Toyota Australia must be very pleased with the sales results of its Aurion V6. Because, while it has given the complete range a visual makeover, it has left the mechanical components virtually untouched.

In a conservative post-GFC world where underbonnet changes are more the norm these days, with the looks of the car remaining as before, Toyota has gone in the opposite direction. That's a sign of real confidence.

 

Styling changes for 2010 Toyota Aurion range see new radiator grilles, changes to the lower aperture grilles and revised bumper lines. The headlamps, and foglight surrounds where applicable have also been redesigned. At the rear there's a new shape to the lights and faster-acting LED units are a handy safety feature.

Safety improvements include improved light distribution performance from Aurion's low-beam headlamps using a high-intensity discharge (HID) system.

There are new wheel designs across the range. Even the entry-level Aurion AT-X gets alloy wheels, units done in an interesting ten-spoke design.

Says David Buttner, Toyota Australia's executive director for sales and marketing, "The original Aurion face was a simple, yet bold, double-concave architecture, the facelift design uses 'X-Form' architecture, bracketed by the chrome-framed fog lamps. The new design increases the feeling of prestige with more subtlety.”

Toyota has also upgraded Aurion's instruments, audio systems, lighting and in-cabin storage. Aurion Prodigy gains an electro-chromatic interior mirror, power rear sunshade and rain-sensing wipers. Sportivo ZR6 has the added safety and convenience of heated exterior mirrors and auto-tilt exterior mirror on reverse.

Aurion's audio systems have been upgraded across the board. All models now have a Bluetooth hands-free telephone kit and 3.5 mm auxiliary audio input in the front centre-console box. Most models have a Bluetooth audio system.

 

Prodigy and the two Sportivo grades have an audio system with 4.3-inch colour LCD display, reverse camera capability, six-CD multi-changer, USB/iPod auxiliary audio input, and Bluetooth telephone hands-free kit with microphone integrated into the facia. This audio system is optionally available on AT-X grade.

The Aurion Presara's AVN satellite navigation audio has been refined with an additional two speakers (for a total of eight including two dual-cone rear speakers) and auxiliary 3.5mm input. The AVN satellite navigation audio system is optionally available on Sportivo ZR6.

As before, the Aurion has a 3.5-litre twin-cam V6 engine that delivers maximum power of 200 kW. All models use an advanced six-speed automatic transmission with sequential overrides should the driver want to take control of shifting.

Performance is excellent, with the smooth and refined engine delivering more power than most owners require. However, it's always nice to have that little bit extra on standby when you want to overtake, or cart a heavy load up a steep hill.

 

Overall refinement is a major feature of the Toyota Aurion and the car comes with the traditional build quality that has long been associated with this Japanese company. Aurion is manufactured in Australia to high standards dictated by Toyota's head office.

The complete Aurion facelifted range, with prices (excluding dealer and government charges) is:
AT-X: $35,490
Sportivo SX6: $39,990
Prodigy: $40,990
Sportivo ZR6: $42,990
Presara: $49,990