Toyota AVENSIS D-4D RANGE
The Avensis D-4D Diesel Range Shows
Toyota At The Top Of Their Game. Andy Enright Indulges In Some Inconspicuous Consumption.
You probably dont know Alan Phillips. I dont and Im glad for it, for here is a man of quite maniac zeal, a man who worships at the grail of fuel consumption. Seated comfortably behind the wheel of a Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre D-4D diesel, this eccentric chap completed the 839 mile journey between John O Groats and Lands End on 50 litres of fuel, averaging an almost unbelievable 75mpg.
To be fair to Mr Phillips, his quest did raise a lot of money for the Children In Need charity, but nonetheless its an arcane task that involves some esoteric driving techniques. You or I are more likely to see something like 48mpg.
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This figure is still something many of us would associate with a supermini or citycar rather than a hefty medium-range family saloon like the Avensis. Doors that thunk shut like bank vaults and interiors that feature more airbags than you could count on one hand dont normally record class-leading fuel consumption figures but the Avensis D-4D seems to defy the laws of physics. How can a car return fuel figures more akin to a
Smart car and at the same time be built so tough that it can attain the highest EuroNCAP safety score to date, racking up some 34 points and a maximum five-star rating? Only Toyotas engineers can answer that one. The Avensis D4-D range encompasses saloon, liftback and estate versions and opens at £15,645.
Two D-4D variants are offered, a smaller 2.0-litre 114bhp unit and a 148bhp 2.2-litre range-topper. The 2.
0-litre powerplant delivers a decent slug of torque 280Nm to be precise - and performance is reasonable, the Avensis hitting 60mph in 11.2 seconds before running on to a top speed of 121mph. The 2.2-litre D4-D is more advanced as well as being more powerful.
It pumps out 310Nm, delivers a 9.3s 0-60mph time and can hit a top speed of 130mph. Its a second generation common-rail diesel which means improvements have been made to the combustion process which produce greater refinement and efficiency even than the first generation common-rail units. Fuel economy for this larger powerplant is almost identical to that of the 2.
0-litre option. Emissions figures of around 155g/km for both D4-D engines backed up by the added bonus of Euro4 emissions compliance (which knocks 3 per cent off benefit in kind taxation) means that the Avensis D-4D models are bound to be popular with fleet managers. Whole life costs are admirably low due to a combination of low insurance ratings, reduced servicing time, competitive parts pricing and sturdy residual values. In fact,
Toyota reckon that some 60 per cent of all Avensis sales will go to fleet customers.
Trim levels depend on your choice between five options: T2, the rather clumsily-named T3-S and T3-X, T4 and T Spirit. All come with air conditioning, an alarm immobiliser, power windows and mirrors, ABS and an excellent quality stereo system. The T3 grades are basically there to differentiate between those who want satellite navigation (T3-S) from those who simply want extra luxury (T3-X) and this is the entry-point for buyers wanting the 2.2-litre engine.
T4 offers both, while the plushest T Spirit level also includes power seats with leather trim.
"The fuel economy figures are something many of us would associate with a supermini or citycar rather than a hefty medium-range family saloon like the Avensis"
Safety has been prioritised with all models getting no fewer than nine airbags as standard, including a driver knee airbag which represents a UK first. Secreted beneath the steering column, this system protects the drivers knees and lower legs from injury. Step from an old Avensis into the cabin of the current car and youll spot no significant family resemblance. The doors thunk shut like a
Lexus and it was to their luxury division that Toyota looked to imbue the Avensis interior with a genuinely upmarket feel.
It seems to have worked. Soft touch plastics, neat metallic finishes and a huge cabin make the Avensis feel a class up. Better sound insulation has reduced weight and decreased noise, but to give some illustration as to how seriously Toyota took refinement, they didnt choose the most refined car in the class lets say the
Vauxhall Vectra as a comparison. Instead they chose the Lexus LS430 as a benchmark and claim that even at 124mph, there is zero wind noise from the door mirrors.
The Mondeo and the
Peugeot 407 were identified as class leaders in the area of steering feel, handling and ride and Toyota have tuned the steering for better feedback. The compact strut front suspension is similar to that of the Corolla, but the rear is a modified version of the Celicas multilink system. One advantage of this is that it reduces intrusion into the luggage bay, the saloon version featuring a 520-litre boot. The exterior styling is neat, if a little forgettable and perhaps the only area of the latest car thats in any way disappointing.
The nose features the Toyota family face and the bonnet is very compact. Viewed in profile, the stub nose and boot are dominated by the huge sleekly domed cabin, the high waistline giving an impression of rigid solidity. Its almost as if Toyota were overanxious to underline the Avensis newfound gravitas. Compared to its predecessor, it is 110mm longer and 55mm higher with a 70mm increase in wheelbase.
The driver sits further forward and higher, maximising rear legroom. The Toyota Avensis D4-D may be understated but it has a great deal going for it. It feels reassuringly solid and the diesel engines have some spirit to them as well as the predictably excellent fuel economy and emissions showing. Although the car scores well on almost every conceivable objective measure, it lacks the bold styling or edgy personality of some of its more high profile rivals.
Still, those who choose to overlook the Avensis D4-D line up may be missing out on the most well rounded contender in this corner of the market. More well rounded even than Alan Phillips? Well leave that up to you to decide.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota Avensis D-4D diesel range
PRICES: £15,645 - £21,895 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-11
PERFORMANCE: [2.0] 0-60mph 11.2s / Max Speed 121mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0] (urban) 37.7mpg / (extra urban) 57.6mpg / (combined) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Dual front, side, and curtain airbags, drivers knee airbag, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX child
seat fixings
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height mm) 4630/1760/1480
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