Toyota

Toyota

Toyota Prius (2009-2015)

Richard Dredge ·

Mention the word ‘hybrid’ to someone and the chances are they’ll think of the Toyota Prius, first seen in the UK in 2000 and made in vast numbers since. While the first edition was uninspiring in many ways, it created a template for future generations of a car that has become increasingly usable and better to drive, if not exactly fun. The Prius has evolved to impress in many ways from its low running costs and excellent practicality to its superb reliability and the potential for tiny fuel bills. However, many buyers opt for a Prius because of its economy, but how it’s driven makes a massive difference to the economy it delivers – much more than a conventionally powered car. So before you buy a Prius, make sure thatthe roads you use and the way you drive aren’t better suited to a cheaper, conventionally powered car.

Key dates

8/09: The Prius Mk3 arrives in the UK, with better performance, lower emissions and more standard equipment than its predecessor. In place of the previous 1.5-litre petrol engine there is a 1.8-litre unit and buyers can choose between T3, T4 and T Spirit trims.

10/10: The 10th Anniversary special edition is limited to 1000 examples, with body kit, 17-inch alloys and black leather trim.

1/12: A facelifted Prius is introduced, with a tweaked nose, higher-quality interior and revised suspension for an improved ride. There are also improved multimedia and navigation options.

3/12: There’s now a plug-in Prius with a 14-mile range in pure electric mode.

Checklist

  • That wind-cheating shape cuts fuel costs but hampers rear visibility, so check you can see out.
  • The Mk3 engine needs 0W20 oil; the 5W30 used in earlier Priuses increases fuel consumption and cuts performance.
  • To keep costs and weight to a minimum, Toyota doesn’t provide a spare wheel of any kind, not even a space saver.
  • Most people buy a Prius to enjoy spectacular fuel economy, but don’t assume you’ll automatically get close to the official 72mpg.
  • Rattles from the dashboard are common, and getting rid of them can be impossible. The excellent refinement makes things more obvious.

We like

  • Usability
  • Reliability
  • Potential economy
  • Refinement

We don’t like

  • Dynamically dull
  • Costly to buy
  • Firm ride

Toyota

Toyota Aygo (2005-2014)

Richard Dredge ·

When Toyota teamed up with Peugeot-Citroen to launch a new economy car in 2005, it set the cat among the pigeons. Here was a youthful city car that blended low purchase and running costs with a feel-good factor often absent from the segment. Perfect for zipping around town and great fun to drive on the open road, the Aygo is ideal for anyone keen to cut their motoring costs to the bone. The Aygo is far from cutting-edge in terms of safety and refinement and it’s not the most spacious city car around, but few cars are as cheap to run, thanks to the fuel-efficient engine and decent levels of reliability. 

 

Key dates

7/05: The Aygo arrives in standard, Aygo+ and Sport+ forms, with a 67bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a choice of three or five-door hatchback bodystyles. 

1/06: A short-lived 1.4 diesel is introduced.

1/09: The high-spec Blue and Black appear and CO2 emissions are cut to 106g/km.

3/12: CO2 emissions are cut further, to 99g/km when the Aygo is facelifted with an improved interior, extra equipment plus a redesigned front end. 

8/13: A final refresh brings new trims and standard ESP.

 

Checklist

  • Catalytic converters fail, so put the car through an MoT for an emissions check.
  • Clutches get damp from leaky bellhousings, leading to corrosion and premature wear; check for slipping.
  • There’s no temperature gauge, so it’s hard to tell if the engine is running hot.
  • The tailgate and rear light seals can leak, allowing water into the boot.
  • Water pumps can leak or fail on the petrol and diesel engines; look for signs of coolant leaks.
  • Exhaust back boxes can rot out in little more than two years, so listen for blowing.
  • The rear wheel brake cylinders can so look for fluid on the brake back plates and check the system’s fluid level.

 

We like

  • Cute styling
  • Low purchase costs
  • Low running costs
  • Reliability
  • Ready availability

 

We don’t like

  • Lacks safety kit
  • Not that refined
  • Cramped cabin
  • Tiny boot

Toyota

Toyota Auris (2007-2013)

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The Toyota Auris has often had a rough ride in the press, thanks to its white goods nature. Designed to appeal to those who see their cars as mere transport, rather than something to enjoy driving, the Auris is one of those cars that gets on quietly doing its job, failing to inspire, but actually doing a pretty good job. So while this Focus rival is reliable, cheap to run and decently practical too, its bland styling and so-so driving experience guarantee you’ll never hear an Auris owner getting excited by their car. But if you’re after cheap, anonymous and dependable transport, then look no further.

Key dates

2/07: The Auris supersedes the Corolla with 1.4 or 1.6-litre petrol (VVT-i) engines plus 1.4 or 2.0-litre (D-4D) diesels. There are three- or five-door hatches with T2, T3 or T-Spirit trims.

3/07: A 175bhp 2.2 D-4D debuts.

4/08: SR and TR trims join the range

7/08: A 1.4 D-4D engine is introduced and the 1.4 VVT-i engine is replaced by a 1.33-litre unit with stop/start.

7/10: The hybrid Auris (1.8 HSD) appears.

5/11: A range refresh brings extra kit for most models, plus the Edition replaces T2 trim.

Checklist

  • The regular Auris has a reasonably sized 354-litre boot, but the hybrid edition cuts this to just 279 litres.
  • Automatic gearboxes aren’t very reliable; they can be reluctant to change gear, or changes can be jerky.
  • On manual cars, clutches can fail prematurely, so feel for slipping which suggests a new clutch is due.
  • Squealing brakes aren’t unusual. Many cars got new parts under warranty.
  • There have been instances of gearboxes being replaced under warranty, because they chatter so noisily.
  • The handbrake can fail to hold the car on an incline. Adjustment usually sorts things, but as a precaution, leave the car in gear.
  • Water in the spare wheel well is usually because the air vents behind the rear wheels have leaked – or it could be the rear light units letting in water.

We like

  • Practicality
  • Reliability
  • Comfort
  • Build quality
  • Spacious cabin

We don’t like

  • Stodgy dynamics
  • Bland design

 

Richard Dredge

Toyota

Toyota Previa (2000-2007)

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If you're looking for a truly capacious people carrier, your choices aren't as wide-ranging as you might think. However, one car that should definitely be on your list is the Previa, which offers room aplenty, along with excellent build quality and decent kit levels too. However, it's not the best MPV to drive - especially in automatic petrol form - but as an overall ownership package this is one people carrier that's well worth a closer look.

Key Dates

7/00: An all-new Previa is launched with a 2.4-litre petrol engine only.

5/01: A 2.0-litre turbodiesel is introduced, the 2.0 D-4D.

8/01: All cars get climate control with separate controls for the rear.

6/03: A facelift brings new nose and tail design plus extra standard equipment. Also, the GS, GLS and CDX trims become T2, T3 and T Spirit respectively.

Toyota Previa (2000-2007) Checklist

  • There are lots of independent imports about, so make sure you know what you're buying. Check specifications carefully.
  • If the engine intermittently cuts out and the fault cannot be diagnostically traced it may be due to a faulty safety fuel cut-off solenoid switch.
  • Diesel-engined Previas can suffer from cutting out which is caused by a build up of salts on a hot wire in the airflow sensor.
  • The 2.4 petrol Previa can suffer from lambda probe failures, which can get expensive because the exhaust system has four of them.

We Like

  • Sharp styling
  • Space
  • Reliability
  • Practicality

We Don't Like

  • Indifferent dynamics
  • Too many grey imports
  • Petrol engine

Toyota

Toyota Verso (2002-2007)

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If you want to carry seven people but you don't want a full-sized MPV, your options are surprisingly limited - but not as much as you might think. One seven-seater compact MPV which has been around for years, but which is still largely unknown, is Toyota's brilliantly practical Verso. Well equipped, safe, dependable, flexible and spacious, it's also very easy to use and own. It's also far less common than its rivals; perhaps it's time to look beyond the obvious?

Key Dates

12/01: Toyota launches the five-seater Corolla Verso with 1.6 or 1.8-litre petrol engines plus a 2.0 turbodiesel.

5/04: An all-new seven-seater Corolla Verso arrives; it looks like its predecessor and has the same engine range as before.

11/05: A 2.2-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine replaces the 2.0-litre unit; it's also offered in sporty 175bhp form.

2/07: A mild facelift brings fresh front and rear lights plus extra standard equipment.

Toyota Verso (2002-2008) Checklist

  • The optional DVD player can get bashed, leading to reliability problems.
  • The front brake discs are prone to scoring.
  • An actuator problem can leave MMT (CVT automatic) cars with no usable gears.
  • Petrol engines can use a litre of oil every 600 miles, so make sure it hasn't been running on empty.
  • The paintwork chips easily, particularly on the leading edge of the bonnet.
  • Some of the interior plastics aren't very durable; the steering wheel can delaminate.
  • The light cluster seals can fail, leading to water getting in. Look for condensation inside.

We Like

  • Reliability
  • Practicality
  • Refinement
  • Equipment levels

We Don't Like

  • Dull design
  • High used prices

Toyota

Toyota Avensis (1997-2002)

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Toyota doesn't have a great reputation for creating enthusiasts' cars, but this car took the principle of car-as-white-goods to the extreme; it's terminally bland to drive, as well as to look at and live with. However, aside from some glitches with the petrol engines, the cars are generally superbly reliable - although throwing a wobbly is often the only thing of interest that an Avensis can offer.

Key Dates

11/97: Avensis introduced in saloon, estate and hatchback forms, with a choice of 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 petrol engines or a 2.0 turbodiesel.

10/99: The excellent 2.0 D-4D turbodiesel engine arrives.

8/00: The whole range is facelifted, with a revised nose and more generous equipment levels, plus a new petrol engine design.

10/01: Revised 1.8 and 2.0 D-4D SR join the range; they're mechanically the same as the GS editions.

Toyota Avensis (1997-2002) Checklist

  • Early cars (1997 and 1998) can suffer from leaking power-assisted steering racks. They can also sound clunky, but greasing will usually fix this.
  • These early examples can also suffer from leaky fuel tanks.
  • Some clutches have proved to wear prematurely, while the gearbox bearings can prove weak, so listen for whining or rumbling when cruising.
  • Some reports of premature clutch and gearbox failures. Isolated report of problems with immobiliser.
  • The rear wheel cylinders can leak brake fluid.
  • Diesel engines can suffer from a slipping alternator drive belt.
  • Pre-facelift (August 2000) cars can use a lot of oil; as much as a litre every 1000 miles.

We Like

  • Reliablility
  • Value

We Don't Like

  • Styling
  • Dynamics
  • Bland interior