Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £16,485 to £27,515
Low running costs, well-equipped, fine engine range.
Unadventurous looks, diesel makes a racket when worked, excessive road noise.
New Avensis is still dull, but thanks to its low running costs, remains one well worth considering.
In 2003 the Toyota Avensis scored the maximum five stars for adult occupancy safety in the Euro NCAP crash tests. Engineers expect nothing less for the third generation model when Euro NCAP gets its hands on the new car.
All Avensis models are equipped with seven airbags as standard, including kneebags. Toyota also fits all Avensis models with active head restraints and ESP as standard.
Range-topping T-Spirit models with the 2.2-litre diesel and automatic transmission will be available from spring '09 with the firm's new Pre-Crash technology that predicts an accident using the adaptive cruise control's radar system. If it thinks a crash is imminent it tightens the seatbelts and applies full braking force.
A lane-keep assist and lane departure warning will also be made available. This system corrects the steering if it thinks you have unintentionally veered off course.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Toyota Avensis
wrote on 27 03 2008