Auris sparkles after make-over

As it is, hatchbacks represent less than a third of the total C Segment sales in this country but Auris is a strong share-holder with about 160 sales a month against tough contenders such as Ford Focus, Hyundai i30 and VW Golf.

The latest Auris is not new, but just a face-lifted version of the second edition Auris launched in in 2013. However, the Toyota white coats have done a good job with the car's make-up and body tweaks to make it look younger, prettier and a touch more vigorous.

The dashboard has been reshaped with smarter soft-touch trim and surface finishes, and a new addition is a touch-sensitive display panel with CD/DVD, Radio (FM/AM) and Bluetooth/AUX/USB functionality and it also serves as a display for the reverse camera.

The driver's instrument binnacle looks livelier with tubed tachometer and speedometer dials on either side of a new 4.2-inch colour multi-information screen (only on the Xr models, like the one we had on test).

Already one of the lowest riders in this segment the Auris' sporty crouch is further emphasised by a glitzier front with a thinner black upper grille and a pair of chrome 'wings' that run the full width of the car and encapsulates narrow-eyed headlamp clusters. The lower grille, which has also been enlarged to run the full width of the car, now also houses integrated fog lights and the bumper has been enlarged.

The tail end of the car has been completely redesigned to make it look lower and wider and a new shark fin roof antenna and turbine-inspired 16-inch alloy wheels add further perky touches.

On the road the refreshed Auris feels a bit more solid thanks to a "completely revised" front suspension and the steering is also a tad more direct and responsive to dish up a more cushioned straight line ride. However, through the twisties it is still not quite as solid and as sharp under the whip as the Ford and Golf hatches.

Where the saki-sippers did do a grand job is in the living quarters. With the clever use of sound-absorbing materials the cabin insulation is now on a par with more expensive cars and as good as the top-scoring hatches.

The engines of the Auris remain unchanged. They are:
A 1.3-litre petrol unit producing 73kW and 128Nm. Toyota says it will do the 0-100km/h dash in 12,6 seconds and trot on to a maximum speed of 175km/h. Fuel consumption is pegged at 5,8l /100km for the combined cycle (With the high revs required to get maximum power out of this engine, this consumption figures will not be easily achieved).

A 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 97kW and 160Nm at 4400rpm with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 10 seconds. Top speed is given as 200km/h. The 1.6 manual consumes an average of 6,2l /100km in the combined cycle and auto version 6,0l / 100km.

The figures for the 1.8 Hybrid, due to arrive in September, will be disclosed at launch.

It is a pity that all the engines remain normally-aspirated with no turbo options and there are also no signs of a diesel engine under the hood of an Auris in the near future.

True to the Toyota badge the Auris range still presses all the right buttons for being safe, practical, economical, reliable and affordable - a package loved by the brand's loyal supporters and difficult to beat.

The models and prices (inclusive of a three-year/100 000 km warranty, a five-year/ 90 000 km service plan and roadside assistance. The new models are also supported by the ToyotaCare Roadside Assistance Programme) are: