Smooth runner to broaden Auris appeal

I’ve never been a particular fan of the Toyota Auris, but I got to drive one recently which rather made me re-think about the car.

I was — among many others I suspect — surprised and a tad confused when Toyota decided to ditch the ‘Corolla’ nameplate for what used to be the Corolla three and five door hatchbacks and decided to use the Auris appellation instead, aiming to re-energise the car with more ‘yoof’ appeal.

Sure, they made cars which now had considerably more visual appeal, but in reality, were no less conservative and staid than any Corolla which had preceded them. Still, Toyota sells large numbers of them to people who want untroubled and, largely, bombproof motoring and fair play to them.