Toyota Auris hatchback (2013-2019) - Interior & comfort

Although the interior of the Toyota Auris ins't much to look at, it is at least well equipped, particularly with the Excel model's standard sat nav and part-leather upholstery. Plastic quality isn't up to the standards of a Volkswagen Golf, but it's more than a match for rivals from Hyundai and Kia.

Getting comfortable behind the wheel should be easy thanks to a steering wheel that adjusts for rake and reach and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The Toyota offers decent visibility, so most drivers should find it easy to manoeuvre, and top-of-the-range Excel model has parking assistance.

Interior noise is low unless you go for the CVT automatic gearbox, which causes the engine to emit a constant drone under hard acceleration. That noise is made more noticeable by the car's otherwise quiet interior.

Toyota Auris dashboard

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By the standards of its rivals, the dashboard of the Auris looks a little old-fashioned and incohesive, but it's at least laid out in a simple manner. Material quality can't match the Volkswagen Golf for tactile appeal, but everything is at least robust and well assembled.

All versions come with Toyota's Touch 2 seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, that helps to give the dashboard a little hi-tech appeal, while gloss- black trim on the centre console adds a dash of visual interest to what would otherwise be a rather bland overall look.

Equipment

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Every Auris is pretty well equipped, coming with automatic air-conditioning, bright LED daytime running lights, hill-start assist and electrically operated and heated door mirrors. The Icon is the entry-level model and boasts 16-inch alloy wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth phone connection and rear-view parking camera. Moving up to Icon Tech also provides cruise control and sat nav. An important feature of both is the Toyota Safety Sense package, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning and road-sign recognition.

Design trim is next in the range, bringing an individual design of 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, rear privacy glass and the option of a blue checked-cloth upholstery with Alcantara suede-effect bolsters. Front and rear parking sensors, automatic wipers and headlights, and an auto dimming rear-view mirror also feature.

The top-of-the-range Excel model combines many of the features of the Icon Tech and (including sat nav) and Design, adding 3D mapping, LED headlamps and intelligent parking assistance, which steers the car into a parking space automatically while you operate the pedals.

Options

Toyota has given the Auris options list competitive prices, so adding a panoramic glass sunroof costs £550, while £950 for a full leather interior also looks like decent value. You can also brighten up the interior by choosing to repeat the exterior body colour in places on the dashboard and leather trim is an option on Excel models.