Models tested: Toyota Auris 1.33 TR Valvematic 6sp manual, 5-dr hatchback, Toyota Auris 1.6 SR Valvematic 6sp manual, 3-dr hatchback
Price: £15,640, £16,495
Date tested: February 2010
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Meet the Toyota Auris take-two; the follow-up to the car that replaced the Toyota Corolla, itself the world's best-selling car. Does it live up to its billing of the son of the world's favourite car?

Three years after the Toyota Auris launched, it has received a mid-life makeover with new looks, new engines and a revised model line-up; a hybrid is also coming, in July 2010.

The visual changes are most evident at the front, with new headlights and grille. The rear has new lights and a deeper rear bumper, with inset round foglamps.

There's a raft of changes inside too. The dash sees new soft-touch plastics, a chunkier flat-bottomed steering wheel and it all feels solidly assembled.

But it's the bits you can't see which Toyota has worked hardest on. The revised Auris sees the front wheels placed further apart for greater stability and the dampers have been retuned, improving roadholding.

The electric power steering is more heavily weighted to instill more confidence, but the artificial feel means it doesn't feel as connected to the front wheels as the class leaders.

A new engine line-up sees a 1.33 petrol unit join revised versions of the 1.6 petrol and 1.4 diesel powerplants. Toyota says its forthcoming Auris HSD hybrid offers the performance of the 2-litre diesel, which has been dropped from the range.

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The 1.33's relative lack of power (100bhp and 97lb/ft of torque) means it takes over 13 seconds to reach 62mph with a 109mph maximum. Around town it's nippy enough and once the car reaches cruising speed, it's surprisingly refined and willing.

More suited to cruising is the 1.6-litre petrol unit, with 130bhp and 118lb/ft of pulling power to give 0-62mph in 10 seconds (11.9 for the automatic) and a 121mph top speed. It's no performance car, but it should be fine for most drivers.

Only one diesel is offered; a 1.4 with 89bhp and 151lb/ft of pulling power; it's good for 109mph and a 12-second 0-62mph time.

The Auris scores well for running costs, with reasonably low CO2 ratings. Insurance costs should be competitive and Toyota's service plan is designed to be the cheapest in its class.

It's also well equipped, with the base T2 getting USB connectivity, air-con, electric heated door mirrors, seven airbags and remote central locking. The TR adds 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, front fog lights and folding mirrors, while the SR has 17-inch alloys, tinted glass, rear spoiler, darkened headlamp glass and bespoke sporty seat trim.

Whether a Toyota Auris should be on your shopping list largely depends on what you want from the car. Space and build quality are first rate, but as a car to stir the soul, there are other options.