Toyota Aurion AT-X Car Review

The Toyota Aurion AT-X has won the 2007 Australia's Best Large Car category.

"Looking at the Aurion, it's easy to be dazzled by the numbers: 200kW of power, a six-speed automatic transmission, six airbags, impressive fuel consumption plus electronic stability. Priced competitively and backed by Toyota's strong reputation, it's a worthy second-time winner." say the judges of Australia's Best Cars.

Run your eye over the Aurion's aggressive, solid style and it takes a little time before you realise it's a clever re-jig of the Camry. Essentially only the cabin architecture carries over from its four cylinder sibling.

Replacing the über-conservative and less powerful Avalon, the Aurion's larger 3.5 litre V6 and long list of standard safety equipment are major pluses. Add the strength of the Toyota "brand" and most buyers are probably convinced before they even drive the car. But how does it rate?

Value for money

Pricing

At $34,990 our test AT-X is the entry level model and compares favourably to the Holden Commodore Omega - $34,490 and Ford Falcon XT - $35,990. Mitsubishi's 380 ES auto - $29,990 and Hyundai's similarly priced Sonata SLX 3.3 V6 definitely win on price when looking at base models. But for similar money Mitsubishi have the 380 SX auto - $34,990, and Hyundai have the top of the range Elite - $35,240.

Standard features

For your money the AT-X includes: airconditioning, remote central locking, power windows, cruise control, auto-on projector headlights, six speaker CD sound system, tilt-reach adjustable steering wheel and power adjustable driver's seat.

Options fitted to our car included rear spoiler - $500, 16" alloy wheels - $650 and metallic paint - $300.

Design & function

Space & practicality

This is a family size car, so there's plenty of room. Entry and exit are easy through the wide opening doors, and there are lots of storage pockets including a double deck compartment between the front seats.

The large boot shouldn't find you caught short, but if you need more space the rear seat is fixed, and you'll have to make do with a locking "ski-hatch" for longer items. Rather than space saving double acting boot hinges, the Aurion retains the old fashioned type that can rob that last bit of room when you need it most.

Comfort

For the driver the power operated seat, including power lumbar adjustment is a plus. But there isn't a lot of support and over a long trip the seat starts to feel flat and firm, and the soft side bolsters give the impression you're falling out of the seat in corners. The sliding centre armrest is a plus and the tilt-reach steering wheel has a generous range of adjustment.

In the rear the seat is well shaped, but is a bit short in the cushion. A centre armrest is standard.

Ergonomics

It takes no time to feel at home in the Aurion. From the illuminated gauges to the switchgear everything is well laid out and easy to use. Even the foot operated parking brake manages to stay out of the way. Offset to the driver's side of the console, the six speed automatic's gearlever is perfectly positioned making manual use even better.

But the door mirrors can create sizeable blind spots, and if it wasn't for the optional rear spoiler, reversing would have required more guesswork.

Safety

Earning a four star ANCAP rating the list of standard safety features is extensive with: dual front airbags, side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, ABS braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), traction control and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). No other locally produced car offers the same level of equipment on its base model.

Build quality & finish

Traditionally Toyota's build quality has been the cornerstone of the brand and a benchmark for the opposition. Unfortunately our AT-X had some issues. Overall the paintwork and assembly were quite good. But the ventilation/airconditioning switches wobbled noticeably in their housing and felt cheap. A poorly fitted centre dash panel lost more points, with uneven gaps around its edge.

On a more subjective note the interior's overpowering light grey trim, even with its neat silver detailing, still looked bland.

Security

NRMA Insurance score the Aurion at 63/120. That's equal to the Sonata but well down from both the Mitsubishi 380 - 74.5/120 and Holden Omega - 73/120, with Ford's Falcon trailing the group at 57.5/120.

On the road

Fuel

With 200kW and a 3.5 litre V6 there's an expectation the big Toyota could guzzle its fuel. Not so. Our test average of 10.1l/100km almost matches the combined ADR figure of 9.9l/100km. The opposition's ADR results - Holden Omega - 10.9l/100km, Ford Falcon - 10.7l/100km, and Mitsubishi 380 ES - 10.8l/100km are thirstier. Only the Sonata gets close; its 3.3V6 returning an official combined figure of 10.1l/100km.

Our best real world figure of 9.3l/100km could embarrass some four cylinders, while our suburban figure of 11.8l/100km is equally impressive.

Performance

The Aurion's quiet V6 features variable valve timing and its seamless performance is one of the car's best attributes. Our test data shows the Aurion completing the 60 - 100km/h overtaking test in 4.8sec vs the Commodores 6.7sec. And its responsive nature is well suited to the six speed automatics almost imperceptible gearchanges.

Ride

It's where the tyres meet the road that the car starts to disappoint. At low speed the ride is a little firm across any bumps, and as speeds rise the suspension seems less able to absorb any irregularities.

Handling & steering

Contradicting the ride is the handling. There's noticeable body roll and the car's overall dynamic is soft and unrefined. Along secondary country roads the steering weight increases noticeably through the corners, and the rack and pinion system feels numb and uninformative.

Braking

One plus is the powerful braking system. There's plenty of information coming through the pedal and the four wheel discs produced impressive stopping power in our test. ABS with EBD and BA are standard.

Smoothness & quietness

The Aurion may not possess the same whisper quietness as a Lexus, but there's a hint of the luxury model's DNA in the car. Combine the engine and transmission's silky characters and the result is a package which is just as relaxing to drive in the city or on a long trip.