The new Avensis will reward its loyal followers and could even win a few converts with its more adventurous and stylish approach writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
PEOPLE CAN BE unfair about the Avensis: motoring hacks in particular. There is a degree of animosity among car fans towards the fact that, despite all our efforts to highlight the passion that pulsates through the motoring world, the masses still vote with their heads rather than their hearts. Why aren’t you all driving temperamental Italian sports cars? Sure aren’t you all in debt anyway?
Despite the best endeavours of the motoring press, Irish buyers still plump for the safe choice, and for years the Avensis has been something of an iconic option for the conservative Irish motorist.
It has never been the most dynamic car in its class nor the best attired; rather, it has been the motoring equivalent of the warm woolly vest. Not the most fashionable accessory, but eminently practical and coming into its own in more difficult times.
Yet when the economic sun shone, we swooned at the new metal on forecourts, the premium badges from Germany that were now attainable, thanks to bank managers who were slipping €50 notes into our pockets every time we met them on the street. Toyota seemed rather mundane for our new jet-set multi-home, multi-holiday lifestyle; it was just too functional.
How the worm has turned. Reality has bitten and in these dark days the old reliables are taking on a new glow. It is at times like these, with all the uncertainty in everyday life, that you start to appreciate the strength of Toyota’s offering.
In the battle between head and heart, for the average family already over-stretched with financial commitments, the last thing they need is to take chances with their means of transport. Established brands return when we are watching the cents and worrying about the future of our jobs, like comfort blankets to a frightened child. We thought we’d grown too sophisticated for functional Japanese fare. Little did we know.
The Avensis has garnered a reputation that is probably the most envied in the industry when it comes to reliability. Competitors might appeal to the heart, but the head will always win out.
In keeping with our Celtic Tiger prejudices, we were never a fan of the outgoing model, but it was always for reasons of the heart. It was mechanically sound, it did what it said for the price, but it lacked any passion, as if it was created by robots.
Things are changing, however. Not only have we been hit over the face with the wet dishcloth of recession, but Toyota has busied itself in recent years revamping its fare. For a start, the little iQ is a fantastically funky little city car, if overpriced for the Irish market. The Aygo is the best proposition in its class, and while the Auris doesn’t do it for us, its saloon sibling the Corolla is a seriously good proposition with the higher specifications, and it challenges entry-level family saloons – including the Avensis – in terms of value for money. The new Urban Cruiser is funky, the Prius (rightly or wrongly) remains an icon of the Greens, and the Land Cruiser remains the unquestioned king of all it surveys; not a bad fleet to have on your forecourt by any means.
Toyota has always played it safe in the family-saloon sector. So with all that heritage behind it, the new model is actually quite a pleasant surprise. For a start, the exterior styling has been tweaked to give it a “big car” image. It may not be as smart or sporting as the Opel Insignia and lacks the panache of the Citroën C5, but it has a lot more character than of old.
For a start, there’s a more distinctive front nose and inside there have been substantial improvements. True, the plastics are better on some rivals, but the entire package works very well and certainly on the Strata version, the finish is worthy of the family-car price tag. You get the impression that there has been a lot more effort put into this new version. Could they have done better? Yes. Will owners be disappointed? No. This never feels cheap or low-cost.
There is the usual array of cubbyholes and stowage areas, while the rear seating is certainly capable of taking two or even three adults comfortably, which is good news for the car’s loyal following of taxi drivers. Similarly, there is plenty of room in the boot, although with 509 litres on offer, some of its rivals do offer a little more space.
A word about the ride quality. In our international test-drive report some weeks ago, our colleague referred to suspension jitters in the test car. Toyota contacted us afterwards to assure us that the Irish version was going to have its suspension adjusted specifically for Irish roads and that, given the importance of the Irish market to Toyota in Europe (Ireland is one of the few countries where the brand is regularly number one), this would be the case on all cars imported here. “Wait and see for yourself,” was the advice.
Well, after hundreds of miles of varying road quality, and all of it Irish, we must accept that Toyota’s changes have done the job and potential buyers will suffer from none of the jitters at play during the international launch. While tackling some very serious cross-winds at one stage it handled itself with admirable poise. It doesn’t get flustered very easily.
Similarly, the seat comfort in the car we tested offered nothing but comfort. On one particular journey we were behind the wheel for five hours and suffered no discomfort either during or after the trip. In fact, from the switchgear to the steering, the Avensis is a very smooth package. There’s nothing clunky or grating in the car and that’s what gives it a positive feel.
In terms of power output, our test car was the 1.6-litre entry-level petrol version. While its pick-up time was better than rivals from a standing start to 100km/h, the mid-range needed a little work to push it along.
The overall Avensis engine range is quite strong and while the 1.6-litre offers decent all-round ability, it’s the 2.2-litre diesel we would opt for when it comes to performance.
In terms of fuel economy, the 1.6-litre version might offer a respectable 6.5L/100km (43.5mpg) with 132bhp, but the 2.2-litre diesel pips it with a fuel economy of 5.5L/100km (53mpg) and an emissions rating of 147g/km, five lower than the entry-level petrol. That last figure means that not only do you save on fuel, but the tax is the same for both cars at €302 a year. Mind you, it does mean a price increase of about €5,000, so the investment in extra power is significant. If the budget is under scrutiny then the 1.6-litre will be more than adequate.
The lasting impression is of a seriously good quality family car, one that initially surprised us with its smoothness and ability and later won us over with its level of comfort and ability. We came to it with several pre-conceived reservations but after a week, they have been well and truly laid to rest.
The heart may still be with the Insignia, and dynamically the Mondeo may still top the chart, but we can certainly appreciate the appeal of the Avensis to its enormous, loyal following and this car certainly seems to be worthy of their loyalty.
For once we have an Avensis that deserves to be taken seriously by motoring fans as well as practical family buyers.
Toyota Avensis 1.6 4dr Strata
CC:1598 0-100km/h: 10.3 secs
BHP:132
Consumption:6.5 L/100km (43.5mpg)
Motor tax:€302
Price:€27,990
Engine:1598cc petrol engine putting out 132bhp @ 6,400rpm and 160Nm of torque @ 4,000rpm
Specification:ABS with EBD plus brake assist; VSC+ and TRC (VSC on/off switch) stability control package; two rear Isofix points; front dual airbags; front and rear curtain shield airbags; knee airbag; side airbags; electronic fuel cut-off system; six-speaker radio/CD audio system; 60:40 split rear folding seats; steering wheel audio controls; auto headlamps with dusk sensor; air-con with clean-air filter; electric parking brake; front power windows; space-saver spare wheel
L/100km (mpg):urban: 8.3 (34); extra-urban: 5.4 (52.3); combined 6.5 (43.5)
CO2 emissions:152 g/km
Tax:VRT – 20 per cent; motor tax – €302
Price:€27,990 (€25,565 to €37,650)