New Toyota Auris 2013 - Which? first drive

http://whi.ch/ToyotaAuris2013?utm_cam... Toyota's new Auris has big boots to fill. It's a direct descendent of the Corolla, the world's bestselling car and the model that earned Toyota its reputation for reliability. The five-door Auris hatchback goes on sale first, with a Touring Sports estate due in July 2013. Prices start at £14,500, although Toyota UK expects the hybrid -- priced from £19,995 -- to be its bestseller. Four engines are offered: 1.33- and 1.6-litre petrol, 1.4 diesel and the hybrid, which uses the same petrol/electric drivetrain as the Prius. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, with an optional auto 'box (£1,000) on the 1.6 petrol. The hybrid comes with a 'one-speed' CVT automatic. Medium hatchbacks are the bread and butter of the UK car market, so the Toyota's rivals include some familiar faces: Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. At the top end of this segment, the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-class offer premium badges at premium prices. And at the lower end, cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai i30 and Kia Cee'd tempt buyers with long warranties and plenty of standard equipment. Finally, let's not forget compact MPVs and 4x4s, such as Toyota's own Verso and RAV4.