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The Toyota Auris is now becoming a familiar sight on UK roads. It replaced the Toyota Corolla – the world’s best-selling car –and has received some criticism for looking very similar to its predecessor. However, it fits neatly into the manufacturer’s model range, complementing the Yaris’s “big small” with “short and tall”. The Toyota Auris SR adds 17-inch alloy wheels, rear tailgate spoiler, smoked glass headlamps and dark-tinted rear privacy glass over other models in the range to enhance the car’s sporty credentials.

The Toyota Auris SR is only available with the 175bhp 2.2-litre (there are four further engines – two petrol and two diesel - available for other models in the range). The D-4D 180 engine used in the SR comes from Toyota’s Avensis model with power delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox. It helps the car cover 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds and can achieve a maximum speed of 130mph. This performance is the biggest single difference between driving the SR and one of the other models in the range. Putting your foot down produces an instantaneous, powerful response.