Toyota Avensis
The Toyota Avensis is a large family car manufactured in the United Kingdom by Toyota of Japan. The model range includes four-door saloon, five-door hatch and estate.On motorway trips, the Toyota Avensis settles into a comfortable cruising mode, coping easily with rough surfaces. The latest models boast lightweight, low friction components that are designed to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel consumption.
There is a choice of six engines; there are two petrol units, a 1.6 litre producing 130bhp and a 1.8 litre with 145bhp; four diesels, 2.0, 124bhp, 2.2 litre, 148bhp, 2.2 litre D-CAT, 148bhp and a 2.2 litre, pumping out 180bhp.
The pick of the bunch is probably the 124bhp 2.0 litre D-4D, which although a little on the noisy side, manages 55.4mpg and 135g/km of CO2, while recording a 0 to 62mph time of just under 10 seconds. The 1.8 litre petrol engine is also a nice surprise; using Toyota's Valvematic technology to ensure the most efficient use of fuel, it produces 145bhp and is incredibly smooth.
The car’s ergonomically sound interior is simple in design and greets you when you step inside. The Toyota Avensis is hardly striking to look at, but to its credit, has been very well put together. Over the years, apart from the odd glitch, Toyota have built a strong reputation for producing reliable cars and this model should be no exception.
The Toyota Avensis feels solid and robust, but some cheap feeling interior materials do let it down. Overall, the Toyota Avensis is a comfortable and solid feeling car to drive.