2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports Review: Space, Economy, Value

Introduction to the 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports Estate

The expansion of Toyota’s lineup in the mid-2010s brought forth a vehicle designed to capture the growing market segment of practical family transportation. The 2013 Auris Touring Sports represents a significant evolution in the brand’s approach to delivering spacious, economical vehicles that don’t compromise on comfort or reliability. This estate variant emerged as a direct response to consumer demand for vehicles offering exceptional cargo capacity without sacrificing the refinement synonymous with Toyota engineering.

Unlike traditional family wagons of previous decades, this model incorporates modern design philosophy while maintaining accessibility for everyday drivers. The introduction of the estate configuration expanded the original hatchback’s appeal, particularly for families requiring additional storage without transitioning to larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles. This strategic positioning establishes the Auris Touring Sports as a bridge between compact practicality and full-size wagon capability.

Design Elements and Exterior Styling

The visual presentation of the 2013 Auris Touring Sports draws heavily from Toyota’s contemporary design language, creating a cohesive aesthetic that balances modern sensibilities with functional form. The front fascia maintains consistency with the hatchback variant, featuring a distinctive narrow grille complemented by advanced LED daytime running lamps integrated into the headlight assemblies. This lighting configuration not only enhances visibility but also contributes to the vehicle’s premium appearance.

Where the estate truly distinguishes itself lies in its extended rear section. The bodywork stretches an additional 285 millimeters beyond the hatchback configuration, with every supplementary centimeter dedicated to expanding cargo volume. This extension is complemented by integrated aluminum roof rails that provide both functional utility and aesthetic continuity. A tailgate-mounted spoiler adds subtle visual aggression while serving practical aerodynamic purposes.

A particularly thoughtful design consideration emerges through the redesigned rear end, which incorporates a 100-millimeter reduction in rear sill height. This engineering decision substantially facilitates loading heavier items and everyday cargo, transforming a design element into tangible user benefit. The overall proportions maintain visual balance despite the extended length, avoiding the awkward appearance that sometimes characterizes estate vehicles.

Interior Space and Storage Solutions

The transformation from hatchback to estate becomes immediately apparent upon opening the rear hatch. The cargo compartment provides 530 litres of initial volume, establishing a foundation for practical daily use. Beneath the primary cargo floor sits an intelligently conceived under-floor storage compartment, maximizing utilization of otherwise wasted space.

Toyota’s engineering team implemented the ‘Easy-Flat’ system, which represents a particularly clever approach to maximizing flexibility. This mechanism permits rear seat collapse directly from within the cargo area, transforming the vehicle into a vast transportation platform capable of accommodating 1,658 litres of total volume. This configuration delivers class-leading capacity, enabling users to transport everything from weekly shopping to significant household goods without requiring a larger vehicle.

An important consideration for hybrid model buyers: the battery placement beneath the rear seats means capacity remains identical to conventionally powered variants, ensuring no compromise in practicality regardless of powertrain selection. This design choice demonstrates thoughtful engineering that refuses to sacrifice functionality in pursuit of alternative propulsion technologies.

Practical Storage Features

• Multiple internal storage compartments including generous door bins and cup holders
• Large glove box with organizational capacity for documents and vehicle essentials
• Dashboard design incorporating thoughtfully placed storage pockets
• Roof rails enabling secure external cargo attachment
• Under-floor cubby providing concealed storage for valuables or frequently needed items

Engine Performance and Driving Experience

The 2013 Auris Touring Sports presents consumers with multiple powertrain options, each tailored to specific driving priorities and preferences. The entry-level 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i engine establishes a foundation for economical operation, appealing to drivers prioritizing fuel efficiency over outright performance. This configuration delivers adequate power for urban and suburban driving while maintaining impressive fuel consumption figures.

The 1.6-litre Valvematic engine represents the performance-oriented middle ground, available across multiple trim levels. This engine exhibits smooth, refined characteristics with particular competency in highway cruising. While not delivering dramatic acceleration, the 1.6 achieves respectable output with 132 horsepower at 6,400 revolutions per minute and 160 newton-meters of torque at 4,400 rpm. The six-speed manual transmission complements this engine, providing engagement for those preferring manual control while facilitating the claimed combined economy of 45.6 miles per gallon.

The 1.4-litre D-4D diesel variant appeals to high-mileage drivers, offering exemplary fuel economy and reduced running costs. Contemporary reviews consistently praise this engine variant for its quiet, frugal operation, particularly evident during extended motorway journeys.

Perhaps most intriguing is the 1.8-litre hybrid option, reserved for Icon and Excel trim levels. This powertrain combines conventional petrol power with electrical assistance, creating a synergy that delivers impressive fuel efficiency without sacrificing practical performance. Reviewers specifically highlight the hybrid’s effectiveness in real-world conditions, describing it as genuinely economical rather than merely theoretically efficient.

Performance Specifications

Comfort and Interior Refinement

The Auris Touring Sports demonstrates particular excellence in the area of interior comfort, an attribute often overlooked in practical vehicles. Enhanced sound insulation throughout the cabin creates a serene environment, particularly appreciated during extended highway driving. This acoustic refinement distinguishes the estate variant from its hatchback sibling, acknowledging the different use patterns of estate owners who frequently undertake longer journeys.

Climate control systems maintain consistent cabin temperature automatically, eliminating manual adjustments throughout the drive. The heating and ventilation architecture demonstrates thoughtful consideration of passenger comfort across varying seasons. Seat design balances support with comfort, accommodating both short urban trips and extended highway voyages without fatigue.

Electric power steering, tuned specifically for the Touring Sports configuration, provides responsive handling at low speeds while maintaining stability at highway velocities. Though not delivering the tactile feedback of mechanical steering systems, the electric unit performs admirably within its class, proving sufficient for most driving scenarios.

Trim Levels and Equipment Provisions

Toyota’s structure for the Touring Sports mirrors the broader Auris range, establishing an accessible entry point with the Active trim and progressing through Icon and Sport configurations to the comprehensive Excel variant. This graduated approach ensures customers can select equipment levels matching their specific requirements and budgetary constraints.

All trim levels include foundational safety and convenience features: seven strategically positioned airbags provide comprehensive occupant protection, automatic air conditioning eliminates manual climate control, integrated roof rails prove ready for cargo attachment, and follow-me-home lighting functionality enables safe nighttime approach to the vehicle. Hill-start Assist Control prevents unintended rollback on inclines, while Vehicle Stability Control continually monitors and corrects dynamic handling characteristics.

The Icon trim represents the expected volume seller, introducing alloy wheels, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, rear parking camera assistance, and DAB digital radio reception. Notably, these features aren’t universally available on competing vehicles at comparable pricing, establishing the Auris as exceptional value. LED daytime running lamps appear across all configurations, enhancing visibility and providing contemporary visual presentation.

Value Proposition and Market Position

The 2013 Auris Touring Sports enters a competitive market segment featuring formidable rivals including the Ford Focus Estate, Renault Mégane Sport Tourer, and Kia cee’d Sportswagon. Despite facing established competition, the Auris establishes a compelling case through its combination of practicality, refinement, and equipment generosity.

Pricing establishes accessibility, with the range commencing at £15,595 and the tested Excel configuration requiring £21,350. This positioning acknowledges different customer profiles while maintaining reasonable progression between trim levels. The comprehensive equipment inclusion across the range, particularly on mid-level Icon variants, delivers measurable value compared to competitors offering similar features at premium pricing.

Long-term ownership considerations favor the Auris through Toyota’s reputation for reliability and durability. Parts availability remains straightforward, servicing costs remain competitive, and resale values maintain respectable trajectories. For buyers prioritizing dependability and straightforward ownership experience over driving excitement, the business case proves compelling.

Emissions and Environmental Considerations

The tested 1.6-litre petrol configuration produces 139 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, positioning it respectably within environmental considerations for its time. The diesel variant achieves superior emissions performance, while the hybrid option delivers exceptional environmental credentials. These specifications acknowledge evolving environmental awareness without penalizing drivers through excessive operating costs or compromised practicality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cargo capacity does the Auris Touring Sports provide?

The vehicle offers 530 litres of baseline cargo space, expandable to 1,658 litres through the Easy-Flat rear seat collapse mechanism, establishing class-leading capacity for practical family use.

Which engine option suits high-mileage drivers?

The 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine delivers exceptional fuel economy and quiet operation, proving ideal for drivers accumulating substantial annual mileage.

Does the hybrid option compromise cargo capacity?

No—battery placement beneath rear seats ensures hybrid models maintain identical cargo capacity to conventional variants, eliminating typical hybrid compromises.

What safety features are standard across all trim levels?

Seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, and Hill-start Assist Control appear on every configuration, establishing consistent safety provisions regardless of trim selection.

How does the Auris Touring Sports compare to competitors?

The Auris delivers competitive practicality while often exceeding rivals in equipment inclusion at comparable pricing, particularly notable in Icon trim configurations.

Summary and Final Considerations

The 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports succeeds through unassuming competence rather than dramatic innovation. It prioritizes the fundamentals—generous space, refined operation, straightforward reliability, and sensible economics—over contrived excitement or aggressive styling. For families requiring spacious practical transportation without excessive expenditure or complexity, the Auris Touring Sports delivers genuine value. The range of powertrain options accommodates different priorities, while consistent equipment inclusion across trim levels ensures no customer feels compromised. In a market sometimes dominated by overstated claims and unnecessary complication, Toyota’s honest approach to estate car design proves refreshingly authentic.