Toyota Aurion 2012 review: snapshot

Toyota has put a $50,000 cap on its new Aurion. That's the most you'll pay for this substantially upgraded second-generation flagship of Toyota's locally-made models. There is also a cap on servicing costs, covering four years or 75,000km for the first five service periods.

The Aurion ranks No.3 in large car sales, behind the Commodore and Falcon. Despite a 21 per cent slide in large car sales last year, including a 24 per cent fall in Aurion sales, Toyota is determined to lift its share from 12 per cent to 15 per cent this year.

Lighter and slightly larger but with a similar silhouette to its predecessor, the focus in the new Aurion is on improving comfort and interior space, reducing fuel use and fine-tuning steering, brakes and suspension.

PRICES

Toyota has stuck with the five model line-up. The entry level AT-X is $36,490, an increase of $500, but comes with additional equipment and features. It is followed by the Prodigy at $41,490 (unchanged), the Presara at $49,990 (unchanged), the Sportivo SX6 at $40,990 (unchanged) and the Sportivo ZR6 at $47,990 (up $4500 to cover equipment similar to the Presara).

The AT-X gains a driver's knee airbag, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, audio display, a split rear seat and a full-sized spare tyre. The Presara comes with blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam switching and a JBL digital audio system. Both SX6 and ZR6 offer paddle shift and sports mode.

Options for the AT-X include 17-inch alloy wheels at $500 and leather trim at $1500. A moon-roof is a $1950 option on the Prodigy, Sportivo SX and ZR6.

ENGINES AND MECHANICAL

Output from the 3.5-litre V6 engine is unchanged at 200kW and 336Nm, but a taller final drive is matched to the six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission.

This improves fuel efficiency by 6 per cent and cuts exhaust emissions by 8 per cent. Combined cycle fuel economy is 9.3 litres/100km and CO2 emissions are 215g/km.

DRIVING

The Aurion was already known for its silence, and the new model is about 10 per cent quieter inside. Extensive local testing has refined the ride and sharpened the handling.

The front seats are taller and wider, with more back and lower body support. The steering column has a more natural angle and a wider tilt range and the relationship between the driver's seat and the accelerator has improved.

In the rear seats, there are new cushions and seat backs and a 31mm increase in headroom. Rear legroom gains 46mm.

Small but effective changes include a lower load lip for the boot, more storage in the centre console and a 60:40 split folding rear seat back rest now on all models.

Other changes include a stronger body, electric power-steering, enhanced stability controls, improved stopping power and brake pedal feel and a brake-force over-ride function that gives priority to the brakes if the brake and accelerator pedal are pressed simultaneously.