Powered from Wales, built in Britain and destined for Europe, a lot is riding in the back of the Toyota Auris Touring Sports.
It is the most significant model yet produced by Toyota in the UK and since its launch this summer it has been selling very well across Europe.
An extensive 14 model range from £15,600 to £22,845 comes in four trim levels with choice of four petrol or diesel engines, hybrids and manual of CVT transmissions.
The so-called feature model of the new series is the version tested, a 1600cc Icon trimmed version which gains 16-inch alloys, front fogs, double level floor and tonneau cover, touchscreen system, DAB radio, reversing camera and ours was also fitted with satnav and had metallic paint.
The Touring Sports is effectively the estate version of the Auris hatchback, itself the modern successor to the best selling Corolla series which really put Toyota on the road to international success.
The TS model lifts the usual maximum luggage capacity to 1658 litres from 530 litres with the seats in use, so its an excellent family holdall five seater. The Icon has a double floor at the back as well which is useful for both concealing items as well as offering additional load bed if needed. It’s a simple and versatile feature.
Estate cars are popular in Europe but not really anywhere else and it explains by Derby is the only production centre for this model, but that’s not to decry it, but to celebrate it.
Most touring sports models or estates suffer from road noise or bad design, sometimes both, but the Auris TS is not only good looking and sleek, its immensely practical and sophisticated.
Apart from the useful double floor in the Icon tested, there is very little road noise from the rear wheels and its extremely easy to load with a knee-high sill and high opening tailgate but which can be closed even by a shorter person.
The doors open wide to ease access and once inside the very well shaped seats are supporting and very comfortable on longer journeys. The front pair have plenty of fore, aft and vertical adjustment as well.
Vision is good all round, helped by a reversing camera on Icon models, with good lights and wipers front and back.
Inside, the instruments are very clear, the heating and ventilation straightforward and the secondary controls come naturally to hand.
Major controls work smoothly and without vibration or kickback, the steering is excellent for town use, the brakes extremely progressive and clutch/ gearbox gave good feedback.
It is not a tear-away tourer in the way of some German rivals but it is not a sluggard either and it overtakes safely and smartly and cruises very quietly on main roads.
The composed character of the Auris TS helps explain the overall test figure of 41mpg, which is fairly close to the combined claimed average, and that’s unusual.
The Toyota Auris handled faithfully, gripped securely, responded without hesitation and overall exuded quality and sophistication. Luggage and oddments spaces were good for a family car. The range is not enormous but it provides an attractive package in price segments and the five years and 100,000 miles warranty is reassuring. In fact, it’s hard to beat at the price.
Fast facts:
Toyota Auris TS 1.6 manual
Insurance group: TBC
Price: £19,995
Mechanical: 4cyl twin-cam 130bhp 1598cc engine, 6sp
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 10.5sec
CO2 emissions: 140gkm
Combined mpg: 46.3mpg (41mpg on test)
BIK rating: VED band E/ 20%
Warranty: 5yrs/ 100,000 miles
