Long before I could drive, I have to say I was a Toyota fan. This was owed to my dad who after having one never looked at another manufacturer. Even when the second car in the family was upgraded from cheap and nasty Metros, it had to be a Toyota. I was brought up with Carinas, Corollas, Celicas and Supras. This in turn took over in more ways than just a form of transport. We were avid supporters of the Securicor Omega Express Carina II’s in the BTCC, which later became the Carina E, also following the Celica and later Corollas in the World Rally Championship.

The Corolla has been the World’s biggest selling production car of all time but in 2007 its name was changed to Auris with the introduction of the new model. To this day I can’t understand the reason why the name was changed. The name change wasn’t the only thing that I didn’t understand as the all-new Auris was not a pretty car to look at, at all. For some reason the styling was more Peugeot 307. The interior in the Corolla was standard Japanese – Not brilliant, but had everything you needed and in the right place; just a little bland, but not sure why! The handbrake button in the phase one model was just silly, but to give Toyota their dues this was promptly changed at the next facelift.

So you can imagine my joy when I clapped eyes on the all-new Auris. Sleek lines, angled headlights flowing into the grill, aggressive bumpers and narrow windows to improve the looks.

Last week I managed to get my hands on one. Admittedly it was an estate and a 1.4 diesel but I like the style of estates and small engines these days work. My first impressions were good – walking round the car confirmed that they were correct, Toyota had managed to produce something decent again for the masses.

Opening the driver’s door can only be described as a massive disappointment! The dashboard on this new and improved model is just a monstrosity. It looks like your Aunt Mable’s sideboard has been plonked into the car – it’s just huge, square, flat and in your face! It put me off the whole car instantly, I didn’t even want to get in to drive it, it was that bad. I wasn’t the only one to remark about the WTF interior either – everyone I talk to about the new Auris says the same!

Anyway, after jumping in and trying to convince myself that it will drive ok I headed out onto the open road. My first reaction as it turned out to be correct – this car is shit! I know times are changing and small engines are now coupled to big turbos to give more power and less emissions/more MPG but I think Toyota forgot about the turbo part! There is absolutely no power in this car whatsoever and I was the only person in it – god knows how a kitchen designer with a boot full of sample cupboard doors will get on with it.

Getting back off test drive in this car couldn’t come soon enough; the only thing that I thought could save this car is the saving on the tax disc as it should be free tax. Can you imagine my surprise when I looked in the screen and saw £20 on the disc. TOYOTA WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! Honda have managed to keep its Civic 1.6 diesel under the golden 100 Co2 limit so you get free tax and it drives like a dream too.

I feel gutted that I’m writing this but as far as I can see right now that ‘The car In Front’ isn’t a Toyota.