Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Toyota Avensis 1.6D-4D Business Edition Plus
Price: £23,795 (range starts at £17,765)
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: four-door saloon
CO2 emissions: 109g/km (Band B, £20 per annum VED)
Combined economy: 67.2mpg
Top speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 11.7 seconds
Power: 112hp at 4,000rpm
Torque 270Nm at 1,750- to 2,250rpm
Boot space: 509 litres
What's this?
You're looking at the facelifted Toyota Avensis saloon, set to compete for retail and company business against the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Mazda6. In this latest version Toyota has allowed a more European influence in how it is styled both inside and out with good results. It is arguably the best looking Avensis to date and it is positive to see that Toyota has listened to criticism and improved the perceived quality of the materials used throughout the cabin. All cars now come equipped with an Autonomous Emergency Braking system that mitigates against a rear collision at speeds of between approximately 6- and 49mph.
How does it drive?
Much like the famous Bible quote "What he giveth with the right hand, the left hand taketh away", Toyota has made some big improvements in terms of sound insulation, only to expose other areas that were once masked. Increased levels of sound deadening in the floors and wheelarches mean that the wind noise around the door mirrors is more obvious, and at motorway speeds it becomes quite irritating. Space in the cabin is good though, with the redesigned front seats now offering up much more side support than before. Rear passenger legroom is at best average though the flat floor does make the journey more comfortable for the middle seat occupant.
In the engine bay there is now a BMW-sourced 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel unit that produces a modest 112hp. For most urban dwellers there is enough power in the engine to cope with the rigours of the daily commute. With 270Nm of torque on offer it might not look as appealing on paper as the more powerful 2.0-litre engine, but that peak torque figure arrives at 1,750rpm so you won't need to use too many revs to make progress and it feels every bit as driveable as the bigger engine. It's smooth too, both in terms of noise and vibration, while a light right foot will see it return close to the official 67.2mpg economy figure with relative ease.
Through the bends the new Avensis holds the road well and delivers a smooth ride. The suspension has been retuned to be initially softer for absorbing the lumps and bumps but firms up later in the stroke in order to help retain control over the body's movements. Additionally, more spot welds on the chassis, and stronger glue that holds in the windscreen, have been added in a bid to improve the car's overall rigidity. While it changes direction crisply enough, the reworked power steering could benefit from further calibration, as in its current guise it can feel a touch too heavy at slower speeds and the self-centring force is too strong. On the plus side the new steering wheel is nicely sized and feels of a much higher quality than before.
Verdict
Although there are only minor areas in which the new Avensis attracts criticism, it feels like Toyota has simply brought its flagship saloon up to par with its competition, rather than trying to surpass them. While it is still behind some of the most impressive cars in the class, such as the new Skoda Superb, the new Avensis is at least a noticeable improvement on its predecessor in terms of aesthetics and quality.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
