More dynamic, better equipped and cheaper to run than its predecessor, the original version of Toyota’s second generation British-built Auris family hatchback offered more confident, sleeker styling, improved ride and handling and more efficient engines. Plus it continued its leadership in this segment when it came to hybrid power. The car represented a big step forward for the brand but does it represent a strong used buy?

  • What You Get

Despite an overall length increase of 30mm, Toyota is proud of the fact that this remains one of the most compact cars in the family hatchback class, though you might not think this to be a particularly good thing if you’ve a family of five to carry about.. As usual in this class, three passengers will be a squash on the back seat, but thanks to more rear legroom and seat backrests that recline for greater comfort on longer journeys, two will be quite comfortable.

  • What To Look For

You are joking, right? In all seriousness, very little goes wrong with the Toyota Auris. Look for the usual parking scuffs and scraped alloy wheels. Check the wear on tyres for signs of suspension misalignment and check that the car has been regularly oil serviced. Otherwise, there’s not really much else to worry about. The interiors have proven hardwearing although the one moan existing Auris owners repeat about their cars is that the complex dashboard mouldings can creak and rattle.

  • Overall

If you’re the kind of person who brings uncompromising reason to the purchase decision when it comes to getting yourself a family hatchback, then you’ll bond with this MK2 model Auris right away. Optimal Drive technology, hybrid power, low servicing costs, impressive residuals: it’ll all be music to your ears.

There are, it’s true, still more dynamic, more versatile and more up-market-feeling choices in this class, but few are now able to stack up as well as an overall ownership proposition. Finally then, a family hatchback with a Toyota badge that’s class-competitive in almost every way. It was a long time coming and makes a very decent used buy.