It’s surprising how far away some petrol engines are for CO2 compared to diesels.
Toyota‘s focus on emissions under the Optimal Drive banner has ensured the CO2 figure for its new 149PS Avensis 1.8 petrol saloon is well below the 161g/km capital allowance point at 154g/km. Comparatively, the petrol Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia come in at 189 and 182g/km respectively.
On paper the Avensis is the only sensible choice of petrol upper medium saloon. Apart from the BMW?318i, which is in a whole other price bracket, only VW‘s less powerful 122PS 1.4 TSi Passat and its Skoda Superb sibling with the same engine get under 161g/km. However, the Avensis’s 43.5mpg trumps all its rivals.
It’s not the most exciting, but it’s comfy, refined and well-built. And the costs equation is unmatched among volume petrol saloons.
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