Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £16,485 to £27,515
Space, reliability, comfort, strong diesels, low running costs, safety kit, good stereo
Dull image, unimaginative interior, not at all sporty
Not desperately exciting, but very thoroughly thought out and pleasant to drive. A sensible buy.
The Avensis has scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests for occupant protection, though only one for pedestrian protection (still a weak area for most manufacturers). The Avensis certainly has the equipment to score well, featuring full-length curtain airbags for head protection in the front and rear, twin dual-stage front airbags, side 'bags and - unusually - an additional bag located in the steering column area to protect the driver's legs. All models get ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, the 2.0 petrol adding traction control, VSC anti-skid control and emergency brake assist. Toyota is proud of the Avensis's brakes, whose stopping distances rival those of a Porsche 911. An elaborate - and potentially annoying - seatbelt reminder system is also standard. Thief-proofing includes an alarm, double locking, a transponder immobiliser, etched glass and ID marking of major components.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Toyota Avensis
wrote on 27 03 2008