• Frugal engines mean low running costs
• Insurance and servicing should be manageable, too
• Long warranty also provides peace of mind

Running costs for the Auris are low across the range thanks to a frugal turbo petrol and the option of choosing a hybrid.

It may not be as cheap to buy new as some of its rivals but it is good value for money and it benefits from strong resale values. That means, when you come to sell it on, you’ll generally get more of your money back.

Pick the 1.2-litre turbo and you can expect economy of up to 52.3mpg, according to Toyota’s stats, while the CVT automatic transmission option boasts a 54.3mpg economy figure.

The 1.8-litre Auris hybrid is the one you want for low running costs, though, with up to 68.8mpg achievable with a steady right foot.

If you’re intent on keeping your car for a long time, however, it may be worth considering alternatives like the Kia Ceed. The Kia comes with a longer seven-year warranty, compared with the Toyota’s five-year cover.

The most eco-conscious buyers will most likely want to opt for the 1.8-litre Auris hybrid, which emits 94g/km of CO2.

The 1.2-litre turbo petrol isn’t too far behind when fitted with the automatic gearbox, producing 120g/km.

Finally, the manual 1.2 emits between 123 and 126g/km of CO2 depending on wheel size.

• Three recalls for the Auris so far
• General reliability should be good
• Five-year warranty from Toyota

Toyota has a good reputation for building solid cars, and the Auris feels a durable machine with a hard-wearing interior.

That’s not to say it’s all rosy, though, as this generation of Auris has been the subject of three official recalls. These have been for a headlight malfunction, loss of power and a risk of fire. Any remedial work will have been carried out by Toyota under the car’s warranty, so any used example you might be considering should have had this sorted out.

If a fault does become apparent it’s likely you’ll hear about it promptly from Toyota itself, rather than the issue being swept under the carpet or quietly resolved at the next service.