Our Fleet Test Drive Review: Toyota Avensis Tourer - 1st Report
Date:
17 June 2009
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Author: Guy Bird
[3] A decent 543/1609-litre min/max overall load volume
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Category: | Estate | P11D price: | £22,385 | Key rival: | Ford Mondeo Estate | |
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I cannot confirm whether anyone has ever said "Nice car! What is it?" to owners of the previous two generations of the Avensis Tourer, but I can exclusively reveal variations on those words have been said to my face, without irony, on a few occasions already about our new long-term Toyota.
The third-generation model really does have presence, especially in side profile. Compare its short bonnet, raked-back windscreen and sloping roof - some 32mm lower than both my previous long-term incumbents the Ford Mondeo estate and Citroen C5 Tourer - for evidence.
Factor in the high waistline, muscular rear wheel arch shoulder flare plus, in T4 trim, a chrome accent around the whole window graphic, rear privacy glass and some decent alloys, and you have a bold and coherent look.
The quality continues inside. One below the top T-spirit spec, our T4 trim adds waxy-feel cream leather seats, a soft-touch textured dashboard and smart and unusually grained centre stack and door trims [1] that have the look of upmarket slate.
This Avensis Tourer's cabin really feels slick - another 'first' statement for the model I suspect. Beyond the comfort appointments we've opted for the 'Premium navigation' pack that adds a useful full-colour satnav, 10GB music hard drive and rear parking camera for £1470, plus the obligatory metallic paint for £370.
The Tourer's functionality has also impressed. Its boot boasts a wide load floor that lifts to reveal various trays [2] for steadying heavy shopping [3] and a decent 543/1609-litre min/max overall load volume.
It's early days on driving impressions - our car arrived from Toyota's stock after some 5000 miles so it's run-in already - but the engine seems refined and the ride excellent, with just a few niggles regarding a reluctant electronic handbrake light and slightly unresponsive steering. We'll come back to those in future reports as the new Avensis settles down into real life.
Toyota Avensis Tourer 2.2 D-4D 150 T4 5dr 6spd manual | Mileage | 6015 | Claimed combined consumption | 50.4mpg | Our average consumption | 36.5mpg | P11D price | £22,385 | Model price range | £16,560-£25,605 | CO2 (tax) | 150g/km/21% | BIK 20/40% per month | £78/£157 | Service interval | up to 20,000mls | Insurance | group 8E | Warranty | 3yrs/60,000mls | Boot space (min/max) | 543/1609 litres | Engine size/power | 2231cc/150PS | Top speed/0-62mph | 131mph/9.2secs | Why we’re running it | Can the Avensis live up to its new, sleeker and more fuel-efficient billing? | Positive | Smart new exterior, interior quality, ride | Negative | Annoying handbrake, steering response |
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