Toyota Auris

Auris is Toyota’s Focus-sized hatchback. It now occupies the place in the range which once belonged to the Corolla – the car it replaces. It’s available in three and five-doors with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines. It’s exceptionally well built, comfortable, easy to drive and comes with a good level of equipment. It does, however, ultimately lack an X-factor that makes it stand out ahead of the Vauxhall Astra or Ford Focus. But this is a competent car in every area: a car that you buy with your head, not with your heart.

VVTi T2, T3, TR, T Spirit. D-4D T180

Entry level model is the T2 with air conditioning, nine airbags, ABS with EBD, electric front windows, remote central locking and an MP3-compatible CD stereo. T3 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, colour-keyed door mirrors and handles, front fog lamps, heated door mirrors, leather-trimmed steering wheel, electric rear windows (on five-door), steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a six-speaker stereo system. T Spirit adds automatic headlights, keyless entry, dual zone climate control, automatic wipers, cruise control, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The T180 has smoked glass headlamps, different interior detailing, an electric sunroof, alloy wheels, vehicle stability control and traction control. The TR is a launch special edition, available with 1.6-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines. It has the same spec as T3, but adds scuff plates and chrome detailing but cost £1,000 less.

1.6 VVTi T Spirit 5d