9 February 2011
New car report; Big Aussie Toyota, Sport.
The global market for big sixes hasn't exactly been on fire in recent times, so why would Toyota, a company with a reputation for building the most bullet-proof compact cars in the world be wrestling their way into this segment?
The answer probably lies in their desire to be well represented in all sectors and in all regions of the globe.
In the "lucky country" about 3 hours west of here by 747, the recession that brought the rest of the world to its knees never officially hit. Big six cylinder cars are so ingrained in the Aussie psyche that the lack of such a car in Toyota's line-up didn't deter Toyota Australia from making a play to be represented in this space.
They took a Camry body shell, re-designed it front and rear to create a bigger boot and enough room up front for the 2GR-FE 3.5 litre V6 powerplant robbed from the Lexus parts bin, and took it to market wearing the Aurion badge.
Just under a year ago, we reviewed the entry level Aurion, the AT-X and found it a pleasant surprise. So how would the new, updated Aurion Sportivo SX6 measure up?
For starters, the Sportivo SX6 is visually more exciting than its Plain Jane sibling and the list of equipment has been extended to include a raft of added goodies.
The sporty treatment extends to a new sports body kit, boot spoiler and stylish new 17" alloy wheels.
There's new headlights, clear tail lights, a new slimmer looking mesh grille with inverted trapezoidal treatment to the lower grille section.
Frontal treatment is so Aussie looking, if the centrally-mounted Toyota badge was replaced by a blue oval, it would be hard to tell the Aurion SX6 from Ford's XR6. So for a Japanese car designed in Australia to compete with domestic market big sixes, it looks right at home.
Other than exterior styling mods, numerous tweaks and refinements have been adopted for the face-lifted Sportivo SX6.
The dash has been freshened up with a new instrument cluster and new audio system with a colour screen and reversing camera. Door sill trims proudly display the Sportivo script, which is also embroidered onto the backs of the sport-style seats.
The audio system includes MP3, USB input, auxiliary jack, six disc CD player and in time for our new hands-free phone use legislation, Bluetooth capability has been added.
In keeping with the market positioning, the leather-clad steering wheel includes audio controls and a cruise control stalk, and electric front seats are fitted along with climate air conditioning.
Like the Aurion ATX we drove earlier, we found the 204kW V6 to be silky smooth with ample power delivered to the front wheels via a six speed auto 'box with Tiptronic feature.
Best described as a sporty styled sedan rather than an out and out fire-breathing sports sedan, we found the Aurion Sportivo SX6 to offer a good compromise between sport and refinement.
The Michellin 215/55 R17 tyres make for high levels of grip and the suspension set-up us firm but not brutal.
Intrusive noise level we often find when the sport moniker is applied to an otherwise refined sedan is not evident in the Aurion.
With a 5 star ANCAP safety rating, VSC (Stability Control) and the usual line up of active and passive safety features including driver and passenger front, side, and front/rear curtain airbags, the Aurion Sportivo SX6 offers comfort, safety and refinement up there with any big six, and with a sporty flavour.
Fuel consumption at a smidgen under 10l/100km is acceptable if not startlingly frugal, and places it between the slightly more hungry Falcon and Holden's leaner new SIDI Commodore SV6.
Towing capacity is rated at 500kg unbraked and 1,600kg braked, and at $48,990 it is priced between $3,000 and $5,000 under the Falcon XR6 and Commodore SV6.
So, in answer to the question we posed ourselves earlier, we think Toyota Australia has got the formula right and that the Aurion Sportivo SX6 measures up very well indeed amongst the rivals it pitches itself against.