Test Toyota Auris Hybrid, hybrid technology available to everyone

El Toyota Auris It is a relatively new model. It arrived on the European market in 2007 to succeed the popular Toyota Corolla in the C segment. they will be ten years old since its launch and until now only two generations have passed. The first was in the Corolla line in terms of design and it was with the second when a much more marked evolution came.

The second generation of the Auris arrived in 2012 with a change of scenery, which was further accentuated in the middle of last year. In May landed a restyling mid-cycle commercial, which was not only noticeable aesthetically, but was also renewed in terms of technology and range of engines. In addition, the commitment to the hybrid drive, in this way came into our hands the 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid.

Face wash

Nobody can say that the second generation of the Auris has not received an update. facelift has been quite remarkable and where it stands out the most is on the front. The grille is now narrower and is flanked by Full-LED headlights (depending on finish) on each side, which are joined by a chrome trim on the Toyota badge. These optics brand new sharper design they provide give it a dynamic image. Also in this aspect it stands out for the marked inclination of the windshield.

If we look at it from the side, the 17-inch two-tone wheels of the Feel finish! of our test unit. In this view the line of the windshield continues to advance to lead to a rear with a fairly vertical drop. On the roof is the antenna, which adopts a 'shark fin' shape. The rear also receives changes, although they are less noticeable. The optics are modernized and appear in two tones, in addition the bumper is somewhat more voluptuous and gives it a touch of robustness. Overall, the Auris shows a futuristic image that leaves no one indifferent.

Interior pulling premium

The passenger compartment is one of the points where Toyota needed to improve and it has done so. The perceived quality it is older and part of the fault lies with the new dashboard. Infotainment is centralized through a 7 inch touch screen which is perfectly integrated into the center console. Their performance is very good and it allows you to jump between the menus, which show information such as where the propulsion comes from at all times or a graph with the consumption.

Below this screen are the climate controls, which have a modern shape with chrome controls and small screens backlit in blue. As a weak point, the Auris only equips dual zone air conditioning in the highest finish, Advance, in the rest it is monozone. And we continue talking about news with the frame and instruments and the 4,2 inch color screen that are located behind the steering wheel. Here we can read much of the information about the vehicle, being able to use the large screen for one parameter and this small one for another.

We couldn't stop talking about the lowercase gear lever, which controls the CVT automatic transmission. At first glance its size may seem ridiculous, however, with use we realize that it's not uncomfortable at all and that also fulfills an aesthetic function, providing minimalism. The tours are short as expected, but also precise and intuitive and for that we give it our vote of confidence.

Quality is perceived inside the vehicle thanks to details such as the air conditioning system air outlets. Also with the Used materials on the dashboard, which combines hard plastics with others that are softer and have a pleasant touch. Being in the hybrid variant we like that the lighting and other details are of color azul, like the Toyota logo in this version. The multifunction steering wheel lined in leather also contributes in this line, since its touch is pleasant and from it we can control part of the information.

taking advantage of the space

habitability of the Auris Hybrid is good and identical to that of the model launched in 2012. Its dimensions have hardly been altered by the new bumpers and we find some spacious and comfortable front seats. We have a lot of free space on the roof and there are also enough holes to leave our things. As for the rear seats, we could be talking about one of the most spacious vehicles in the segment. This does not mean that three adults will travel with all the comfort in the world, but they will with more ease than in other models, due in part to the lack of a central tunnel.

Trunk on the other hand, it is not as large in proportion as the passenger compartment. cube correct ones 360 liters, which do not stand out but are not far from the average of other cars in the segment. In his favor we have to say that his shapes are regular and the loading mouth quite wide. Also it has a false bottom, covered by two trays that we can use to distribute objects to our liking and therefore increasing its usefulness.

Equipment at the height

The Auris also improves at the level of equipment. It has four finishes available, starting from the Business, dedicated to company fleets. follow him Activate, Feel! and Advance, as a more complete choice. Our unit has the Feel finish! that already comes with lots of interesting items and also equips two options that make it almost at the level of the Advance.

As a series we have full LED lighting with dynamic adjustment that will facilitate driving in situations of poor visibility. They also highlight rain and light sensors, electrically folding rear-view mirrors or rear view camera. On the road, the cruise control or the Start&Stop system help us. One of the extras that this unit brings is the Toyota Safety Sense.

As its name indicates, they are systems that increase the safety of the vehicle and among which are the intelligent control of high beams (AHB) or a pre-collision safety system (PCS), which will automatically brake in case of danger at low speeds. Follow the list signal recognition system and the involuntary lane departure warning.

As standard it would equip the Toyota Touch 2 navigation system, but optionally the Toyota Touch 2 & Go, which is operated through the same 7-inch touch screen and which Significantly improves connectivity via bluetooth and also allows access to smartphone applications. The total price of our unit amounts to 21.650 Euros, a good quality/price that you can see broken down below with the equipment and price tables.

hybrid experience

give us the keys of the Auris Hybrid and we go straight for him. We go inside, adjust the seat and mirrors, look at the small gear lever and get ready to press the button to starting the engine. And then we don't notice anything, just silence. The "Ready" indicator on the dash tells us that the car is started. So we lower the handbrake, put the change in position D, release the brake and accelerate. The feeling that the car moves forward being propelled by the electric motor and in full stealth it is entirely satisfactory.

Suddenly we began to notice a strange feeling of being in communion with the environment, since we move without spending a single drop of fuel and without emitting any CO2. But nothing lasts forever and when we are going to merge onto the highway and step on the accelerator more forcefully, the gasoline engine wakes up and delivers its power. Notably soundproofing of the passenger compartment is an aspect that has improved a lot and that with the gasoline engine running hardly any noise reaches us.

Let's go to theory. This Auris is a conventional gasoline hybrid. That means that on the one hand it has a motor of 1.8 four-cylinder petrol and Atkinson cycle that has 99 horsepower and 142 Nm, and on the other side has a electric motor that yields up to 37 CV. Therefore we have a joint power of 136 CV, which pass to the front wheels through the transmission e-CVT, which works as a sort of continuously variable. It also has a battery that is recharged by the movement of the car itself and does not need to be plugged into the network, as is the case with plug-in hybrids.

Silence, it rolls

We return to driving. Now that we know the system, we must say that it is the own car the one you choose What engine does it use at all times? We will have three driving modes that we will explain later, but who makes the final decision of which propulsion to use is the vehicle. This means that with the battery charged the start and the first meters will be in all-electric mode and silent. So will parking and other low-speed maneuvers.

As soon as we exceed 50 km/h the car will decide that it is too much for the small electric motor and the electric motor will also turn on. gasoline to support you. We must highlight the refinement with which this change occurs, because if we notice it at the sound level, but there is hardly a jump in terms of the push we perceive from the inside. This is one of the keys to the Auris Hybrid, which will allow smooth driving and looking to play with this change between engines.

Because there are cars that invite you to get all their benefits, however in the Toyota Auris Hybrid, the tendency is to get roll in electric. Like a kind of addiction, you seek to hear the silence of the electric, worthy of a Fujitsu ad. And it is that it is necessary to be clear from the beginning that this car does not have sporting aspirations, nor does it pretend to. The land where it works best it is in the city, where at low speeds we can roll without any expense.

e-CVT drive and transmission modes

The Auris Hybrid has three driving modes that can be chosen by pressing the buttons located on the center console, near the handbrake. First, EV mode, try to use the electric motor as long as possible, as long as there is charge in the battery. As we have said, it will be at low speeds and without requiring it, because otherwise the gasoline will enter. The same thing happens in the Eco Mode, which seeks to reduce consumption using the combination of both engines. The PWR Mode It is the most performant, it also combines both mechanics but to get the most out of it.

The Toyota Auris Hybrid uses a gear change e-CVT which works as a continuous variator. Normally we are used to changes that have gears that are happening, with small jumps between one and the other. Here however, there are no marches to use. Therefore the thrust is continuous, without jumps and it does not allow to play with the revolutions.

Inside no rev counter instead a needle indicates three parameters. In the lower part it shows if the battery is charging, this is achieved with the movement of the wheels without accelerating and also thanks to the regenerative braking. This sometimes makes the pedal feel a bit spongy and less precise than on other vehicles. To increase the charge of the battery there is a position in the change marked with "B". What it does is retain engine power to divert that power to the battery. It charges much faster, but sometimes we will notice that it brakes the vehicle too much and increases the noise.

In the middle part is the echo meter, that when we go in electric it places the needle halfway down and when we go with gasoline with little consumption it is halfway up. The upper part is the Power part, lights up orange and it means that both engines are running at full capacity. Note that when we go full throttle and get to this top of the meter, the noise starts to get louder inside. By not having gears, the thrust will come continuously and the sensation will be somewhat strange and even annoying if we demand a lot of power.

Consumption and conclusion

After gutting the entire operation of the Auris hybrid system, let's go with one of its advantages: consumption. As you may have already guessed, riding electric with zero consumption and zero emissions helps a lot. Homologates 3,5 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 79 g/km. In reality, consumption will increase, although at the end of the test it marks a few worthy 5,3 liters. It should be noted that moving through areas with a negative slope or wandering around the city in electric mode, it is possible to consume 4,5 liters. On the other hand, if we get into mountain roads or areas with steep slopes, we will suffer more and consumption will skyrocket above 6 liters at 100km.

Regarding dynamic aspects we can affirm that the Auris has a balanced chassis and a pretty good suspension. Despite not being a sports car, it is firmly on its feet and allows us to corner quite quickly and without rocking. Also absorbs imperfections of the ground without being neither dry nor spongy. We can say something similar about the address, since it is proportionate and intuitive and makes it an easy car to drive.

In summary, the Toyota Auris Hybrid 2015 becomes one of the best options from the Auris range. Being the one with the most power, with low consumption comparable to a diesel, it is postulated as a good car to move around the city with a clear conscience knowing that our emissions are contained. The softness and refinement of its hybrid system will be key, as well as the good quality/price ratio offered by a wide range of equipment among the 18.000 and 21.700 euros.

Equipment Toyota Auris Hybrid

Business:

• keyless start
• 4,2″ TFT color screen on the control panel
• LED taillights
• shark fin antenna
• LED daytime running lights
• Single zone air conditioner
• 15″ alloy wheels with 195/65R15 tires

Active (adds to Business):

• Rear electric windows
• toyota touch 2
• Rear view camera
• Front fog lamps

Feel! (add to Active):

• Electrically folding exterior mirrors
• Rain and light sensor
• Electrochromic interior mirror
• Tinted rear windows
• 17” alloy wheels with 215/45R17 (90D) – 225/45R17 tires
• Full LED directional headlights

Advance (adds to Feel!):

• Keyless entry and start
• Heated front seats
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Lane departure warning
• Intelligent High Beam Control (AHB)
• Recognition of traffic signs
• Parking assistant (SIPA)
• Pre-Crash Safety System (PCS)

Toyota Auris Hybrid Prices

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