What’s new: Toyota is the latest brand to slot a bigger diesel engine in its upper medium competitor. The Avensis is now offered with the 177PS 2.2-litre engine used in the Rav4 and Verso.
Excellent: The new Avensis is at its best on the motorway – it’s spookily quiet and high-speed ride is good. Also, given Toyota’s reputation, you just know you can expect it to be reliable.
Good: The 2.2 offers more than acceptable acceleration, although it seems to have a narrow power band and you run out of pull quickly. At 34.0p, the cost per mile figure is good, as is usually the case with Toyota.
Average: It’s not the world’s most fun car to drive, with lifeless steering being the main culprit. The Avensis also won’t stand out in any car parks, either.
Poor: The interior feels a little dated, with a large expanses of plastic. There are also a few undermining low-quality touches, such as the amount of handbrake travel before it bites.
Verdict: The Avensis is an easy, if uninspiring, car to live with, but the new engine is a welcome addition.
