Toyota Avensis Saloon 1.8 Valvematic Multidrive saloon & 2.2 D-4D 150 manual Tourer Road Test Report

Performance

I tested two out of a total of no less than 26 new Avensis ‘Optimal Drive’ variations. The 1.8-litre now boasts ‘Valvematic’, a significant development of existing VVT-i technology. Coupled with the Multidrive CVT-type auto transmission, this 145bhp petrol engine delivers adequate power and speed (0-62 in 10.4secs, 124mph max) but it needs plenty of throttle to extract the best from it. The 148bhp 2.2 D-4D (with 6-speed manual) employs new fuel-injection technology, is less revvy, ultimately a little faster (0-62 in 9.2 secs, 131mph max, as tested) and about £1,600 more expensive, but with so many Avensis variants available we shouldn’t compare this pair too closely.

Ride & Handling

Though safe, predictable and perfectly adequate in every way, the outgoing Avensis never set the world on fire as a driving machine. Despite numerous and significant improvements, eg. wider track, larger wheels, and heavily revised steering and suspension, on normal roads in normal use the new Avensis remains perfectly adequate. I don’t doubt that on a test track or in extremis the new model can out-perform the old, but whatever improvements there may be are subtle. In fact, at very low speeds the new car’s ride can be jiggly, but other than that the new Avensis steers, handles and rides well, but not exceptionally well.

Build Quality & Reliability

According to Toyota, “The new Avensis aims to deliver a sense of complete confidence, confidence from knowing that car is designed and engineered with the highest standards of quality and reliability in mind.” I certainly wouldn’t dispute that, not least because the outgoing model recently won the a top German award for quality, while two leading UK fleet magazines hailed it as New Fleet Car of the Year when it was introduced. A more recent survey showed that the Avensis was the most reliable model among 739,000 leased vehicles in the UK, and I’ve no reason to suppose that the new Avensis isn’t at least as good.

Safety & Security

The outgoing Avensis had a five-star EuroNCAP rating since 2003, and was named 2007’s safest car in a Swedish survey based on actual road accidents. The new model has been designed to be safer still. Active safety features include the latest-generation ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, while Steering Assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+) is new and also fitted as standard to all models. Passive safety items include seven airbags and active front seat headrests, plus there are advanced features like a pre-crash safety system and an ‘emergency brake signal’ that automatically activates flashing brake lights during heavy braking.

Space & Practicality

Toyota predicts that 55% of UK Avensis customers will choose the Tourer (or estate) version, with the remaining 45% likely to opt for the booted, 4-door saloon. In either there’s good space and comfort for passengers in both front and rear, although rear seat headroom isn’t overly generous in the saloon. Behind the saloon’s small boot opening there’s a pretty reasonable 509 litres of loadspace, while the Tourer has 543 litres, or more if you pile stuff up toward the roof. With the rear seats folded the Tourer’s capacity increases to 1,609 litres (or more) but, due to sleek styling, it’s no substitute for a van.

Ownership & Value

Relatively low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption – in this case 42.2 and 50.4mpg combined – make the new Avensis highly competitive in terms of VED and BiK taxes, while it’s already been independently predicted (by CAP) that the model will have the highest residual values in its class. Again, according to Toyota, “The new Avensis has been developed to give the best possible ownership experience, from the day it comes off the production line to the end of its lifecycle.” As long as you’re not looking for an exhilarating drivers’ car, I’d happily go along with that too.