TOYOTA Auris 3 Doors Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Toyota tried to split its compact-segment contender into two lines of vehicles: the Corolla, which was offered as a sedan, and the Auris, which was a three- or five-door hatchback.

Since the Japanese automaker thought that the younger generations won't be too attracted by the Corolla, which was an old nameplate, it created the Auris (Gold, in Latin). Besides the five-door hatchback, which targeted families with small children, Toyota also offered the hatchback with a three-door option. Thus, the car's fresh look directly attacked the Golf.

With the new model, Toyota introduced a fresh, young design language. It featured a front fascia with horizontal lines, making the car look wider and sportier. Its angular-shaped headlights resembled those installed on the Avensis and the Yaris but still had their personality. From its profile, the three-door bodywork showed an ascending beltline that ended with an upward kick at the C-pillar. Thus, the automaker had created a sporty look for this hatchback.

But Toyota didn't create exactly a young-oriented cabin. The front bucket seats from the Auris were mounted higher than in the Golf or other similar vehicles, save for the Civic hatchback from Honda. But still, it featured a tall center console connected to the center stack through a sloped bridge that hosted the gear stick (or the gear selector). For the multimedia system, the carmaker offered a few choices depending on the trim level, named Terra (Earth) for the base level, Luna (Moon) as the mid-level, and Sol (Sun) for the highest level. A navigation system was on the options list. At the back, the split-folding bench could accommodate up to three people on short jaunts.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a choice of seven engines, either gasoline or turbo-diesel. Some of them were available with an automatic gearbox.