THE Toyota Auris might not be the most scintillating car to drive but it will last reliably for many years.

There are five door hatch and estate versions in the range built from 2012 to the present day, so there's a good choice for many buyers.

It's a better looking car than the one that went before, and is also better dynamically, making it a good deal more fun to drive, and it has lower running costs.

Petrol engines are a 1.3 with 98bhp, but this offers pretty pedestrian performance, and a much quicker 1.6 with 130. Government economy for the 1.3 is a claimed 52mpg, while the 1.6 is 47.

There are two other engine options - a 1.4 diesel with 89bhp but capable of 74mpg, and a petrol/electric hybrid, combining a 1.8 engine with an electric motor and automatic gearbox.

This is capable of 74mpg too, and has low emissions of just 87grammes per kilometre.

From 2015, there was a raft of changes that included two new engines - a 1.6 diesel with 110bhp and 67mpg, and a 1.2 turbo petrol with 114bhp and capable of 58mpg.

At the same time, the design was updated to include new LED lights and a wider front bumper, more luxurious materials inside and a new seven-inch touchscreen.

The Auris is more involving to drive than previously thanks to revised steering and suspension. There's not much feel from the steering but enough to give confidence in the corners and it is direct. It handles reasonably well, with plenty of grip, and roll is kept to a minimum. It always feels secure and safe even when pushed very hard.

A range of safety systems come as standard and the all round disc brakes are excellent.

Comfort is very good over all surfaces, helped by excellent front seats, and road and wind noise are well subdued.

The interior is spacious, with room for five, there's lots of leg and headroom and the front seats support in all the right places.

Equipment in fairly lowly Active trim includes aircon, traction control and loads of airbags, while further up the range, Sport adds parking sensors, alloys, sports seats and an alarm.

Pay about £6,000 for a '12 12-reg 1.6 petrol TR, or £10,200 for a '15 15-reg 1.6 diesel Business Edition.