Toyota Aurion Reviews

Toyota’s all-new Camry and Camry Hybrid are both selling well thanks to being more stylish than the previous models. Now there’s another choice in the range.VALUEToyota Aurion is well priced from $36,490 to compete with the equivalent models from Ford and Holden and we anticipate a keen battle for sales between the three big boys. Jump in and grab the best deal you can squeeze out of them.Toyota also provides five routine services at a fixed price of $130 each for the first four years or 75,000 kilometres, something that’s certainly worth factoring into your buying calculations. Aurion is USB and iPod ready, has Bluetooth and audio streaming with the Sportivo ZR6 we tested having premium digital radios.TECHNOLOGYIf you like the thought of owning a Camry but would love to have the grunt of a 3.5-litre V6 under the bonnet then the latest Aurion should figure high on your short list. It’s a brilliant twin-cam engine, with 200 kW of silky smoothness that puts the sixes of Ford and Holden to shame in the refinement stakes.Official fuel consumption has been improved to 9.3 litres per hundred kilometres from the 9.9 litres of the superseded Aurion thanks to clever work on the engine, transmission and body.SAFETYWith the addition of a driver's knee airbag there are now seven airbags for peace of mind. Aurion had achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating. All-new Aurion has dropped 55 kilograms of weight when compared to its immediate predecessor thanks to the use of high-tensile steel, figuring in the crash safety stakes.DESIGNThe Aurion now has a 60/40 split rear seat that increases the handiness of the already large 515-litre boot. Buttons in the boot release the seats which can then be pushed down almost flat. The boot also houses a full-size matching alloy spare wheel.There are five Aurion model variants: luxury Presara and Prodigy, sporty Sportivo SX6 and ZR6 and entry-level AT-X. Presara and Prodigy have a chrome grille with horizontal bars as well as chrome adorning the boot. The Sportivo models get a slightly smaller grille done in a sporting egg crate style that’s finished in black.There are also differences inside the cabin: stitched leather seats and upholstery and woodgrain finishes adorn the Presara and Prodigy, while the Sportivo gets contrasting colour sports seats with added lateral support for firmer cornering.Aurion's external dimensions have grown a fraction in width and length and there's now more rear seat knee and leg room. The back seat is not quite limousine size, but passengers will not complain about legroom. The interior feels lighter, brighter and larger with Toyota’s relatively narrow A and B pillars. The latter not only give the car a more spacious feel but also add to its safety.DRIVINGTypically we found ‘our’ Toyota Aurion using seven to eight litres per hundred kilometres during motorway and country running. It was unusual for the consumption to go much over 10 litres per hundred even in heavy traffic. Aurion has a six-speed automatic transmission with the Sportivo we tested having paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Toyota conducted extensive testing in Australia and the suspension has been tuned to local conditions. We found the ride and handling to be comfortable with little body roll and just a hint of safe understeer on sharp corners at enthusiastic speeds. The car points well with a new, stiffer suspension and more rigid body. There's also a new electric power steering unit similar to that in the Lexus RX series. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) have been improved through a large number of design improvements. Aurion has what is essentially a double glazed windscreen. Wind flow under the bonnet and the front mudguards has been deflected to reduce noise and new sound-deadening carpets have been added. Double seals have been added to the door glass. The result is a cabin that is whisper quiet even on some of the harsh road surfaces.VERDICTThough Toyota Australia likes to market this car as the ‘Aurion’ it’s simply a Camry with a V6 engine and slightly different model variants.

Toyota launched its second-generation Aurion across the road from a graveyard. Seriously.Tombstones and locally made six-cylinder sedans are a good match at the moment, but it's unusual for carmakers to highlight the fact.It probably wasn't deliberate. Toyota's large Adelaide dealership just happens to be nearby. But the event began at the very moment Toyota security staff were rounding up 350 workers at its Victorian plant for compulsory redundancy.If it had the makings of a wake, the company's executives failed to notice. Toyota is moving in the right direction, they said, and had never invested more in its Altona factory and its people. Including the ones getting the sack?They even presented the fact the Aurion was the 38th bestselling car in Australia with the enthusiasm you would expect if it had just claimed top spot. It doesn't matter how you say it, 38th is terrible for a company used to winning every segment in which it competes.But Aurion has a history of underperformance. Of the three locally made vehicles in the large-car class, Aurion has run a clear and consistent last. Sales fell to just 8917 last year, well short of the 25,000 anticipated at the 2006 launch.Not to worry, says Toyota, this will change. It predicts the new Aurion will swim against the tide and sell more, although it declines to say how many.VALUEToyota pitches the Aurion as affordable luxury and says that with a starting price of $36,490 it's better value than the Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore, whose fleet models start higher.The Aurion's equipment list is strong, but Ford and Holden dealers have a long and painful history of discounting, so list prices don't reflect reality. What you'll actually pay is determined by how long it has been since their last meal.TECHNOLOGYToyota has largely left alone the 3.5-litre quad-cam V6 as it does a good job producing 200kW and 336Nm, all of which heads for the front wheels. That's enough for it to get up and go in a hurry -- and it's superior to the raucous revving of Camry's four-cylinder -- although Toyota's claim it is faster than the Falcon and Commodore remains unproven.Not that owners are likely to care. A reduction in fuel use to 9.3 litres per 100km will be of more interest, along with the interior upgrades. There's a better impression of prestige thanks to improved surfaces, good leather trim and reduced road noise.It's a competent cruiser with a strong engine but limited thrills. The only uncertainty is whether this Aurion could match, for the first time, Toyota's optimistic sales expectations.DESIGNAurion is the V6 version of the new seventh-generation Camry, with some styling and specification differences to the four-cylinder car. In some markets it's known simply as a Camry V6.So, like the new Camry, the Aurion has a restyled body that is ever so slightly larger, but also 50kg lighter than before. It has fuel-efficient electronic steering assistance for the first time and a new dashboard.There are two types of Aurion: an allegedly sporty Sportivo, which attempts to lure (relatively) young people with gung-ho bumpers, boot-mounted wing and two-tone seats. Then there are three grades of chrome-plated conservative models focused on comfort. These are better suited to the vehicle's market, which Toyota sales and marketing chief Matthew Callachor describes as “experienced motorists”.That's another way of saying old. The new car has been developed in the traditional Toyota way. That means comfort, safety and reliability top the list of priorities and driving fun is largely overlooked.DRIVINGThere's no better example of this than the steering-wheel mounted shift paddles fitted to some models. Put the six-speed automatic transmission into manual mode and you can control the gearbox, or at least that is what's supposed to happen.Get near the top of the rev band and the gearbox changes up whether or not the driver wants it to. More annoying is the fact the gearbox will overrule the driver and change down when it thinks a better gear can be found.It did this to me as I charged up a hill in third. I was happy in that gear because I was nearing the crest, but the gearbox decided it knew better. Most automatics with paddles will kickdown in an emergency, but only when the driver pushes the pedal to the floor.The chief engineer says the override is there in case inexperienced drivers forget they are in manual mode. In effect, it has made an allowance for dementia. So why bother with paddles at all? Benign is the key word when it comes to chassis tune and the suspension has been calibrated for plushness.Get used to a fair amount of pitching under acceleration, diving under brakes and body roll when pressed. This is not necessarily bad, but it doesn't encourage sporty driving. It's the same with the steering, tuned for easy parking rather than attacking twisty tarmac. It feels light and numb.VERDICTSo no alarms and no surprises. Aurion sticks to Toyota's proven method of simple design done well.

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.PRICESToyota 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 MECHANICALOutput 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.DRIVINGThe 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.

Five years is a long time in the car industry long enough for an entire market sector to plummet from second to seventh in sales. That's what happened to the large car market. It was just below small cars in 2006, and is now second last.But with around 80,000 sales a year, it's still worth fighting for, and that's what Toyota has done with its just-refurbished Aurion.WHAT'S NEWThe 200kW/336 3.5litre V6 remains unchanged in output from last year, but has been tweaked for extra efficiency. Average consumption is 6per cent better at 9.3litres/100km, from 9.9. It's a bit cleaner too, its 215g/km CO2 emissions eight per cent down. The smooth six-speed transmission is also a carry-over, though the brace of Sportivo models gain steering wheel paddle shifts. Extensive local development, including the new electric steering, has resulted in better ride and handling.Externally, the second generation Aurion has had a mild style upgrade with new front and rear bumpers and the Sportivos look a little angrier with what Toyota calls "aggressive, startling and confronting" nose, tail and bumper treatment to attract sports-oriented folk. The cars are a tad longer, the AT-X, Prodigy and Presara by 10mm and the two Sportivos by 30mm. But despite the fractional increase in length, the premium Toyota sedans are 55kg lighter. Inside, the dash and trim have had a brush-up, the cabin is quieter and reshaped seats and roof lining have added passenger space. All models get seven airbags, seatbelt warnings, dual zone auto climate control, reversing camera, split-fold rear seats, an eco meter and a sound-absorbing layer in the windscreen. All the electronic driver aids are a given, likewise entertainment and communication doofies like Bluetooth, USB, iPod, touch-screen displays and multi-speaker audio systems. One of the best improvements is the thinner windscreen and B-pillars. Some rivals have gone the opposite way to attain five-star crash ratings, but at the expense of impaired visibility, which we reckon is plain stupid. Toyota's engineering has come up with strong, slimline pillars that make a world of difference. Bravo. VALUEThe five Aurions are all under the Luxury Car Tax, starting at $36,490 for the AT-X. The Prodigy and Presara models are $41,490 and $49,990 and Sportivo SX6 costs $40,990. The top-dog Sportivo ZR6 is $47,990.DRIVINGWe squirted an AT-X and a Prodigy (dreadful name) through some of the Classic Adelaide tarmac rally terrain in South Oz  and liked it. We imagine the firmer Sportivos would be even better. But our classy family sedans did a great job in a quiet, composed manner, and on one 100km stretch we saw 8.6litres/100km on our eco meter.When we switched off, we got an #aacexcellent' rating on the dash. What a chest-sweller that was. The V6's output is more than adequate and the power comes through smooth and strong. Great brakes too.VERDICTA quality car, close to Lexus in many respects, that should do a whole lot better in its shrinking category.

Since the Toyota Aurion was launched in Australia in 2006 large car sales have slumped, dropping from 138,000 per annum to 80,000 in 2011.Even so, it is hardly a niche segment and Toyota believes it will sell more, not less, Aurions with the launch of this virtually all-new model.VALUEToyota Aurion pricing is razor sharp with a price advantage of $745 to $3500 over entry-level Falcon and Commodore while the Aurion AT-X is almost $6000 under the Commodore Omega 3.6-litre V6.Toyota is also offering five routine services at a fixed price of $130 each for the first four years or 75,000 kilometres.TECHNOLOGYAurion is up to it with new technology and is USB and iPod ready, has Bluetooth and audio streaming with the Presara and Sportivo ZR6 having premium digital radios.Under the bonnet things have changed little with Aurion retaining the 200 kW twin-cam V6 that also powers Kluger, RAV4 and Lexus RX350.Toyota Australia engineer Greg Gardner said the performance of the V6 is more than adequate for the Aurion, adding consumption has been improved from 9.9 litres per 100 km in the Gen 1 Aurion to 9.3 L/100 km in the new modelDESIGNThe new Aurion has dropped 55 kilos on a diet of high-tensile steel with essentially the same dimensions as the outgoing model. Aurion is rated for braked towing at 1600 kg.Chrome is back and the Presara and Prodigy gain a chrome grille with horizontal bars that will gladden the heart of any classic car buff. There's also plenty of shiny stuff adorning the boot.Toyota Aurion now has a 60/40 split rear seat that increases the handiness of the 515-litre boot, giving it the ability take carry long objects as well as configure alternative seating arrangements.Buttons in the boot release the seats which can then be pushed down almost flat. The boot also houses a full-size matching alloy spare wheel. The Sportivo models get a different, slightly smaller, grille done in a variation on the egg crate style - and all in black and in keeping with the sporty image.These differences are also reflected inside the cabin where stitched leather seats and upholstery and wood grain finishes adorn the Presara and Prodigy, while the Sportivo gets contrasting colour sports seats with additional support.The interior feels lighter, brighter and larger with Toyota using narrower A and B pillars. Large car owners like their cars to feel big on the inside and Aurion achieves that goal. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) have been improved through a raft of design improvements as well as the use of sound-proofing materials.Like the recently launched Camry Hybrid, Aurion gains what is essentially a double glazed windscreen. Wind flow under the bonnet and up under the front mudguards has been deflected to reduce noise and new sound-deadening carpets have been added. Double seals have been added to the door glass.The result is a cabin that is whisper quiet even on some of the harsh road surfaces we found on the launch of the vehicle organised by Toyota in and around the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.Toyota has gone to great lengths to differentiate between the five Aurion model variants: luxury Presara and Prodigy, sporty Sportivo SX6 and ZR6 and entry-level AT-X. The end result is that the front end of the Aurion Presara and Prodigy is all luxury and the Aurion Sportivo is aggressive and purposeful.SAFETYToyota conducted extensive testing in Australia and the suspension has been tuned to local conditions.With the addition of a driver's knee airbag there are now seven airbags for peace of mind. Toyota chief engineer Yukihiro Oaken, in Australia for the launch of his machine, announced that the Aurion had achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating.DRIVINGAt launch we were able to drive two models, Presara and Prodigy. The interior does have a luxury feel with stitched leather seats and trim, power seats, and the space and openness you associate with large European marques. The V6 is a willing powerplant and well mated to the automatic. Aurion has a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift alternative while Presara and Sportivo also have paddle shifters on the steering wheel.Aurion's external dimensions have grown a fraction in width and length and there's now more rear seat knee and leg room. The accelerator pedal and the front seats have been moved slightly forward. The back seat is not quite limousine size, but passengers will not complain about legroom.We found the ride and handling to be comfortable with little body roll and just a hint of understeer on sharp corners at enthusiastic speeds. The car points well with a new, stiffer suspension and more rigid body. There's also a new electric power steering unit similar to that in the Lexus RX series.VERDICTThe variety of models on offer and the competitive price packages make the 2012 Toyota Aurion well worth a look.

Sales of large car are headed south at a rapid rate but Toyota says its still too big a chunk of the market to ignore, so welcome a renewed Aurion to the Australian large car market.The clear overall market leader, Toyota is aiming to take a 15 per cent chunk of the shrinking segment this year, with sales targets ranging from around 600 a month, rising towards (but unlikely to exceed) 1000 units a month in 2013.But the big six-cylinder will be competing in a segment that has fallen from 136,280 in 2006 (when Aurion returned Toyota to the large car market after the Avalon flopped) to 78,077 in 2011.Toyota's executive director of sales and marketing Matthew Callachor says demand for nearly 80,000 vehicles is substantial and vital to the Australian market."Even if the large car market was to diminish further it is a long way from becoming a niche segment and it deserves to be supported with models purpose-built for changing needs,'' he says.VALUEThe Aurion range kicks of at $36,490 for the AT-X (up from $35,990) but stops short of breaching the $50,000 mark for the top-spec Presara - by $10. The Prodigy and Presara flagship remain unchanged at $41,490 and $49,990 respectively; the Aurion range has retained the two-pronged "sports'' model line-up - the Sportivo SX6 has risen $500 to $40,990 and the ZR6 has jumped $4500 to $47,990 Among the standard fare is seven airbags (including a driver's knee air bag), 16in alloy wheels (17in for the rest of the range), dual zone climate control, a reversing camera, a splitfold rear seat and a full-sized spare tyre.Toyota is claiming a price advantage of as much as $3500 over the Blue Oval and the Red Lion models.Leather trim can be added to the AT-X for $1500 and 17in alloy wheels are on offer for an extra $500. The Prodigy, Sportivo SX and ZR6 can be optioned up with a sun roof for $1950TECHNOLOGYThe variable-valve quad-cam V6 has unchanged outputs of 200kW and 336Nm (on 91RON fuel), but fuel consumption has been reduced by six per cent to 9.3 litres/100km and emissions have dropped by almost eight per cent to 215g/km.That's thanks in part to shedding 55kg in weight but more so thanks to the smarter six-speed automatic and changes to the engine internals for reduced friction and the intake system. The Aurion also utilises a new column-mounted electric power steering system that - along with the suspension and several of the car's electronic systems - have been tuned by local Toyota engineering staff to better suit local tastes.DESIGNNot the most adventurous part of Toyota's regime, but the new Aurion is not unattractive - but it's no pin-up. That said, it's not offensive either, and it hides its dimensions - the car doesn't take up a great deal more roadspace but interior room has been improved by better design features, scrimping a few millimetres more head and knee room in the rear.The driving position (electrically-adjustable range-wide) has also been improved and the instruments have also been upgraded along the Lexus Optitron lines. The front occupants benefit from the extra length in base and backrest, with the Sportivo models benefitting from extra lateral support that befits the handling bias of the two Sportivo variants.In contrast to many nerw models, Toyota has managed to slim down the A and B pillars, the former being of great value in terms of driver vision. The boot - which can be expanded by splitfold rear seat backrests - can swallow 515 litres of cargo, according to Toyota, which pips the two main large sedans from Ford and Holden.SAFETYThe Aurion has only recently been bestowed a five-star ranking from ANCAP, thanks to the safety features list of seven airbags, stability control, a reversing camera, auto-dipping high-beam (on the upper models), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There's also a brake-override function that will give priority to the stopping system if the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time. The Prodigy, Presara and both Sportivo models also have front and rear parking sensors.DRIVINGThere's much to like about the enthusiasm from those who work for Toyota, pushing the line about emotional aspects of the product. It's a tough sell, as the styling is inoffensive and uninspiring, but it's not going to bother the "experienced" drivers who end up shelling out for the new large V6 sedan.What the asking price gets is a well-equipped, comfortable and capable sedan - while the V6 is unchanged, the clever automatic makes good use of the outputs. The power delivery is smooth and linear, but above all else is very quiet - Lexus-like in its level of noise suppression - with only wind noise prevalent at cruising speeds.There's punch on offer for overtaking as well but the new Aurion has a better feel for the road, sitting solidly on the road with ruining the ride quality. What will also impress is improved composure when driving more enthusiastically, with the electric power steering offering reasonable weight and assistance.The Australian Toyota engineering team's influence in the steering and suspension is apparent and the work completed by the local team should be viewed as valuable. That said, it's not the best helm for supplying a stack of feel, but we'll reserve judgement for the Sportivo models, havnig only sampled the AT-X entry-level and Presara flagship.Cabin and cargo space for four adults is ample and the features list - which includes blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist and JBL digital sound on the top-spec model - will score points with buyers. The woodgrain look trim bits detract from what is otherwise a quality cabin.It's a quality car, with a solid feel to its interior and more-than-respectable road manners - time will tell of the styling (and the driven front wheels) find favour with Australian large car buyers.

TOYOTA threatened to enter the big-six market for many years before it took the plunge with the Aurion.  There was the Lexcen-badged Commodore and when that failed they launched the bland Avalon, and when that did nothing to excite the masses they launched the Aurion.The Aurion presented something a little different in the segment that had been dominated by Holden and Ford for many years and enough buyers signed up for Toyota to claim it as a success.MODEL WATCHTHE pitch for the Aurion was good; it had class-leading power and economy, and better value for money.  The Aurion shared its mechanical package with the Camry, but Toyota's engineers worked hard to differentiate it from its sibling.It was given a more aggressive look, while the cabin got new seats, a revised dash and dials, and a large centre console.  The 3.5-litre V6 boasted 204kW at 6200 revs and 336Nm at 4700 revs, which was more than the Falcon or Commodore could muster at the time. There was a six-speed auto transmission with touch-change manual shifting and intelligent auto operation.The final drive was through the front wheels, something Aussies had spurned in their big cars in the past, but Toyota was confident those fears had long since faded.  There were five models in total, split into two groups. On one side were the sporty models, including the Sportivo, while on the other were the luxury variants, including the Presara.ON THE ROADWITH 200kW-plus on tap there was no shortage of zip with the Aurion. It jumped out of the blocks and delivered through the rev range. The comfortable ride was matched by supportive seats and responsive handling. There was a lot to like about the Aurion.IN THE SHOPOVERALL the Aurion lives up to Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability, it is a generally sound car that gives little trouble. There have been some reports of piston slap and complaints of the intermediate steering shaft coming loose have been heard.IN A CRUNCHTHE Aurion had a comprehensive active and passive safety package. It had anti-skid braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control. On the passive side it had front airbags for the driver and passenger, as well as side and head airbags.ANCAP rated the Aurion four stars.AT THE PUMPTOYOTA claimed an impressive 9.9 litres/100km for its new big car, which is being borne out in service. Owners report 8.5-9.9 litres/100km around town. To get the best out of it the Aurion should be run on 95-octane premium unleaded.THE BOTTOM LINEGOOD all-round family car with good performance and economy, comprehensive safety package, and Toyota build quality.80/100LOOK FORBig-car roominessClass-leading performanceGood fuel economyGenerally reliableFor ANCAP vehicle safetyratings, visit howsafeisyourcar.com.au

The thing is, unlike cars by the big two, Toyota’s effort is only a front wheel drive V6.But on the plus side, it’s something new and fresh, and completely different – something that might just grab the attention of a red or blue tragic. It’s about time there was a new kid on the block to mix things up a bit.Engine and economyOkay, so it’s only a six but there is some serious poke in the supercharged 3.6-litre DOHC V6 petrol, that puts out 241kW at 6400rpm and 400Nm at 4000 revs.A six speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter and artificial intelligence shift control, gets power to the wheels.The car will sprint from 0-100km/h in around six and a half seconds and burn 10.9 litres of 98 RON fuel per 100km.A new sports suspension setup with lower springs and a matching damper configuration makes for a stiffer, sportier ride that means less body roll, improved agility and more precise steering.ExteriorOn their website, Toyota constantly stresses the subtlety of the TRD Aurion design which seems a rather strange direction to take. As we all know, the base Camry is dreary at best. To not talk up a slightly sporty one seems ludicrous – especially because this one doesn’t look half bad.The cherry red paint job, big dark 19 inch alloys, side skirts and the big rear sports bumper transform the boring old Camry into a real head-turner. A match for HSV and FPV in styling at least.InteriorSadly, the TRD Aurion falls down a little inside. Aside from the garish red leather sport seats, there really isn’t too much that screams performance car. A small ‘TRD’ on the dash and a near-invisible one on the steering wheel – and that’s it.There are the leather bound gear knob and scuff plates to brighten it up, but the rest is bland and forgettable.SafetyA comprehensive airbag package complements a long list of features including ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, brake assist, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control.PricingThe TRD Aurion 3500S starts at $52,990, with the 3500SL – fancier airconditioing and a satnav but no difference in performance – starting at $56,990.DrivingPerhaps the most disappointing thing about this car is the noise it makes – or rather doesn’t make. Why did Toyota go to all the trouble of building a performance car to take on the big dogs when at full thrust, it sounds like a ceiling fan?The TRD Aurion has guts and will surprise you when it slams you back in your seat when you plant your foot. Handling was nice and taut but still quite comfortable for city driving. Cornering was easy and grippy at speed.Annoyingly, we were constantly dragged into every rut and crease on the road, having to fight with the wheel to bring it back into line.Generally though it was a good drive and a performance leap up from the Camry – but hey, that wouldn’t be hard, would it?Up against the HSV or the FPV the TRD Aurion as it is now is outclassed and will struggle with the smaller engine. Technically, its closest rivals – the Falcon XR6 Turbo and the SS Commodore – are quite a bit cheaper and more powerful so again, they look to be the better buy. But its refreshing to finally see something different out there with the potential to become a competitive large performance vehicle – and that isn’t a Ford or a Holden. 

From Toyota's specialist tuning division, TRD (Toyota Racing Development), comes this hot Aurion. Based on the Aurion Sportivo, the TRD Aurion has a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine that punches out 241 kW. And a hefty 400 Nm at 4000 rpm, with at least 300 Nm on tap from a mere 1200 rpm all the way through to the

IT IS hard to be over critical of a Toyota.The Japanese car maker turns out well-made, highly reliable, moderately priced motorcars designed primarily as urban or rural family transport. You have only to look at Toyota sales figures to realise they are very good at what they do.Perhaps the most strident criticism of Toyotas in the past could be that on average, they were staid, unexciting and did not particularly like being pushed out of their comfort zones. But bear in mind most of them are staid because they are family cars and the vast majority of them are never, and will never be, pushed outside the zone.Excitement while driving is the last thing on Dad's mind. So staid is as much a compliment as it is a criticism.A car for the family — certainly. A car for the enthusiast — not usually.But there is now an Australian-made Toyota on the road that does not deserve the staid handle.In fact anyone who described it as staid clearly wouldn't know what they were talking about. It is the 241kw, 400Nm Toyota Aurion TRD, TRD standing for Toyota Racing Development.Basically TRD have taken a family car that was already producing respectable power, bolted on a supercharger, some big wheels and tyres, adjusted the suspension and brakes and added a few mild body kit bits. The result is the most powerful front-wheel-drive production car in the world.Toyota insist this is not a muscle car in the vein of the R8 Clubsport HSV Commodore or Ford equivalent. It is a more subtle refined package a la Mazda6 MPS.But when it is all boiled down this is a supercharged, go-fast car despite what Toyota say about it not being all about performance but rather the overall package. Toyota Racing Development engineered it, after all, and any car that gets from standstill to 100km/h in near enough to six seconds is a high-performance machine.As tested, the SL TRD with moonroof and sat nav tipped the scales at $67,452. Now that is a reasonable amount out of anyone's wallet, especially when you consider you can get a V8 Berlina for $45,290, a V8 Calais for $59,290, a Ford FPV 5.4 GT for $62,460 or an HSV Clubsport R8 for $64,890.If sat nav and a moonroof is not your cup of tea you can get the SL for $61,500 or the S with no leather seats, no dual climate control air conditioning and with a few less bells and whistles for $56,990.So on the basis of those prices for those cars, with similar (or better) performance, it is hard to make a value-for-money case for the Aurion TRD. True, you do get Toyota finish and quality which can be hard to beat.And yes the TRD is far more refined and subtle as a performance package. Inside, it is impossible to hear any exhaust note or any supercharger whine. There is just this feeling of being thrust back forcefully in your seat.Feeding all that torque through the front wheels has to eventually make itself felt through the steering wheel. If it is wet, or the car is making a left turn up hill from a standing start, for instance, and the loud pedal is getting a flogging, the wheel will buck a little in the driver's hands. But it is not overpowering and many less powerful cars have much more torque steer than the TRD.Those 235 Dunlop Sportmaxx low-profile tyres do a pretty good job of hanging on but with all the power and most of the braking reaching the tarmac through the front wheels, tyre life would have to be minimal.In fact it requires a light right foot to get the TRD off the mark without any chirping or slipping from the front.The brakes are nothing short of superb, at least on the road and in the wet; smooth powerful and progressive with no disconcerting grab at initial application.The six-speed transmission is seamless and smooth and has no trouble coping with the 400Nm of torque. It is not trying to second guess the driver and sequential changes can be made (backwards and forwards) with the gear selector in Sport mode. The electrically adjustable leather seats are comfortable with good side support given the high centrifugal forces created if the driving is spirited.The dash is simple yet appealing, there is keyless ignition yet no dash light adjustment. The sat nav screen, like that in the recently tested RAV4, is a work of art, swivelling down to allow access to the CD player and slot for the sat nav compact disc.Everything fits well and the vast majority of noise in the cabin comes from the 35 per cent low-profile tyres as differing road surfaces can attest.The ride is a little stiff and unforgiving but most of that appears to be a side effect of the low-profile tyres as much as stiff suspension.TRD have done a good job of turning the Aurion into a wolf in sheep's clothing.Perhaps the major question is whether the cost of the trick comes a little high.The other question is why those exhaust ports in the rear diffuser that get filthy thanks to exhaust pipes which finish 80cm further back?Ford XR6 drivers, those behind the wheel of Commodore SV6s and even Ford and Holden V8 drivers will consider it a surprising, even if not cheap, trick if they come up against one in the traffic light drags.