Toyota Auris Touring Sports estate review (2013-2019)
"The Toyota Auris Touring Sports has a large boot, is relaxing to drive and should prove reliable. It’s also available with hybrid technology"
Pros
- Very efficient Auris Hybrid version
- Plenty of boot space
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- CVT automatic gearbox is noisy
- Rear seats can be quite cramped
- Ford Focus Estate is more fun to drive
Officially called the Toyota Auris Touring Sports, this model is simply an Auris with a much bigger boot, which has a surprising number of rivals. To succeed, it needs to appeal to you over the likes of the Skoda Octavia Estate, Peugeot 308 SW and Ford Focus Estate, as well as the Hyundai i30 Tourer and similarly named Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.
Of course, practicality is a key selling point and there’s significant space, particularly with the rear seats folded down. However, interior space isn’t quite as impressive as some competitors, especially for adults in the back seat.
Unlike many rivals, there’s a hybrid version available, powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, which are linked to a battery pack. This version is efficient and has low CO2 emissions, making it appealing for company-car drivers or private buyers who appreciate good fuel economy and low tax bills. The presence of a hybrid makes partial amends for the lack of a diesel version – these were discontinued at the end of 2017. A modern 1.2-litre petrol is the only other engine available.
Four trim levels are offered, namely Icon, Icon Tech, Design and Excel. Our pick of the bunch is the hybrid model in Icon Tech trim, which appears good value when compared with Toyota's flagship hybrid the Toyota Prius, thanks to its generous standard equipment and versatile boot.
Such pragmatic topics aside, the Touring Sports name is sadly a little deceptive – there’s nothing particularly sporty about this model. In fact, if you do want a small estate that’s fun to drive, the Ford Focus Estate and SEAT Leon ST will both serve you far better.
We can’t say the Toyota is particularly pulse-quickening to look at, either, while the interior of the Volkswagen Golf Estate certainly feels more upmarket. But if you aren’t particularly motivated by design, the Auris should prove practical, cheap to run and reliable, with a five-year warranty should anything go wrong.
See how this car scored on our sister site DrivingElectric
