Adventure with the advancing Avensis
Car manufacturers make a fairly big song and dance of claiming how they take notice of what buyers of their cars want when they upgrade. They canvass brand loyalty customers and trumpet their findings. And generally they do incorporate major concerns which they see as an improvement to their products – obviously taking into account cost, writes Sharon Walters.
Toyota go one further and not only talk to buyers who have crossed the threshold of their showrooms but also drivers of other cars as well. The Japanese firm did this with the latest Avensis and appear to have listened well and used the information to make what was a good product even better.
And what is good news for the UK is the car is made at Toyota's long-established plant near Derby – as have more than 1,711 Avensis across four generations that have appeared on European roads since the original was launched in late 1997. Plus the car was designed and engineered at Toyota's European development centre. Japanese by name but not by nature.
This latest version saw a new style, new engines and some pretty innovative technology. Toyota has always been know for quality, durability and reliability and that has been continued and further improved upon.
Avensis has appealed to both private and the fleet/business market but the latter has always taken the lion's share. Both revealed they wanted prestige, luxury and elegance and they have certainly got it. Saloon and tourer were targetted with five main areas of improvement:
Styling
Sensory quality and comfort
Safety
Equipment and value for money
Driving pleasure and running costs
Avensis has two diesel engines at the heart of its range: a 1.6 unit and a 2.0-litre. I drove the 2.0 litre Tourer which, if your are a business user, produces 124g/km giving an initial 22 per cent BiK rate. You also get more than 68mpg in an extra urban driving cycle according to claimed figures by Toyota. I didn't quite achieve that. But on one of my regular visits north of the border I did get fairly close. Not to be sniffed at in a 408 mile journey combining motorways (and hold-ups), city and rural driving. It positively soaked up the motorway driving with little cabin noise intrusion and a smooth ride, as indeed it was on the winding country roads.
Inside the cabin is well laid out and high quality with very comfortable seats and an excellent smart driver's information display and media system. I know some people sneer at this but there are also plenty of cubbyholes and decent sized glovebox – I despair at some of the totally useless 'slots' left in some cars. Better to do away with the glovebox altogether. And joy of joys, a space saver tyre!
Active and Excel grades mark the entry point and top of the range with Business Edition and Business Edition Plus versions at the heart of the line-up. Across the board, specifications secure high levels of safety, comfort and convenience, not least with the standard provision of Toyota Safety Sense integrated active safety features on all models.
Key features of the Active grade include Pre-Crash Safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking, cruise control, air conditioning, six-speaker CD/radio audio, Bluetooth, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, LED rear and daytime running lights and power windows.
Business Edition adds to this strong foundation with the Toyota Touch 2 with Go touchscreen multimedia and navigation system, digital/DAB audio package with eight-inch display, reversing camera, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, automatic air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels and part-Alcantara seat upholstery. The active safety features extend to Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Warning and Road Sign Assist.
Business Edition Plus delivers further premium features including leather upholstery with Alcantara inserts, front fog lights with a cornering function, LED headlamps, smart entry and rear privacy glass. The LED daytime running lights gain light guides, creating a distinctive lighting signature.
At the top of the range, Excel grade adopts Toyota Touch 2 with Go Plus, adding more sophisticated navigation functions and access to additional connected services. The specification also embraces a 10-speaker audio system, full leather seat upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats with heaters and adaptive headlights that adjust automatically to improve illumination through bends and turns. The Excel Touring Sports gains a panoramic roof. And that was lovely for letting plenty of light in and making the cabin appear even more spacious.
This Avensis has advanced well.
Fact file
Toyota Avensis Excel Tourer
Engine: 2.0 litre D4D manual
Power: 141 bhp
0-62 mph: 9.8 seconds
Top speed: 124 mph
Fuel economy: 58.9mpg combined, 47.9 urban, 68.9 extra urban
