Thinking Of Buying Auris

[scot22]

I have joined the forum because I appreciate the advice of people who actually own a car. I currently drive a volvo C30 which has many good points but not a practical car !

My priorities are safety, comfort and reliability. I drive around 10,000 miles a year steady motoring rarely motorway so diesel not really suitable. I would prefer an automatic (T.C) The Auris ticks many of the boxes.

WHICH review says wind noise at speed. Is this noticeable ? and at what speed ? I observe the limits.

What is the auto transmission like ?

I would appreciate any comments.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Joe - welcome to Toyota Owners Club

[DarrenM]

I have joined the forum because I appreciate the advice of people who actually own a car. I currently drive a volvo C30 which has many good points but not a practical car !

My priorities are safety, comfort and reliability. I drive around 10,000 miles a year steady motoring rarely motorway so diesel not really suitable. I would prefer an automatic (T.C) The Auris ticks many of the boxes.

WHICH review says wind noise at speed. Is this noticeable ? and at what speed ? I observe the limits.

What is the auto transmission like ?

I would appreciate any comments.

As you mention auto I assume you mean hybrid?

I've had a 2015 hybrid touring sports for 5 months now. I was a bit concerned with the reviews before I bought it but it's now apparent that motoring journalists don't have any idea what they're talking about. They've become so trained on only wanting conventional german stuff or Ford that they can't compute anything different.

The one place the hybrid Auris doesn't excel is high speed motorway and A road driving up hills with heavy loads. I've just driven back from Cornwall going up long hills at 70mph with the car packed to the rafters, loads on the roof, and sitting on the floor. The engine was running full out at some points and struggled a little bit.

For everything else, the drivetrain is brilliant. Relaxed, quiet, smooth. Just how you should be driving a car.

If you don't mean the hybrid, then stuff that's common to all Auris models are the 3 main stupid things that I still can't believe Toyota thought was a good idea. 1. The 'retro' digital clock on the dashboard. 2. The ridiculous airbag warning light you can't turn off. 3. No air chanelling to the rear of the car. Apart from those 3 things the car is wonderful. Well, the touch2go entertainment system is a bit slow and dated compared to other brands but it does the job. I just use my phone for everything anyway.

The light steering gets criticised but this is great for easy driving. You still get road feel and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The chassis is perfectly tuned between handling and comfort. It's never harsh but it zips around tight country lane corners with ease.

Only other things I can think of are the front - it's impossible to see much over the front without picking the seat height right up. And the parking sensors are pointless because the reversing camera is all you'll ever need.

edit: to actually answer your questions, I've not noticed any wind noise at speed. In fact, it's one of the most quiet cars I've been in. Couldn't comment about the conventional auto but the CVT style drive on the hybrid is great and benefits from having no kickdown so is very smooth. The engine gets loud at full load but it's not something you'll be doing very much.

[FROSTYBALLS]

The one thing to bear in mind is that the Auris facelift has recently gone on sale and there are some major changes to the range (new 1.2T replacing the 1.6 petrol, BMW sourced 1.6 diesel (though built by Toyota), improved safety kit, etc) -

https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/auris/index.json

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/2015-toyota-auris-price-and-specs

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/feel-touch-hear-quality-new-toyota-auris

[scot22]

Thank you both for such prompt and helpful replies. Finances won't run to 2015 so not the hybrid. Sorry should have been more specific.

Darren I appreciate the information you have given as an owner. In a standard test drive no chance of finding that out.

Frosty thanks for the useful links.

Again thank you both. I appreciate people taking the time and trouble to share their knowledge. Definitely after a test drive now.

[alan333]

My Avensis 1.8 valvematic has a similar CVT auto and it's wonderful to drive. It's a bit revvy at times but that means you've always got the right balance of power on tap. It might be a bit annoying if you did lots of motorway driving cos if you put your foot down a bit on a hill at, say, 70mph, the revs jump from 2000 up to towards 3000. I haven't driven the 1.6 valvematic new shape Auris tho, so I can't comment on it's power to weight. It is, however, our current choice to replace our 2011 MMT auto Auris when the time comes.

[Whitewagon]

I have had two long test drives in the Auris Hybrid, the method of driving is almost identical to the CVT petrol version of the Avensis. The car is very comfortable, relaxing and easy to drive. In comparison to my Avensis though it does have more road and wind noise (though not excessive), however it is a smaller and lower sector car than the Avensis so that is probably to be expcted. Having had dealings with three Toyota main dealers I would expect them to be happy for you to take a test drive.

[scot22]

Thanks for the additional posts. An unexpected advantage ( if i can find the right Auris) would be able to participate in the forum. It has been very helpful.

[ToyotaAuris]

In the Lexus CT200h (uses same engine and gearbox as the hybrid Auris) I just keep falling asleep! Its so quiet, comfortable and smooth that it just makes you nod off.