As the dominant market leader in SUVs, Toyota knows Australian new car buyers have been buying more of them and less large sedans. But with annual sales still north of 80,000 vehicles, Toyota says large cars are far from done and it’s not a market segment the Japanese giant plans to overlook.
Enter the all-new Toyota Aurion which boasts an improved 3.5-litre V6 engine, more interior space and – with extra standard equipment – even better value-for-money. Based as it is on the new Toyota Camry, this new second-generation Toyota Aurion looks much better – a strong, purposeful look befitting a large-size Aussie V6 sedan.
Toyota Aurion Overview
Toyota is maintaining its two-model stream for the all-new Aurion – the luxury range comprising AT-X, Prodigy and Presara variants and the sporty Sportivo team of SX6 and ZR6. For us, the standout is the sporty Sportivo ZR6 which could almost be considered as a sporty Presara…but requiring $2,000 less coin.
But regardless of the model, the value-for-money position of the all-new Toyota Aurion is the headline-grabber. Overlooking the improved styling, larger interior, enhanced refinement and reduced fuel consumption/emissions for one second, the only models to go up in price compared to the superseded range are the entry grade AT-X and SX6 but both have scored a standard reversing camera and display audio system just for starters.
As well as the reversing camera, other safety items contributing to Toyota Aurion’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating are seven airbags (including the first drivers’ kneebag for locally-built large sedans) adaptive headlights and blind spot monitors. Incidentally, that five-star rating is based on tougher 2012 ANCAP protocols which include increased pedestrian safety.
The new lineup is:
AT-X $36,490
Prodigy $41,490
Presara $49,990
Sportivo SX6 $40,990
Sportivo ZR6 $47,990
In terms of specifications, amongst its extras, Toyota Aurion Prodigy gains 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, metallic/mica paint, interior leather and electric rear sun blind. On top of that, Presara model additions include adaptive front lights (AFS), blind spot monitor, JBL premium audio, woodgrain and satellite navigation.
Turning to the Sportivo models, the main points are a good-looking sports bodykit, 17-inch alloy wheels and sports suspension. Sportivo ZR6 adds handy inclusions like sports pedals, sports seats, steering wheel paddle shifters, HID headlights and blind spot monitoring.
Toyota Aurion Engine
With good reason Toyota likes the 2GR-FE 3.5-litre V6 engine – as well as the Aurion this powerplant is used in Kluger, RAV, Tarago and the Lexus RX350. For this latest Aurion application, Toyota sought to deliver reduced fuel consumption and extra refinement.
Maximum power is 200kW at 6200rpm and peak torque of 336Nm arrives at 4700rpm.
Drive is to the front wheels via Toyota’s U660E six-speed automatic (this time with steering wheel paddle shifters featuring downchange throttle-blipping for Sportivo models).
A change in engine oil viscosity as well as flex start control for the transmission (and the overall weight reduction in excess of 55kgs) sees Toyota Aurion fuel consumption drop by 6.1 per cent to 9.3l/100kms (combined cycle) and exhaust C02 emissions down by 7.7 per cent to 215g/km.
Toyota Aurion The Interior
Partly you can thank Toyota Aurion buyers in Russia and China for the all-new model’s enhanced interior space – most owners there ride in the rear seat with a paid assistant doing the driving. So the extra 13mm of legroom and 15mm couple room in the rear will be appreciated.
Overall Toyota stylists were chasing a high-tech/craftsmanship look for the Aurion’s interior. This has been achieved with nice woodgrain, leather in Prodigy, Presara and Sportivo ZR6, re-sculptured dashboard and glovebox and even re-shaped arm-rests and roof lining.
The driving position has been improved thanks to a new angle and extra telescopic range for the steering wheel.
An acoustic windscreen and double seals for the side windows keep unwanted outside noise from seeping in – which assists listening to the two sound systems.
Toyota Aurion Presaro and Sportiva SV6 models run a 10-speaker JBL system with seven-inch touchscreen which includes satellite navigation and reversing camera images and DAB digital audio (the only car in Australia under $70,000 with DAB). Other variants use a six-speaker system with 6.1-inch screen.
The rear seat adopts a 60/40 split fold for load-through cargo versatility in the 515-litre boot (with full-size matching spare wheel).
Toyota Aurion Exterior & Styling
While based on the new Toyota Camry, in a twist of statistics, the exterior dimensions of the all-new Aurion are almost identical to its predecessor. Length is barely 10.0mm longer at 4835mm (4855mm for the two Sportivo models), width is 1825mm (5.0mm wider) and height is 1470mm.
Toyota’s stylists’ design keys for the new Aurion were: ‘Simple’, ‘Bold’, ‘Striking’ and ‘Luxurious’. We first saw the all-new Toyota Aurion parked adjacent to a Camry in the massive showroom of CMI Toyota in Adelaide and the differences between the two are marked.
Things get even sharper when you consider the Sportivo variants with their excellent sports bodykits and 17-inch alloy wheels. In fact it was a shame our Toyota Aurion Sportivo ZR6 test car was painted black as this camouflaged the radical black diffuser-elements in the rear bumper.
There are five new colours including unique paints for Sportivo and Presaro variants.
Toyota Aurion On The Road
Departing from Adelaide, Toyota sent us up into the Adelaide Hills to McLaren Vale and back to the airport. Car Showroom availed ourselves of a range-topping Toyota Aurion Presara for the outbound leg and a sporty Sportivo ZR6 for the trip back.
First things first - that glorious 3.5-litre remains one of our favourite V6 powerplants. Nicely responsive, throughout the rev range, Toyota’s 2GR-FE delivers its 200kW/336Nm with impressive refinement (although the U660E six-speed automatic transmission could be a bit smoother…and an extra ratio would be an improvement).
Toyota’s weight savings (more than 55kgs), chassis stiffening and suspension/steering tune (front damping force changed by 14-19 per cent while the compression is unchanged) has paid dividends. New Toyota Aurion corners a lot flatter and the front-end harshness of the previous model has been largely eradicated (although you still notice the extra weight of the V6 up-front in direct comparisons with the Camry).
Toyota modified the pedal box of this latest second-generation Aurion – a 7.0mm relocation of the accelerator pedal for easier operation and shorter pedal stroke for the brake pedal to improve feel. This combined with the sporty seats to make the Sportivo ZR6 our favourite at the end of the day (any chance of a TRD Aurion making a comeback – love that ‘blown’ V6?).
Toyota Aurion Challenges
Over the twists and curves in the Adelaide Hills both our Presara and Sportivo ZR6 grade Toyota Aurions exhibited excellent refinement and high-grade chassis dynamics but their Bridgestone tyres were a tad lacking in grip at the limit.
Toyota Aurion The Competition
Of course it’s Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. Starting price for the Falcon is $37,253 ($36,490 for Toyota Aurion AT-X) and $40,990 for Ford’s XR6 model which competes against the identically priced Aurion Sportivo SX6.
For ‘The General’, chalk-up $39,990 for the basic Commodore Omega (3.0-litre V6 models outpowered by Aurion) and $43,790 for the Sportivo SX6-equivalent SV6 (with 10 extra kilowatts and 14 extra newton-metres from Holden’s 3.6-litre).
As always it’s the detailed specifications which are crucial and on that score, Toyota Aurion presents a very impressive all-round package.
Toyota Aurion Verdict
Whichever way you cut it, Toyota’s Aurion is another strong endorsement of Australia’s car-making expertise. Considerable local design, engineering and testing make Toyota Aurion right for our conditions and the many different global markets in which it sells.
Toyota has been smart with the all-new model – delivering in key areas of looks, interior space, fuel consumption/emissions and driving dynamics while keeping the prices super-sharp.
