own right as I discovered while prowling around Joburg and its outskirts at its local launch. The engine has an enjoyably free-revving nature and delivers 97kW at 6400rpm and 160Nm at 4400, which is enough to get it around at a reasonably brisk pace at altitude. Toyota also carried over the 73kW/128Nm 1.3-litre base engine, which is probably best left to the rental fleets, and a 1.8 hybrid version is scheduled to hit showrooms in September but that's likely to be rather expensive so look no further than the 1.6 as the pick of this bunch.
MORE REFINED
While the engines remained untouched, Toyota did make improvements to the suspension and steering, and squeezed in some extra sound-proofing. Not that it needed much work in that department but either way the Auris continues to impress with its pliant ride quality and the refined, relaxed way it gobbles highway miles.
Also enhancing the experience is a redesigned dashboard featuring more soft-touch textures and, on mid-range models upwards, a new tablet-like touch-screen infotainment system. While it's not going to beat VW's Golf in a cabin ambience contest, the new Auris still has a pleasant enough look and feel inside and build quality is granite-solid. The low roofline does limit headroom though, and lends a slightly claustrophobic feel, while rear legroom isn't anything to write home about.
WIDE RANGE
The features count is mostly as before, except the base models gain Bluetooth connectivity. For the record, the entry-level 1.3X comes with a four-speaker audio system, air conditioning, leather steering wheel and electric windows. The 1.6 Xi adds 16-inch alloys to that equation and the 1.6 Xs takes the spec game further with the new touch-screen display audio system with six speakers and a reverse camera, in addition to snazzier seat material and additional chrome garnishes on the outside. Top-of-the-pile Xr plays the luxury card with leather seats (heated up front) as well as dual zone climate control, automatic headlights, smart entry with start button, cruise control, curtain airbags and a driver's kneebag. You can also order the range-topper with a CVT gearbox.
SOLID CHOICE
While the Auris remains a solid and sensible choice with a bit of added spice, it has plenty of stiff competition to fend off in the C-segment ring. Though it's not quite as classy or as advanced as the Golf, it could get away with that fight by being cheaper. The biggest problem that Auris faces is the recently upgraded Ford Focus , with its turbo engines and killer pricing.
PRICES
1.3 X - R223 700
1.6 Xi - R249 100
1.6 Xs - R259 800
1.6 Xr - R287 700
1.6 Xr CVT - R301 700
Prices include a five-year/90 000km service plan and three-year/100 000km warranty.