Toyota Avensis D-4D Range : SLOW BURNER

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In diesel form Toyota's dependable Avensis is at its most cost-effective. Steve Walker reports.

Excitement, flair, passion these qualities can be overrated in a car. Yes you did read that correctly, just bear with me on this one. There's no question that beautiful, fast cars are the ones that motorists yearn to own but novelties can wear off. Once you've had your spine compacted by the `sports' suspension, fed the engine's insatiable appetite for fuel with your hard earned cash and received your thousandth disdainful sneer from a jealous pedestrian, a car that's comfortable, economical and unobtrusive might suddenly look very appealing. Toyota's Avensis revels in just such a steady-Eddy image and it's never steadier than with a D-4D diesel engine.

Toyotas tend to be slow burners. They might lack the wow-factor that's evident in some rivals but try living with one for a month or so and the practicality and depth of engineering usually shines through. That didn't stop Toyota striving to up its game by instilling some extra sparkle into its third generation Avensis. We're told that the car has `athletic styling' and `dynamic handling' as well as the more prosaic attributes we've come to expect. A thrilling Toyota Avensis is a prospect that will have family saloon rivals mightily worried. A number of choices are presented to the Avensis diesel customer. The entry-level option is the D-4D 130 which serves up 124bhp from its 2.0-litre capacity. Next comes the 2.2-litre D-4D 150 with 148bhp and the 2.2 D-CAT 150 engine with the same power output and Toyota's advanced particulate filter technology. Topping the line-up is the 175bhp 2.2-litre D-CAT 180. All the engines use the same four-cylinder common-rail injection configuration and all can cover the 0-60mph sprint in under 10 seconds. Even the D-4D 130 engine can deliver 310Nm or torque and it does so all the way from 1,800 to 2,400rpm. It pulls powerfully through the gears and its 9.7s 0-60mph acceleration coupled with a 124mph top speed should be enough for most. Choose the D-CAT 180 unit and there's an 8.5s sprint and a 137mph top speed which is quick for a family saloon with a diesel engine.

"The diesel-engined models are a particularly strong suit with their low running costs and muscular performance."

Toyota announced on unveiling this Avensis that "agility is nothing without stability". The Avensis has always felt a stable car and the latest model continues to emphatically tick that box but agility? The steering isn't as pointy or communicative as the best handling models in the medium range marketplace and the Avensis never feels quite as light on its feet through corners or when changing direction quickly. What it does do is serve up a comfortable ride and a relaxed experience on the motorway where the lack of cabin noise is particularly noteworthy. The diesel engines are less hushed at lower speeds, particularly before they've had the change to warm up but refinement generally is first rate. Does the latest Avensis have the visual drama to set hearts aflutter? The shallow side windows, defined shoulder line and steeply raked windscreen give some purpose and there are nice touches, particularly around the rear of the saloon version, but the unusual headlamps and deep grille still need work. Inside, the cabin is sober but predictably well put together. There are some upmarket finishes and the controls layout is as easy to fathom as you could wish for. The centre armrest with its sliding lid and generous storage space beneath is very well executed and the Tourer estate model features a load area that's cleverly thought out. In general, everything works and feels like it will continue to do so for a long time to come. The Avensis has resisted the trend amongst large family cars to indulge in serious middle age spread between generations. It's scarcely any bigger than the MKII car. This means that it lags behind the sector's most spacious offerings but there's still room for a couple of six-footers in the rear and the boot is nothing to be sniffed at. There's 543-litres of luggage capacity on offer in the Tourer and that only drops to 509-litres in the saloon. There are four Avensis trim levels; entry-level T2, the second rung TR, then T4 and T-Spirit. The basic package includes air-conditioning, a 6-speaker stereo system, electric heated mirrors, an electronic parking brake and remote central locking. The TR is the most popular trim level in the whole range and it adds 17" alloys wheels, front fog lights, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control with a speed limiter, electric rear windows and an AUX input for an MP3 player. Toyota isn't offering a hatchback, so buyers can either choose the saloon or the Tourer estate at a premium of just under £1,000. All models have clever VSC+ stability control which as well as selectively braking individual wheels can actually steer the car to correct a skid. The medium range family car sector has been losing customers to premium range compact executive models for some time now so there's no surprise that Toyota is following the lead of the market's other major players in aiming to push the Avensis upmarket. There's certainly plenty of equipment and advanced features but Toyota has resisted the urge to increase the price accordingly, keeping the car at similar levels to its predecessor. The Avensis showcases Toyota's Optimal Drive technology, an umbrella term for a whole series of innovations designed to improve fuel economy and emissions levels. As a whole, the Avensis diesel engines emit 10 per cent less CO2 than the units in the previous generation model and are right up amongst the cleanest units in the class. The D-4D 130 returns 134g/km and economy of over 55mpg. Even the powerful D-CAT 180 engine can achieve 157g/km and 48mpg. It's true that close to 80 per cent of all Avensis models will find their way into the hands of company car users and Toyota is at great pains to emphasise what a cost-effective product the Avensis will be for fleet customers. Strong residual values and long service intervals will work in conjunction with the efficient engines to maximise affordability. Toyota's Avensis is a mature proposition that's been improved in most major areas compared to the previous generation car. The diesel engined models are a particularly strong suit with their low running costs and muscular performance. Buyers seeking a sharp driving experience might be disappointed but virtually everywhere else, the big Toyota does a commendable job. Despite Toyota's best efforts, the latest Avensis isn't a car that schoolboys will have plastered across their bedroom walls, it's not even one that's going to captivate middle age motorists when they see it in the showroom. There are certainly more exciting cars, there are more exciting medium range family cars but we'd still advise you to give the Avensis a chance. It's comfortable, superbly built, economical and safe with some refreshingly practical design thrown in. In diesel form, the case gets stronger still and if you're buying a long term ownership proposition rather than a quick thrill, it stands comparison with the top contenders.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Toyota Avensis D-4D diesel range
PRICES: £17,545-£25,605 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-9
CO2 EMISSIONS: 134-160g/km
PERFORMANCE: [D-CAT 180] 0-60mph 8.5s / Top Speed 137mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [D-CAT 180] 38.2 (urban), 56.5 (extra urban), 47.9 (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS, EBD, BA, VSC+, ESS.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm [saloon] 4695/1810/1480