For two generations, Toyota’s compact mid-sized car in Europe did not live as Corolla, but as Auris. The second in particular was a true public favorite in our country, although this was probably due to the addition percentage rather than the unremarkable appearance. That appearance was tightened somewhat in 2015.
The first Auris was presented in 2006 as the replacement for only the hatchback versions of the Corolla, as the sedan and station wagon variant were allowed to remain under that name for a while. The name “Auris” was supposed to make it forget the somewhat dusty image of the Corolla and therefore really meant a new start. Yet the car was “just” a Corolla successor in every way. If the Corolla was drowsy, then the Auris certainly was.
The second generation appeared in 2012. The Corolla sedan was not given a successor and the station wagon version was now also called Auris, so that the name Corolla disappeared from the scene at least in the Netherlands. The Touring Sports (TS) version proved to be very popular in the Netherlands. Not illogical: the car combined as a hybrid low addition with a lot of interior space. The economical, reliable hybrid drivetrain and standard automatic transmission also make it a sensible purchase for the used car buyer.
All very beautiful, but today the appearance is central. The Auris carriage was certainly not exciting or striking, although that applies to more cars in this segment. At the same time, the second generation with its clean and simple lines was somewhat more digestible than the first Auris, which was assigned a very convex and high carriage.
The somewhat V-shaped front of the second Auris was neatly split in two by the logo. The headlights were neatly arranged on both sides with half of the grille, which in turn was divided horizontally in half by the only visible slat. The tidy front bumper received one large air intake, assisted at the top by a piece of gray plastic on which the license plate is housed. The whole was in most cases bordered by a chrome frame.
In 2016, as usual, it was mainly the front where the change took place. At a quick glance it all seems to be not so bad. In later editions, the logo serves as the central point where everything comes together, while the shape of the headlights seems to have changed little. However, the light units are certainly completely new. The edition 2 lamps are mounted on top and inside in chrome, a frame that covers the entire width of the front. The bumper loses its chrome. The central air inlet gives way to a wider one, which now also houses the fog lamps.
The new light units are particularly noticeable at the rear. The traditional arrangement with red, white and orange-colored glass gives way to light beacons in dark red and white, naturally filled with LED technology.
The current Corolla would initially receive the name Auris, but shortly after the unveiling Toyota decided not to. The car not only has its world-famous name back, but it has also been given a sharper appearance and a more appealing driving behavior.