The Toyota Auris->ke1984 hit the global market in 2006 and quickly became known as a roomier version of the Toyota Corolla->ke1039. The brand introduced a hybrid->ke147 version in 2010, and an overall refresh in 2012. For 2015, Toyota->ke88 has given the Auris a makeover from the ground up, focusing on design, sensory quality, safety, and powertrains. The exterior of the Auris was redesigned with a much sportier appearance similar to that seen on the Toyota Corolla. Inside, the car got a more premium ambiance, with a new instrument cluster with a digital display, new soft-touch surfaces, and a cross-over type rear with folding rear seats. Under the hood, it’s all about fuel economy with a host of engines ranging in size from 1.2-liters up to 1.6-liters and output somewhere between 89 horsepower and 130 horsepower. It won’t go fast, but you can grab one for less than $20,000 before taxes, options and delivery, and you’ll certainly see some fuel savings throughout the year.

All told, the Auris is simply a wagon version of the Corolla, but it’s surprisingly sporty and nice for a car that is generally slow. The hybrid version has been a big hit in the past, with it accounting for more than half of Auris sales in western Europe – that’s at least 200,000 more than any other hybrid on the market. Interested in hearing what all that buzz is about? Check out our full review of the third-generation Auris below.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Toyota Auris.

Exterior

The exterior looks of the Auris take after Toyota’s current design language and follow along the same lines as the Corolla. The front has a rather aggressive V design with is chrome grille that splits and surrounds the headlights. The lower grille incorporates glossy black trim surrounding the fog lights.

Around the side are either 16- or 17-inch wheels, depending on trim level. The lower portions of the car, especially towards the rear, have been redesigned to help visually broaden the car’s stance.

The rear of the Auris has a large bumper that protects the lift gate from damage while housing reflectors, chrome trim, and the license plate. Up above, the taillights finalize the beltline that runs from the headlights and along the side windows. The lights mirror the shapes of the headlights as well, namely the sideways V shape.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior has been completely redesigned for a more premium presence. All of the touch points have been upgraded to give a crisper, more high-quality appearance. Engineers added more sound deadening material along the cowl, dashboard, and transmission tunnel for a quieter ride. Adding to that are extra seals along the doors for reduced wind noise. Two sets of cloths seats are available.

The dashboard takes on niceties of its own with what Toyota says is less visual mass. The instrument cluster is now sportier with dials sitting within tubed binnacles. A new 4.2-inch TFT display sits between the gauges and shows vehicle and trip information.

The Auris’ overall interior design meshes together cues found in other Toyota cars. The majority of the dashboard is very reminiscent of the current Corolla, including the infotainment screen, while the center console in the hybrid model features a sloping design that pulls cues from the Prius, including the joystick-style gearshift.

Of course, much of the Auris’ allure is its wagon-style cargo area. With folding rear seats, the car offers crossover-like room with none of the high-riding, fuel-guzzling tradeoffs.

Drivetrain

The Auris’ powertrain options are all very fuel-efficient. A new 1.2-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct injection is added to a gasoline lineup that also includes includes the 1.33-liter VVT-i and the 1.6-liter Valvematic four-cylinders. Toyota is also adding a new 1.6-liter D-4D diesel engine. This replaces the outgoing 2.0-liter diesel in a few European markets outside the U.K. The 1.4-liter D-4D received some welcomed upgrades.

Lastly, the 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain is revised to produces less NOx and particulate emissions than before, while getting an extended electric-only battery range. The system allows the car to move under full electric power for up to two kilometers, or 1.2 miles, at 30 mph.

Toyota offers two transmission choices in the Auris – a six-speed manual transmission and the Multidrive S CVT. The CVT is offered with both the 1.2-liter and 1.6-liter engines. It offers both a fully automatic mode and a Sport mode that simulates a seven-speed transmission.

Other improvement include new mapping within the electronic power steering system that increases steering weight as the vehicle speeds up. Toyota says this increases feedback between 35 and 50 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Safety

As with any family car worth its salt, the Auris comes with a full complement of safety features. The Euro NCAP rates the previous generation at five stars, so it’s expected the 2015 model will follow suit. New safety equipment includes the optional Toyota Safety Sense Pack. The package offers a Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, automatic high beams, and Road Sign Assist. The latter works by a compact laser and camera mounted at the top of the windshield.

Prices

Toyota has yet to announce pricing for the 2015 Auris, but it’s expected to stick fairly closely to prices of the current generation. The starting price for a base example is £19,995, or $21,500 at current exchange rates.

Competition

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

Volkswagen’s offering in the compact hatch segment is the Golf. Equipped with its 2.0-liter TDI engine, the Golf is good for an impressive 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque while getting 35 mpg combined. The TDI is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or the DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Besides its powertrain, the Golf offers a very grown-up approach to a compact hatch. Its interior takes after VW’s Audi division while still looking somewhat youthful.

Prices for the Golf Hatchback start at $21,995 here in the U.S. and rise to just under $30,000.

Ford Focus Hatchback

Save for Volkswagen, perhaps it’s Ford whose made the biggest splash in the global hatchback market. The leading player from the blue oval is the Focus, offering a sportier and more youthful demeanor. Behind the six-sided grille lies a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost with dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, and direct fuel injection. For those who want some real performance, Ford offers the Focus ST powered by the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder.

Prices for the Ford start around the $17,000 mark in the U.S. and grow into the mid-$30,000 range for the Focus Electric.

Conclusion

The updates to the Auris should help further its dominance in its global segments, especially western Europe where the Auris hybrid already enjoys a huge following. Its upgraded interior with the added sound deadening and high-class material choices, along with the large array of engine upgrades, should only add fuel to the fire.

Expect to see the updated Auris in dealers beginning in the fall. Sadly, Toyota will again keep this diesel-powered, manual-shift wagon off U.S. soil.