And I have to admit, I'm rather impressed. The Auris has always faced a certain level of competition from other models such as the new Golf Bluemotion and the BMW 116d, however this innovative new look definitely keeps it in the game.Available as either a hatchback or Touring Sports, it is fair to say that there is a model available to suit different peoples tastes, without having to compromise on style.The model that I drove was the 1.8 litre petrol Hybrid which comes as an automatic. Now I will be honest in saying that I have never been a fan of automatics as I have always felt they take the fun out of driving, but this car may just have changed my misconception.I took the Auris out for a trip to the Peak District for the weekend and it kept a smile on my face the whole time. The car handled beautifully around the different twists and turns that the journey faced, and the drive was very smooth, even over uneven surfaces. The hybrid engine offers three driving modes – EV, Eco and Power. The latter gives the car a burst of power which helps in pushing the car effortlessly up any hill and can give you that added boost to get up to speed. Eco mode combines the use of petrol and electric, and creates an effortless drive that also returns a good MPG. Finally, EV Mode is the use of electric only which creates an almost silent engine which is perfect for steady driving around built up areas.Moving onto the interior, the Auris definitely gives off that luxury feel that in my eyes would be ideal for any business user. The amount of technology embedded into the car is also rather impressive.The Toyota Touch 2 multimedia systems features everything from digital DAB Radio to TomTom real-time traffic, which was extremely accurate, even down to where changed speed limit areas were.With this system been the centrepiece of the car, the dashboard is left looking modern and neat.The seats are undoubtedly comfortable and can be adjusted to each individual to add to the driving experience. Little added extras such as a storage compartments in between the driver and passenger seats that can pull out to be an arm rest just added to a relaxed drive. Toyota claim that the Auris is designed for space, comfort and functionality; and I do believe they have ticked all these boxes!Also included was Lane Departure Alert, Parking Sensors, Rear Tinted Windows, Brake Assist and Reverse Parking Cameras just to name a few. The main thing that excited me was the addition of Skyview, which means you have the luxury of looking up at the stars with a panoramic roof that is one of the longest in its class.Now listen up ladies because this is a feature to the car that is going to benefit you! The Auris Touring Sports model boasts a seats-down luggage capacity of 1,658 litres and 530 litres with the seats up which means you can go buy those extra pair of shoes as this can can handle the baggage.The model I drove was an Auris hatchback, and this still holds and impressive 360 litre capacity with the seats up and 1,200 litres with them down. The hatchback overall has a spacious feel about it and would comfortably seat a family.Looking at the external changes, this car is elegant but still has that edgy look about it. The front headlights have been created to look more curved than the previous Auris and with its reshaped bumper, the air intake is also slightly larger. The bright LED daytime running lights add a bold and contemporary look to the car, with the added bonus of two-tone taillights that compliment the reshaped bumper.The hybrid that I drove came with 15" double spoke alloys as standard, however if you are looking to add that personal touch there is a wide range of designs available. There is also a wide selection of paint finishes ranging from Deep Titanium to Island Blue.The Auris is available in a choice of hybrid, petrol or diesel engines. The 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i Petrol can return 50.4 - 51.4 mpg combined and CO2 emissions of 128-130 g/km respectively. Whereas if you prefer driving a diesel, the 1.4 litre engine can provide 65.7 – 74.3 mpg combined and a CO2 emission of 99-112 g/km.The 1.8 Litre Hybrid that I drove can achieve a combined mpg of 70.6-78.5mpg and has a low CO2 emission of just 84-92 g/km. This car has a power of 136 DIN hp and a torque of 142Nm.Overall, driving the Toyota Auris Hybrid has changed my perception towards hybrid automatic cars.This is an easy car to drive that has lots of added little luxuries that combine together to create a very pleasant driving experience.The economic engine matched up with the stylish inbuilt technology makes this a perfect car for company use, but is also a great family car in terms of space and running costs.For what's included, buying a new Toyota Auris won't break the bank either, with starting prices from just over £15,000.
