I Bought a 2016 Toyota Auris for Ksh1.4M, Here's Why I'd Recommend It 

‍Welcome to the Money254 Car Series — where we spotlight car owners across Kenya and their experiences behind the wheel. From first-time buyers to seasoned motorists, we dig into the motivations, costs, lessons, and joys of owning different car models in Kenya today.

This week, we feature Brian, who shares what it’s like owning a 2016 Toyota Auris.

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When I decided to buy a car in 2024, I wasn't chasing luxury or performance. I wanted a reliable hatchback that would keep my fuel costs low, be easy to maintain, and hold its value over time. 

After talking to a few friends with cars and various car dealers, the 2016 Toyota Auris kept coming up in every conversation.

I eventually bought an ex-Japan unit from a dealer in Mombasa for Ksh1.4 million. I chose to buy locally because I wanted to inspect the car physically before committing my money. It also meant avoiding the waiting period that comes with importing a vehicle directly from Japan.

More than a year later, I can confidently say it has been one of the most practical purchases I've made.

Also Read: The Toyota Fielder Has One Major Flaw, But I’d Still Buy It Again

Why I Chose the Toyota Auris

The biggest attraction was its practicality. The Auris has built a reputation in Kenya for being economical, reliable, and easy to maintain. I also liked that it has excellent resale value, which means I won't lose too much money if I decide to sell it in the future.

Being a hatchback, it offers enough room for my day-to-day needs. Another major selling point was the availability of spare parts. Since it shares many mechanical components with other Toyota models, I knew maintaining it would be relatively straightforward.

Most of my driving revolves around my daily commute to work in Nairobi. On weekends, my family and I occasionally travel to Meru, and the Auris has proven to be a dependable highway companion.

Fuel Economy

If there is one thing that keeps me smiling every time I visit a petrol station, it is the fuel consumption. My Auris comes with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which I consider the most practical option for Kenyan roads.

Within the city, I average around 14 kilometres per litre, while on the highway, I hit approximately 18 kilometres per litre.

Also Read: My Wallet Hates Me for Buying This Toyota Mark X

Maintenance and Spare Parts

One of the biggest advantages of owning a Toyota in Kenya is that maintenance rarely becomes a stressful affair.

I carry out a minor service every 5,000 kilometres at a cost of about Ksh7,000. Every 10,000 kilometres, I schedule a major service that typically costs around Ksh15,000.

The most common repairs I've encountered have involved the suspension and bumper, largely because of the high bumps and potholes in some of the roads.

Fortunately, getting spare parts has never been a problem. The Auris shares many engine and suspension components with other Toyota models, meaning parts are readily available in Nairobi.

As much as I enjoy driving the Auris, there is one weakness I constantly wish Toyota had addressed. The ground clearance. The Auris sits relatively low. 

On estate roads riddled with potholes or when travelling to Meru, I often find myself slowing to a crawl over speed bumps to avoid scraping the underbody or front bumper.

The other area that could use improvement is cabin insulation. Once speeds climb beyond 100 km/h, the road and wind noise become quite noticeable. 

While it isn't unbearable, better soundproofing would make long-distance drives much more comfortable.